DR. DAVID G. SMITH
Doctor David G. Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mojave Air and Space Port, a world-renowned flight research center spanning 3300+ acres, hosting the latest and most advanced aeronautical designs. Here more than 60 companies are engaged in light industrial to highly advanced aerospace design, production, flight test and research to heavy rail industrial operations. Flight Research activities include endo- and exo- atmospheric craft supporting private sector and government-funded projects. The National Test Pilot School is also located here, training more test pilots than any other site in the world. Previously he was the Director of the Production and Flight Test Facility, Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California where he supported over 16,000 contract and government personnel on a 5,600-acre Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated business campus and industrial complex.
Doctor Smith entered the Air Force in 1982, commissioned through Officers Training School. He received his flight training at Mather Air Force Base, California. Selected for B-52's, he moved to Castle Air Force Base, California, attending the first Navigator Offensive Avionics Systems class graduating with top honors. His first formal tour was at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota as a Navigator and Instructor Navigator. Closure of B-52 operations there prompted a move to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, as a Navigator, Instructor Navigator, Radar Navigator, Instructor Radar Navigator, Flying Safety Officer, and Assistant Flight Commander. Here he was the lead navigator for the Wing's record setting performance in SAC's 1986 Bombing and Navigation Competition, winning 9 of 11 awards--including the coveted Fairchild Trophy; an achievement recognized by President Reagan. He was hand-picked from all B-52, B-1 and FB-111 crews to accompany General Chain, CINCSAC, to represent the SAC alert force receiving the David C. Schilling Award for the year’s most outstanding contribution to flight. Doctor Smith then moved to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as an Instructor, Flight Examiner and Standardization and Evaluation branch chief. There he completed the elite PAC ACES (Pacific Air Forces Advanced Combat Employment School) strike force course in the Philippines. Closing B-52 operations there Doctor Smith moved back to Castle Air Force Base as a Combat Crew Training School Instructor Radar Navigator, Flight Examiner, Branch Chief, and Executive Officer. Doctor Smith was instrumental in the complete revision of the B-52 curriculum shifting the focus from nuclear to conventional war fighting. As Castle closed he transferred to Beale Air Force Base where he served as the Assistant Chief Wing Planning Staff, Chief Wing Inspections and Chief Wing Command Post, directly impacting the critical worldwide U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance mission. He was then individually selected for the unique National Training Center serving as a Regimental Air Liaison Officer attached to the elite 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, instructing and evaluating the close air support mission in joint operations with the United States Army. Following this assignment he was by-name selected to support the experimental B-52 mission at Edwards Air Force Base, and then became the Deputy Director of the 412th Test Management Group with oversight over all of Edward’s flight test and evaluation efforts. He retired from active duty as the Edwards Inspector General.
Transitioning to Civilian Service he became the Edwards AFB Government Flight Representative overseeing all contractor flight and ground operations at Edwards until his appointment to the position of Senior Installation Support Director for Edwards AFB. Here he championed essential infrastructure and support capabilities directly influencing the flight test mission, until selected as the Director of Plant 42. Doctor Smith is a master navigator with over 3000 flying hours and a private pilot. He also serves as a Brigadier General in the Cal Guard. Doctor Smith was born a military dependent in Camp Zama, Japan, and calls Hawaii home. He is married to the former Denise Cook, and they share six children, a son Damien, and daughters, Daira, Darcie, Avalon, Bailee, and Madyson, and eight grandchildren.
EDUCATION
1976 Bachelor degree, General Studies/Chemistry, Chaminade University of Hawaii
1989 Squadron Officers School, in residence, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
1994 Masters of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1996 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2001 National Test Pilot School, Mojave, California
2002/06 Certified Acquisition Professional, Level 3, Test and Evaluation, Level 3, Project Management
2003 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2012 Doctor of Business Administration specializing in Aviation, Northcentral University, Arizona
Civilian Developmental Education: Leading Effectively Through Change, AF Civilian Leadership Course, Excellence in Government Fellowship
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1982 - November 1982, Officers Training School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. December 1982 - September 1983, Undergraduate Navigator Training, Mather AFB, California
3. September 1983 - June 1984, B-52 Combat Crew training, Castle AFB, California
4. June 1984 - October 1985, B-52 Navigator, and Instructor Navigator, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
5. October 1985 - October 1989, B-52 Navigator, Instructor Navigator, Radar Navigator, Instructor Radar Navigator, and Assistant Flight Commander, Fairchild AFB, Washington
6. October 1989 - May 1990, Instructor Radar Navigator, Flight Examiner, and Standardization and Evaluation Branch Chief, Andersen AFB, Guam.
