Amber Smith, Combat Helicopter Pilot and Author, Confirmed as Speaker for WAI 2020 Conference

Amber Smith, combat helicopter pilot and author of Danger Close: My Epic Journey as a Combat Helicopter Pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan has been confirmed as a speaker for the 31^st Annual Women in Aviation International Conference, augmenting an incredible roster of speakers. Amber joins Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Barbara Barrett; Stephanie Chung, JetSuite president; Col. Eileen Collins, NASA astronaut; Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, U.S. Air Force; and Joan Robinson-Berry, Boeing Global Services vice president & chief engineer, as keynote speakers for the March 5-7, 2020, Conference at Disneys Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Amber Smith’s career consists of over 15 years of experience in senior levels of government, a presidential administration, strategic communications and public affairs, as well as multiple combat tours as a light attack/reconnaissance helicopter pilot and air mission commander where she led missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is the author of Danger Close: My Epic Journey as a Combat Helicopter Pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan.             

Amber is currently the founder and president of Beacon Rock Strategies LLC, a strategic advisory and communications consulting firm. A former OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot-in-command and air mission commander in the 101st Airborne Division, Amber is a combat veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars where she worked closely with the U.S. Infantry, NATO ground troops, Special Forces, Marines, as well as flew aerial security for Air Force One in Afghanistan in 2008 for the President of the United States. Amber frequently appears on national TV networks as an expert in defense, national security, veterans affairs, and foreign policy.