New leader joins artillery brigade Published July 15, 2008 By Senior Airman Shaun Emery 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AFB, Calif. -- The "Rough Riders" of the 402nd Field Artillery Brigade welcomed their new commander July 8 at an assumption-of-command ceremony at the Travis Conference Center. Army Col. Tracy Smith took command of the brigade that provides and conducts pre-mobilization and mobilization assistance team activities in order to train and validate select active, Reserve and National Guard, request for forces Naval and Air Force units for deployment. Colonel Smith was most recently deployed to Iraq as Economics Division, Strategic Effects, Multi-National Forces Iraq chief. The ceremony was presided over by Army Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, Division West commanding general. While people are familiar with change-of-command ceremonies, assumption-of-command ceremonies are a little out of the norm, said General Graham. "Because we are an Army at war, duty calls, but we have great leaders to fill the gaps," said General Graham, speaking of Army Lt. Col. Thomas Semple, the outgoing interim commander. "I would like to thank Lieutenant Colonel Semple for all his hard work." After accepting the colors from General Graham and passing them to care Command Sergeant Major George Manning, Colonel Smith addressed the brigade: "I'm ready to load my rucksack with the privilege and responsibility of leading the 402nd," said Colonel Smith. "I will leverage the weight of the command, higher headquarters and the community in support of you and our mission. General Graham stressed the importance of the brigade's mission and the welcomed the new commander. "This unit has a great history," he said. "We must always be in front of the enemy. No one in the Army does it better than the 402nd. Today I'd like to welcome our newest person to the family." Colonel Semple will continue to work in the 402nd, returning to duty as executive officer.