2004 Press Releases

Deputy Commander of United States Central Command, Lieutenant General Lance Smith.

Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command Visits Turkmenistan

Sept. 28, 2004

Deputy Commander of United States Central Command, Lieutenant General Lance Smith is paying an official visit to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, September 27-28. His visit is a follow-up to Commander of U.S. Central Command, General John Abizaid's visit to Ashgabat two months ago. Yesterday, Lieutenant General Smith met with Minister of Defense of Turkmenistan, General Colonel Agageldy Mammetgeldyev, Minister of National Security of Turkmenistan, General Major Annageldi Gummanov, Commander of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan, General Major Orazberdy Soltanov, and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force and Air Defense of Turkmenistan, Colonel Gurbanguly Gurbangulyev. During the meeting, the sides discussed military-to-military cooperation and border security issues.

During his stay, Lieutenant General Smith also visited the Military Institute of the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan, and plans to do some sightseeing in and around Ashgabat, including the mosque in Gokdepe and the construction site of the new mosque in the village of Gypjak, outside of Ashgabat.

Lieutenant General Lance Smith has served as the Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, since October 2003. The Lieutenant General entered the Air Force in 1970 after completing Officer Training School. He served two tours at the Pentagon and was Commandant of the NATO School at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Commandant of the Air War College and Vice Commander of Air University. Lieutenant General Smith commanded two fighter wings and led two Air Expeditionary Force deployments to Southwest Asia. He flew more than 165 combat missions in Southeast and Southwest Asia. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Purple Heart