Naval aviation offers challenges that prepare young men and women for much more than simply "piloting" airplanes and meeting the demands of some of the toughest operational environments anyone can imagine. As a naval aviator Admiral Smith flew carrier-based light attack jet aircraft during multiple deployments to the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Western Pacific, and Indian oceans. These included three cruises in waters off North Vietnam where he flew over 280 combat missions. In this presentation, Admiral Smith discusses some of his most critical challenges that led him through his jet combat missions over Vietnam to the command of the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia.

The GE Aviation Lecture Series is made possible by the generous support of GE Aviation.