Brig. Gen. Kristoffer R. Smith is the Deputy Commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The USAFWC is organized under Air Combat Command into five wings and two named units with more than 13,000 military and civilian personnel serving in the 57th Wing, 53rd Wing, 99th Air Base Wing, 505th Command and Control Wing, 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, the Nevada Test and Training Range, and the Air Force Joint Test Program Office. The USAFWC conducts operational testing and tactics development programs, as well as advanced training schools, exercises and venues. The center develops innovative leaders and provides airmen with proven and tested technology, the most current tactics, academic training and opportunities to practice integrated force employment.
Brig. Gen. Smith received his commission as a distinguished graduate from the United States Air Force Academy in 1999. He is also a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and a graduate of the National Intelligence University and Eisenhower School. He has commanded at multiple levels, including the F-16 Weapons School squadron, an operations group both at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany and at the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, and at the wing level at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. His staff assignments include service with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii and Headquarters Air Combat Command. Brig. Gen. Smith is a command pilot with more than 2,000 hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon (“Viper”) and 185 combat hours. He deployed in support of operations Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Odyssey Dawn and Spartan Shield. Prior to his current position, Brig. Gen. Smith served as the Deputy Director of Plans, Programs and Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2004 USAF Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2010 Masters of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
2013 Masters of Science, Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C.
2018 Masters of National Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Eisenhower School, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2000–June 2001, Student Pilot, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
2. June 2001–January 2002, Student, F-16 Basic Qualification Course, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
3. February 2002–December 2004, F-16 Instructor and ECP, 55th and 79th FS, Shaw AFB, S.C.
4. December 2004–December 2005, F-16 Instructor, Flight Commander, 80th FS, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea
5. January 2006–December 2006, Project Officer, 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
6. January 2007–June 2007, Student, U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. June 2007–November 2008, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 86th FWS, Eglin AFB, Fla.
8. December 2008–July 2012, Assistant Director of Operations, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. August 2012–July 2013, Student, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C.
10. August 2013–March 2015, Director of Operations, 86th FWS, Eglin AFB, Fla.
11. July 2015–July 2017, Commander, 16th WPS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
12. August 2017–June 2018, Student, National Defense University, Eisenhower School, Washington D.C.
13. June 2018–June 2020, DJFAC Director, J3, US Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii
14. June 2020–May 2022, Commander, 52nd Operations Group, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
15. May 2022–June 2024, Commander, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, S.C.
16. July 2024–July 2025, Deputy Director of Plans, Programs and Requirements, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
17. July 2025–present, Deputy Commander. United States Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, Nev.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 2,000
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38 and F-16
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
(Current as of April 2026)