Incoming White Sands Test Center Commander Col. Matthew Johnson at a change of command ceremony Aug. 8 at the Frontier Club.

White Sands Test Center Change of Command

Outgoing White Sands Test Center Commander Col. Shawn Smart relinquished command to incoming WSTC Commander Col. Matthew Johnson during a change of command ceremony Aug. 8 at the Frontier Club.

The WSTC provides test, analysis, evaluation, and research support services for the nation’s most critical defense programs.

White Sands Missile Range Commander Brig. Gen. George C. Turner thanked everyone for attending. He then went on to list some of Smart’s accomplishments during her time at WSMR to include over 500 test events a year, numerous Six Sigma initiatives, impeccable safety standards, the best surety program in the department of defense, an agile workforce with a stellar reputation for excellence, and countless Soldiers lives saved in conflict zones because of testing efforts performed here in Southern New Mexico.

“Shawn congratulations on a very successful command. Be very proud of what you and your team have accomplished,” Turner said.

Turner then welcomed Johnson to the White Sands experience.

Smart, the first female WSTC commander, was responsible for the Department of Defense’s largest land-based test range facility.

She thanked family members and friends who came to be with her at the event.

“It is a great honor to have served as the White Sands Test Center’s first female commander,” Smart said. “To be the commander of this talented and dedicated workforce has been an honor.”

Johnson thanked Turner for giving him the opportunity to command and thanked all those in attendance.

“Thank you for the opportunity to join your elite team,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to executing great tests here in the Army’s premier test facility.”

Prior to coming to WSMR Johnson served as the Director of Operations, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology. He received his commission as an Infantry Officer from Colorado State University in 2001. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College, the Acquisition Basic Course, and the Army War College. Prior to the Pentagon, he was a student at the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in animal science from Colorado State University, a Master of Science in engineering from University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

By Miriam Rodriguez

WSMR Public Affairs