Colonel Stephen Smith

Regiment Commander 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment

Colonel Stephen T. Smith graduated from Appalachian State University in 2000 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Aviation Branch. In 2002, after graduating from the Aviation Officers Basic Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Colonel Smith was assigned to Alpha Company, 228th Aviation Battalion at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras as a UH- 60A Platoon Leader. In January 2004, he was selected to serve as the Company Commander for Charlie Company, 228th Aviation Battalion in Honduras. In 2005, COL Smith completed the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Green Platoon, and was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR (Abn), at Fort Campbell, KY where he served as a Platoon Leader and Operations Officer. From June 2009 until June 2011, he served as a 160th SOAR (Abn) Special Mission Unit Liaison Officer and the Regiment Operations Officer. In 2011, Colonel Smith attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Upon returning to the 160th SOAR (Abn) in 2012, he took command of Charlie Company, 1-160th (Abn) and then served as the Battalion’s Operations Officer and Executive Officer. From 2016 to 2018, Colonel Smith served as a Joint Air Planner in the Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, NC. From June 2018 to June 2020, he was the Battalion Commander for 4th Battalion, 160th SOAR (Abn) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA before attending the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA. From July 2021 to May 2023 Colonel Smith served as the Chief of Staff for the US Army Special Operations Aviation Command before serving as the Joint Special Operations Command Director of Operations (J3), at Fort Liberty, NC from May 2023 to June 2024. Colonel Smith’s military education includes the Army Aviation Officer Basic Course, Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course, Army Aviation Captain’s Career Course, Army Command and General Staff College, Army War College, Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) (High Risk) School, UH-60A Aircraft Qualification Course, MH-60L/M Aircraft Qualification Courses, and Airborne School. Colonel Smith’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal (2OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Air Medal with “V” Device, Air Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Master Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge. Colonel Smith’s immediate family includes his wife Jessica, daughter Reagan, and Mother-in-Law Michele.