7. May 1990 - August 1995, Executive/Quality Officer, B-52 Combat Crew Training Squadron Instructor Radar Navigator, Flight Examiner, Academic Instructor, Branch Chief, Castle AFB, California
8. August 1995 - September 1998, Assistant Chief Wing Planning Staff, Chief Wing Inspections, Chief Wing Command Post, Beale AFB, California
9. September 1998 - June 2001, Regimental ALO/Flight Commander, Deputy Commander/Executive Officer, Det 2 USAF Air Ground Operations School, National Training Center, Ft Irwin, California
10. June 2001 - December 2010, Chief, B-52 Avionics and Weapons Integration and Experimental Test Flight Radar Navigator; Acting and Deputy Director, Project Management Directorate & Test Management Group; Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq; Installation Inspector General, Edwards AFB, California
11. May 2011 - October 2013, Government Flight Representative, Edwards AFB California
12. June 2011 – June 2014, Commander 163rd Reconnaissance Wing Support Unit, March ARB, California
13. October 2013 – July 2020, Installation Support Director, Edwards AFB California
14. June 2014 – February 2021, Commander, Air Support Command, State of California
15. July 2020 – July 2024, Director, Production and Flight Test Facility, 412 Test Wing OL/Plant 42
16. February 2021 – Present, Special Assistant to the Commanding General, Cal Guard
17. July 2024 – Present, Chief Executive Officer, Mojave Air and Space Port
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Master Navigator (military), Private Pilot (civilian) Flight Hours: Approximately 3000
Aircraft: B-52G and H; other Aircraft: F-16, T-37, T-43, OH-58, UH-1, UH-60, Cessna 172, Chipmunk (x), Derringer (x), Dove (x), Merlin (x) "x denotes experimental"
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit (CA) with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Arial Achievement Medal,
Joint Services Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Combat Readiness Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and National Defense Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Excellence in Government Fellow
15th Air Force Crew of the Year
1986 SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition Lead Navigator, wining the Crumm, Ryan, Lemay, Dougherty, Mathis, and coveted Fairchild Trophies
Represented SAC's alert force with CINCSAC at David C. Schilling award Presentation Honor Graduate, Joint Firepower Controller Course, USAF Battlestaff Training School
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, 4 November 1982 Lieutenant Colonel, 1 May 1999
First Lieutenant, 4 November 1984 Colonel (CA), 5 March 2013
Captain, 4 November 1986 Brigadier General (CA), 1 August 2016
Major, 1 October 1994
Doctor David G. Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mojave Air and Space Port, a world-renowned flight research center spanning 3300+ acres, hosting the latest and most advanced aeronautical designs. Here more than 60 companies are engaged in light industrial to highly advanced aerospace design, production, flight test and research to heavy rail industrial operations. Flight Research activities include endo- and exo- atmospheric craft supporting private sector and government-funded projects. The National Test Pilot School is also located here, training more test pilots than any other site in the world. Previously he was the Director of the Production and Flight Test Facility, Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California where he supported over 16,000 contract and government personnel on a 5,600-acre Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated business campus and industrial complex.
Doctor Smith entered the Air Force in 1982, commissioned through Officers Training School. He received his flight training at Mather Air Force Base, California. Selected for B-52's, he moved to Castle Air Force Base, California, attending the first Navigator Offensive Avionics Systems class graduating with top honors. His first formal tour was at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota as a Navigator and Instructor Navigator. Closure of B-52 operations there prompted a move to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, as a Navigator, Instructor Navigator, Radar Navigator, Instructor Radar Navigator, Flying Safety Officer, and Assistant Flight Commander. Here he was the lead navigator for the Wing's record setting performance in SAC's 1986 Bombing and Navigation Competition, winning 9 of 11 awards--including the coveted Fairchild Trophy; an achievement recognized by President Reagan. He was hand-picked from all B-52, B-1 and FB-111 crews to accompany General Chain, CINCSAC, to represent the SAC alert force receiving the David C. Schilling Award for the year’s most outstanding contribution to flight. Doctor Smith then moved to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as an Instructor, Flight Examiner and Standardization and Evaluation branch chief. There he completed the elite PAC ACES (Pacific Air Forces Advanced Combat Employment School) strike force course in the Philippines. Closing B-52 operations there Doctor Smith moved back to Castle Air Force Base as a Combat Crew Training School Instructor Radar Navigator, Flight Examiner, Branch Chief, and Executive Officer. Doctor Smith was instrumental in the complete revision of the B-52 curriculum shifting the focus from nuclear to conventional war fighting. As Castle closed he transferred to Beale Air Force Base where he served as the Assistant Chief Wing Planning Staff, Chief Wing Inspections and Chief Wing Command Post, directly impacting the critical worldwide U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance mission. He was then individually selected for the unique National Training Center serving as a Regimental Air Liaison Officer attached to the elite 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, instructing and evaluating the close air support mission in joint operations with the United States Army. Following this assignment he was by-name selected to support the experimental B-52 mission at Edwards Air Force Base, and then became the Deputy Director of the 412th Test Management Group with oversight over all of Edward’s flight test and evaluation efforts. He retired from active duty as the Edwards Inspector General.
