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Lance L. Smith | |
|---|---|
 General Lance L. Smith | |
| Born | September 18, 1946 Akron, Ohio, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1970-2008 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | U.S. Joint Forces Command NATO Supreme Allied Command for Transformation 7th Air Force Air Force Doctrine Center 4th Fighter Wing 27th Fighter Wing |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Purple Heart Air Medal (10) |
Lance L. Smith (born September 18, 1946)[1] is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation from November 10, 2005, to November 9, 2007. A highly decorated combat veteran, the general retired from active duty on January 1, 2008.
Smith entered the United States Air Force in 1970 after graduating from Virginia Tech and completing Officer Training School. He served two tours at The Pentagon and was Commandant of the NATO School at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Commandant of Air War College, and Vice Commander of Air University. He commanded two fighter wings and led two air expeditionary force deployments to Southwest Asia: AEF III and the 4th Air Expeditionary Wing. He flew more than 165 combat missions in Southeast and Southwest Asia in the A-1 Skyraider and the F-15E Strike Eagle. A command pilot, he has more than 3,000 hours in various military aircraft.