Rear Admiral Ralph R. “Russ” Smith is the Director of Intelligence, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He is the senior intelligence officer and principal intelligence advisor to the USSTRATCOM Commander and directs all intelligence functions necessary to ensure strategic deterrence and nuclear command and control in both peace time and crisis operations.
Rear Adm. Smith is a native of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and a 1992 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies with distinction from the College of Naval Command and Staff. He is also a graduate of the Naval Operational Planner Course, now known as the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School.
His sea assignments include intelligence officer, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135; intelligence officer, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5; assistant chief of staff for intelligence for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10; and information warfare commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9.
Ashore, his assignments include duty as senior Iranian naval analyst, Naval Forces Central Command; officer in charge, Field Operating Base Europe Detachment Mons, Belgium; commanding officer, Southern Region Joint Operational Intelligence Cell, Naples, Italy; officer in charge, Information Dominance Corps Region Southwest; director of intelligence, Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center; commanding officer, Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center; director of the maritime operations center for commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, U.S. 10th Fleet; and vice director for intelligence, Joint Chiefs of Staff. He most recently served as deputy director of operations for combat support, National Security Agency.
RADM Smith’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various service and campaign awards.
Link: Biography in .pdf
(Current as of June 2024)