Col. Wendel Smith Takes Command of 224th Air Defense Group of Eastern Air Defense Sector

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Col. Wendel A. Smith

ROME, NY (06/06/2015)(readMedia)-- Col. Wendel A. Smith formally took command today of the New York Air National Guard's 224th Air Defense Group (ADG) today during a ceremony at the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Smith received command before a crowd of about 100 family, friends and fellow members of the National Guard. The ceremony was presided over by Maj. Gen. Verle Johnston, Jr., the Commander of the New York Air National Guard. Smith took command from Col. Wade F. Dewey, who is retiring.

"I'm proud to become the leader of such an outstanding organization and it is a personal honor to follow Col. Dewey, who has been a great commander and better friend," Smith said. "I look forward to leading the men and women of the 224th ADG as we continue to successfully conduct our critical, around-the-clock air defense mission."

Smith previously served as the Commander of the 224th Air Defense Squadron, a subordinate unit of the 224th ADG. The 224th ADG is responsible for conducting the mission of the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS), a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters unit located at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome.

Staffed by the 224th ADG, a Canadian Forces detachment, liaison officers from the U.S. Army, Navy, Coast Guard and federal civilians, EADS is responsible the air defense of the eastern U.S. and directs a variety of assets to defend one million square miles of land and sea.

Smith is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography in 1989. He served as an Electronic Combat Pilot and F-16 Instructor Pilot during operational tours in Misawa Air Base, Japan and Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

After 10 years of active-duty service, Smith joined the New York Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing in 1999, where he served as F-16 Instructor Pilot, Chief of Squadron Scheduling and Flight Commander. In 2003, he was assigned to the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) and served as Fighter Officer Instructor, Chief of Current Operations and Chief, Operations Support.

In May 2011, Smith became the Commander of EADS Detachment 1 at the Joint Air Defense Operation Center (JADOC), Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. He served there until being named EADS Deputy Commander, Operations in May 2012.

In January 2015, EADS operations directorate was converted into the 224th Air Defense Squadron and Smith became its Commander.

Smith is a command pilot with more than 2,200 hours in the F-16, including 217 combat hours in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle.

A resident of Baldwinsville, Smith is married and has one son.