Transitioning to Civilian Service he became the Edwards AFB Government Flight Representative overseeing all contractor flight and ground operations at Edwards until his appointment to the position of Senior Installation Support Director for Edwards AFB. Here he championed essential infrastructure and support capabilities directly influencing the flight test mission, until selected as the Director of Plant 42. Doctor Smith is a master navigator with over 3000 flying hours and a private pilot. He also serves as a Brigadier General in the Cal Guard. Doctor Smith was born a military dependent in Camp Zama, Japan, and calls Hawaii home. He is married to the former Denise Cook, and they share six children, a son Damien, and daughters, Daira, Darcie, Avalon, Bailee, and Madyson, and eight grandchildren.
EDUCATION
1976 Bachelor degree, General Studies/Chemistry, Chaminade University of Hawaii
1989 Squadron Officers School, in residence, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
1994 Masters of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1996 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2001 National Test Pilot School, Mojave, California
2002/06 Certified Acquisition Professional, Level 3, Test and Evaluation, Level 3, Project Management
2003 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2012 Doctor of Business Administration specializing in Aviation, Northcentral University, Arizona
Civilian Developmental Education: Leading Effectively Through Change, AF Civilian Leadership Course, Excellence in Government Fellowship
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1982 - November 1982, Officers Training School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. December 1982 - September 1983, Undergraduate Navigator Training, Mather AFB, California
3. September 1983 - June 1984, B-52 Combat Crew training, Castle AFB, California
4. June 1984 - October 1985, B-52 Navigator, and Instructor Navigator, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
5. October 1985 - October 1989, B-52 Navigator, Instructor Navigator, Radar Navigator, Instructor Radar Navigator, and Assistant Flight Commander, Fairchild AFB, Washington
6. October 1989 - May 1990, Instructor Radar Navigator, Flight Examiner, and Standardization and Evaluation Branch Chief, Andersen AFB, Guam.
7. May 1990 - August 1995, Executive/Quality Officer, B-52 Combat Crew Training Squadron Instructor Radar Navigator, Flight Examiner, Academic Instructor, Branch Chief, Castle AFB, California
8. August 1995 - September 1998, Assistant Chief Wing Planning Staff, Chief Wing Inspections, Chief Wing Command Post, Beale AFB, California
9. September 1998 - June 2001, Regimental ALO/Flight Commander, Deputy Commander/Executive Officer, Det 2 USAF Air Ground Operations School, National Training Center, Ft Irwin, California
10. June 2001 - December 2010, Chief, B-52 Avionics and Weapons Integration and Experimental Test Flight Radar Navigator; Acting and Deputy Director, Project Management Directorate & Test Management Group; Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq; Installation Inspector General, Edwards AFB, California
11. May 2011 - October 2013, Government Flight Representative, Edwards AFB California
12. June 2011 – June 2014, Commander 163rd Reconnaissance Wing Support Unit, March ARB, California
13. October 2013 – July 2020, Installation Support Director, Edwards AFB California
14. June 2014 – February 2021, Commander, Air Support Command, State of California
15. July 2020 – July 2024, Director, Production and Flight Test Facility, 412 Test Wing OL/Plant 42
16. February 2021 – Present, Special Assistant to the Commanding General, Cal Guard
17. July 2024 – Present, Chief Executive Officer, Mojave Air and Space Port
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Master Navigator (military), Private Pilot (civilian) Flight Hours: Approximately 3000
Aircraft: B-52G and H; other Aircraft: F-16, T-37, T-43, OH-58, UH-1, UH-60, Cessna 172, Chipmunk (x), Derringer (x), Dove (x), Merlin (x) "x denotes experimental"
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit (CA) with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Arial Achievement Medal,
Joint Services Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Combat Readiness Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and National Defense Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Excellence in Government Fellow
15th Air Force Crew of the Year
1986 SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition Lead Navigator, wining the Crumm, Ryan, Lemay, Dougherty, Mathis, and coveted Fairchild Trophies
Represented SAC's alert force with CINCSAC at David C. Schilling award Presentation Honor Graduate, Joint Firepower Controller Course, USAF Battlestaff Training School
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, 4 November 1982 Lieutenant Colonel, 1 May 1999
First Lieutenant, 4 November 1984 Colonel (CA), 5 March 2013
Captain, 4 November 1986 Brigadier General (CA), 1 August 2016
Major, 1 October 1994