In July 1964, he was transferred to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he established an FTD liaison office with headquarters of the National American Air Defense Command.

He was selected for entry to the Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and entered that institution in August 1966. He graduated in June of the following year and was assigned Commander of Detachment 9 of the Office of Aerospace Research (OAR) at Vandenberg AFB, California.

In September 1968, Colonel Smith was transferred to the Los Angeles Air Force Station for duty as Commander of Detachment 6 of OAR.

Smith was reassigned in June 1970, to the position of Vice Commander Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, L.G. Hanscom Field - Bedford, Massachusetts.

Colonel Charles Smith held aeronautical ratings as a Senior Pilot and Navigator.

Among the major decorations he has accumulated during his long service are the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Oak Leak Cluster, the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, a Presidential Unit Citation with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with Silver Leaf Cluster.

He retired from the Air Force on August 1, 1973, after 30 years of meritorious service.

Smith entered law school at the College of William and Mary and received his degree, J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence, in 1976. He is associated with the law firm, Smith and Hudgins, in Newport News, Virginia.

They reside in Williamsburg, Virginia and spend their leisure time traveling and pursuing their cultural and historical interests. Shirley has also been involved in political activities.

They are proud of their daughter, Amy, a graduate of Sweet Briar College. She is currently a marketing director in Washington D.C. She and her husband Steve, live in Warrenton, VA.