Col. Marty Smith, commander
314th Airlift Wing
Over a decorated military service career, Minnesotan Col. Marty Smith has had the opportunity to serve several assignments in the U.S. and abroad. He currently serves as commander of the 314th Airlift Wing, bringing his hitch full circle.
He said of the many experiences he has had over a long and decorated career, certain things stand out, not least of which is the unique relationship between Jacksonville’s Little Rock Air Force Base and the community it calls home.
“I think every location cherishes having an Air Force base in their backyard, but I don’t think it compares to Jacksonville, just for the involvement the community has,” he said. “You think about the history of this place and the families who got together and donated land to the federal government to get Little Rock at the front of the line for making this a base.
“I think that established the legacy in our community of support and pride that this is not just the Air Force’s base; this is Jacksonville’s base. This is central Arkansas’ Air Force base. Over the 26 years that I’ve been in the Air Force, the relationship with the community is the best I’ve seen.”
After receiving his commission in 2000 from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Smith’s career has taken him to posts in seven states, as well as Germany and Japan. He has been assigned to LRAFB four times and, in his current capacity, leads a team that trains and graduates more than 1,200 C-130 aircrew members annually from across the Department of Defense, Coast Guard and 47 partner nations.
Earlier this year, he took his final flight as a C-130 aviator. As his career winds down, he said he has been honored to have been a part of the Home of Herk Nation.
“This is the C-130 mecca,” he said. “If you’ve been a part of the C-130 mission, if you’ve flown a C-130 either as a pilot, loadmaster, flight engineer or navigator all over the world, you’ve come to Little Rock to train. This is where tactical airlift began, as we say. To have had the ability to positively implement the personnel and their families and take care of them the best we can has been the best accomplishment that I could ask for in my Air Force career.”
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