Army Capt. Landgrave Smith understands when he steps out with his fellow soldiers and prepares for a patrol mission in Iraq that he could lose his life without ever meeting his infant daughter.

But that doesn't stop the Norman soldier from completing a job he is proud to accomplish.

Smith, 29, serves with Company D, Task Force 1-63 Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, based out of Fort Riley, Kan. He is company commander of Company D, TF 1-63 Armor.

"I'm with four platoons of great guys," he said.

Smith is in the middle of his second deployment to the Middle East. His military unit is stationed at Mahmudiyah, Iraq, about 20 kilometers south of Baghdad.

That's a far distance from his family and friends waiting for him in Norman and Fort Riley.

Smith was born in Oklahoma City, but said he calls Norman home. He went to Norman schools and graduated from Norman North High School in 1998.

His mother, Jamie Featherston, lives in town, and his father, Landgrave Smith, resides in Oklahoma City.

Smith attended the University of Oklahoma from 1998-1999, and participated in Army ROTC. It was during his time at OU that he applied and was accepted into the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.

He spent the next four years earning a military education at West Point. Smith graduated in May 2003 with a bachelor's degree in international relations.

"After I graduated, I went to Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, and from there I was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart," Smith said.

That's when Smith received orders for a 12-month deployment to Iraq. He arrived in the Middle Eastern country in January 2005 and left exactly a year later.

Upon return to the United States, Smith's next assignment was to Maneuver Captains Career Course at Fort Benning, Ga.

From there, Smith went to Fort Riley. He deployed to Iraq in October.

Smith said his vision of a career in the armed forces goes back to his childhood.

"Many, many years ago when I was a kid, I wanted to fly helicopters," he said.

Smith said that's one reason he leaned toward joining the Army. During a routine eye examination required in the service, it was discovered that Smith had a slight case of far-sightedness.

But that didn't stop Smith from wanting to wear the camouflage uniform and serve his country.

Smith said Iraq's atmosphere has undergone significant changes since his last deployment three years ago. The country and government have made progress.

"The fight here has changed," he said. "You are looking at a much more developed Iraqi Army than in 2005 and 2006."

Smith said his unit's mission is to support Iraq's Army and help organize and support economic and government peace.

"We keep them going in the right direction," he said.

Smith said security also has improved since 2006.

"There are still risks," he said. "You're getting to a point that the Iraqi security forces and government can handle it."

He said there's no typical day working with the Iraqi Army. Smith and his company of soldiers patrol streets with an Iraqi battalion.

"It's amazing what you learn," he said.

Smith said compared to when the war began in Iraq and even when violence was at its highest, there's a huge difference in Iraq's people and safety.

"It's quite an adjustment to make from the things we were doing," he said. "You have working citizens."

Smith said city councils even exist.

"You see more and more businesses popping up," he said. "Everything is more productive, busy. People are getting out and commuting to work."

Smith said during his deployment, he's missed his wife, Jessica, and 3-month-old daughter Alysa, to whom he hasn't been introduced yet. Both are waiting for him at Fort Riley.

He tries to keep in touch with his wife as much as possible.

"In April, I'll go on leave and spend two weeks back there," he said.

Smith said he's excited to meet his baby girl.

"I've been told she smiles now, laughs and rolls over," he said. "I definitely can't wait to get back to meet her."

His deployment goes through October, at which time he will be re-deployed back to Kansas.

Smith said he intends to make a career with the military, at least those are the plans for now.

"I've always said I would stay as long as I'm having fun doing it," Smith said. "I'm still having fun doing it."

Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com