CAPT Sam “Smokey” White, a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in Chemistry, received his commission from Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. Following completion of Surface Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island, he reported to USS TORTUGA (LSD 46) where he earned his Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) designation. CAPT White is a 2007 graduate of the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), Montgomery, Alabama, where he received a master’s degree in military Operational Art and Science.
In 1999, he returned to Pensacola, Florida for flight training. After initial P-3 Orion training in VP-30, he reported to the VP-45 “Pelicans,” in Jacksonville, Florida.
In 2004, White completed his first Individual Augmentee (IA) tour to Iraq. He subsequently reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron ONE (VX-1) in Patuxent River, Maryland, serving as the operational test director for the P-3 AIP. While with VX-1, he completed a second IA tour in Baghdad, Iraq. His department head tour was in VP-16.
In 2010, White reported to Navy Personnel Command as DC placement officer. CAPT White reported to U.S. Naval Forces-Central Command (NAVCENT) as the deputy, and then director of Future Operations (FOPS) from 2014 to 2017. He served as the Joint Reconnaissance Chief at U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) in Hawaii from 2017 to 2019. He returned to NAVCENT in 2019 as the N5 until 2021.
CAPT White commanded the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from June 2021 to June 2024. He commanded Squadron FOUR (VT-4) from 2013-2014.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (3 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal (3 awards) and multiple individual, unit, and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 15 July 2024