Veteran Salute: Putting out fires around the world and around the halls
HOLTON (KSNT) – Putting out fires around the world, Air Force Tech Sergeant Derek Smith served his country for 12 years across two vital roles.
Smith works at one of the most unique schools in the Sunflower State.
“This school used to be a nuclear missile base,” Smith said. “Add a little check of pride for me that I get a chance to be a principal at a location as meaningful as this.”
The Tech Sergeant got his instructor start from a very different arena.
Veteran Salute: Ensuring smooth tank operations worldwide
“I was a firefighter,” Smith said. “I got a chance to serve at Hurlburt Field Florida, Osan air base Korea, and then Andersen air base in Guam. During that time I deployed several times, Iraq, Afghanistan, Oman. Loved every minute I was a firefighter.”
That love for the role proved pivotal, he had to wear many hats – or more accurately helmets – in his day to day.
“When I was at station Hurlburt Field, we had the AC 130 gunship, which was originally the home of the gunship,” he said. “Anywhere it went, we had to send a unit with it. So a lot of that is that crash side of it. I know obviously airports have a crash fire rescue and then there’s structural firefighters, but we were everything. We took care of all firefighting for the base entirely.
Fighting fires wasn’t his only role with the Air Force though. Smith switched gears halfway through his military journey to serve as a training instructor.
Veteran Salute: Serving in the military and local police
“I really fell in love with that instruction component of it,” Smith said, “where like that one kid that’s just not getting it, not getting it, not getting it, then they have that lightbulb moment where it’s just like ah there it was! That resilience that they have is just amazing and that was what really triggered me into the education side of it.”
Even after all these years since his service, his mantra has stayed the same.
“Everyday when I walk out the door, I say I’m going to go make a difference,” Smith said. “For 12 years, I got a chance to really make a difference.”
In addition to making a difference over at Jackson Heights, Smith also gives back to fellow veterans as an honor flight hub leader. He’s prepping for his second year and trip, looking to take 46 veterans up to Washington D.C. in June.
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