New York Air National Guard promotes Manlius Guard officer

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Col. Michael Smith, 174th Attack Wing Maintenance Group commander, pinned on the rank of colonel with help from his family at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, N.Y. on Jan. 5, 2015

SYRACUSE, NY (01/14/2015)(readMedia)-- New York Air National Guard officer, and Manlius resident, Michael R. Smith was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony held on Monday, January 5 at Hancock Field Air National Guard base.

Smith, currently serves as the Maintenance Group Commander at Hancock Field Air National Guard base in Syracuse. He is a full-time employee of the New York Air National Guard.

Smith graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He is a command pilot with more than 4900 flying hours, including over 50 combat missions and 200 combat support missions in various operations to include Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle.

He attended T-38A flight training school from 1991-1992 and then served as a T-38A Instructor Pilot until 1994 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

He transferred to Luke Air Force Base and was stationed there from 1994-1995 where he attended initial F-16 qualification training. He served as Chief of Wing Flight Safety while at Eielson AFB, Alaska from 1995-2001 before serving with the 174th Attack Wing, Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, New York in a number of positions from 2001 to present.

Smith's awards include several awards including the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

He and his wife Ann Smith have two daughters.