BAKERSFIELD - Family and friends are mourning a Bakersfield airman killed in a helicopter crash in Japan.
The flight engineer died when his aircraft went down during a training mission.
30-year-old Tech Sgt. Mark Smith died one week ago when his helicopter crashed during training in Okinawa.
The Bakersfield native is being remembered as a humble soldier and a caring father.
Smith was preparing for his next mission-- a third deployment to Afghanistan with his rescue squadron.
"He went above and beyond his duty, and if I were to congratulate him for that, he would say it's a job," said Jesse Aranda, Smith's uncle.
It was a job that took Smith a world away from his wife, Jessica and their two daughters.
"He loved his daughters. I mean that was the world to him," said Aranda.
Each time Smith returned home, his family welcomed him with hugs, kisses, and patriotic signs.
"Every time he returned, it was like he had returned for the first time," added Aranda.
Smith joined the Air Force in 2000 after graduating from Centennial High School.
"He had a job to do, but at the same time he missed home. He missed his family," said Aranda.
As Smith's family waited for his return, they sent him care packages with a touch of home.
"The one thing we always made sure we sent in his care packages, besides notes, was Smith's Bakery smiley faces," remembered Aranda.
Smith deployed several times overseas during his 13 years in the Air Force.
In October 2011, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan. From there, he flew missions to rescue ground troops in Afghanistan.
One rescue mission last year stood out. Smith's team was pinned down by rocket propelled grenades and heavy gunfire, while trying to rescue a wounded soldier.
A photographer on a cliff snapped a photo. The rare action shot went viral online and when Smith returned home, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.
"He had sent me a picture of it, but never elaborated on what he did and how important it was until now. But, that was the way Mark was. He never boasted about what he had done. To him it was just a job," said Aranda.
Three other airmen were injured in last week's crash.
Funeral arrangements for Smith are pending, but his family says he will be buried here in Bakersfield.
The flight engineer died when his aircraft went down during a training mission.
30-year-old Tech Sgt. Mark Smith died one week ago when his helicopter crashed during training in Okinawa.
The Bakersfield native is being remembered as a humble soldier and a caring father.
Smith was preparing for his next mission-- a third deployment to Afghanistan with his rescue squadron.
"He went above and beyond his duty, and if I were to congratulate him for that, he would say it's a job," said Jesse Aranda, Smith's uncle.
It was a job that took Smith a world away from his wife, Jessica and their two daughters.
"He loved his daughters. I mean that was the world to him," said Aranda.
Each time Smith returned home, his family welcomed him with hugs, kisses, and patriotic signs.
"Every time he returned, it was like he had returned for the first time," added Aranda.
Smith joined the Air Force in 2000 after graduating from Centennial High School.
"He had a job to do, but at the same time he missed home. He missed his family," said Aranda.
As Smith's family waited for his return, they sent him care packages with a touch of home.
"The one thing we always made sure we sent in his care packages, besides notes, was Smith's Bakery smiley faces," remembered Aranda.
Smith deployed several times overseas during his 13 years in the Air Force.
In October 2011, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan. From there, he flew missions to rescue ground troops in Afghanistan.
One rescue mission last year stood out. Smith's team was pinned down by rocket propelled grenades and heavy gunfire, while trying to rescue a wounded soldier.
A photographer on a cliff snapped a photo. The rare action shot went viral online and when Smith returned home, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.
"He had sent me a picture of it, but never elaborated on what he did and how important it was until now. But, that was the way Mark was. He never boasted about what he had done. To him it was just a job," said Aranda.
Three other airmen were injured in last week's crash.
Funeral arrangements for Smith are pending, but his family says he will be buried here in Bakersfield.