Boise native named Space Force brigadier general
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Katie Kloppenburg, KIVI
BOISE (KIVI) — A Boise native has been officially named the Space Force brigadier general. On March 25, the U.S. Senate confirmed Col. James “Jim” Smith, a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Col. Smith is now the Commander of Peterson-Schriever garrison, headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. He leads a 2,500 member team providing Base Operating Support to over 18,400 military, Department of Defense Civilians and contractor personnel at 22 locations worldwide.
Space Force is a branch of the U.S. Armed Services founded under President Donald Trump that is intended to address national security threats from space. It is the first new military service created since the Air Force in 1947.
Space Force personnel execute missile warnings, space domain awareness, space control, satellite communications, electronic warfare and cyberspace missions, according to a news release. The organization also generates, presents and sustains combat-ready intelligence, cyber, space and combat support forces and serves as the USSF Service Component to U.S. Space Command.
“The mission of the Peterson-Schriever Garrison is extremely important. Our team provides support to critical national security missions across the globe,” says Smith. “We directly enable the execution of numerous Space Force missions including GPS, satellite communications, and space domain awareness — all capabilities critical to preserving the ‘American way of life.’”
Smith graduated from Meridian High School and left Boise in 1991 to be a cadet at the Air Force Academy. The release says he was a paperboy for the Idaho Statesman while he was in high school.
“When I first left Boise for the Air Force Academy, I didn’t necessarily know what kind of career awaited me,” Smith says. “However, I’ve had incredible opportunities and served with amazing people all around the world. I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve my country. Thank you to all of my family and friends, colleagues and mentors, teachers who have played a role in my journey.”