Colonel Christopher G. Beck is the Commander and Division Engineer of the Transatlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a position he has held since June 26, 2019.
The Transatlantic Division provides design, construction execution and related engineering services in direct support to USCENTCOM and other activities within the USCENTCOM area of responsibility to establish the conditions for regional security and stability; and enables the USSOCOM global construction program through centralized planning/programming on behalf of the USACE Enterprise. With almost 800 people, the Transatlantic Division executes projects in the majority of the countries within the USCENTCOM area, from Egypt through the Middle East and Central Asia. The Transatlantic Division, headquartered in Winchester, Virginia, oversees construction programs exceeding $5.2 billion through the Middle East District, Transatlantic Afghanistan District, Task Force Essayons in Kuwait and Iraq, and Mosul Dam Task Force in Iraq. The Division also provides contingency and field force engineering resources for Operations Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel, Resolute Support, and other military activities throughout the region.
Prior to accepting command of TAD, Colonel Beck most recently served as Director, Office of the Chief of Engineers, responsible for synchronizing Engineer Regiment priorities within Headquarters Department of Army. During his career, Colonel Beck served in command and staff positions in the United States, Germany, the Middle East, and Central Asia. His tours of duty with tactical units include the 19th Engineer Battalion; 130th Engineer Brigade; 36th Engineer Brigade; 1st Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division; and 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. At the operational level, Colonel Beck served as the Chief of Engineer Plans for HQ, U.S. Central Command and also served as the Chief of Staff for the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
As part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Colonel Beck has served in the Huntington District as a Structural Design Engineer, Emergency Operations Officer, Civil Design Section Chief, Design Branch Deputy Chief, and Deputy District Commander. He also served as a Project Engineer with the Afghanistan Area Office and as the Commander of the Louisville District.
Colonel Beck received his commission from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1993 graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He holds master’s degrees from the University of
Missouri for Science and Technology in Engineering Management; from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Structural Engineering; and from the U.S. Air Force War College in Strategic Studies.
His awards and decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. He is also authorized to wear the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Army Service Identification Badge. Colonel Beck is a Registered Professional Engineer (West Virginia) and a certified Project Management Professional.