Master Sergeant Patrick D. Smith, son of Andy and Cindy Smith of Hamlin, retired as Wing Exercise and Inspection Planner, Office of the Inspector General, 56th Wing, at Luke Air Force Base, after twenty-one years of active duty on July 1.
Several members of his family and friends traveled to Arizona for the celebration.
Sergeant Smith graduated from Brockport High School in 1994. Upon graduation from Basic Training at Lackland AFB, “Rick” began his career as a Military Working Dog Handler at Brooks AFB and Charleston, South Carolina AFB.
After September 11, 2001, he served in the Middle East for five different deployments, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom campaigns.
At his retirement ceremony, the Presiding Official, Captain Jonathan P. Warzeka stated: “Over a five year stint at Creech (AFB, NV), every Military Working Dog that was deployed in AFCENT was instructed by Sergeant Smith.”
“Sergeant Smith was responsible for the training, validation and certification for seven Working Military Working Dog Teams. These dog teams were selected to support multiple United States Secret Service Missions across the world,” Warzeka noted.
Rick and his wife Wendy live in Phoenix, Arizona, with their daughter, Andi Jane. Their son, Jonathen, is currently serving in the United States Navy.
Rick is employed by a private company providing security for professional sports teams in Phoenix.
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