Colonel Jason E. Kelly

Colonel Jason E. Kelly assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan District on June 28, 2018. The Afghanistan District supports Operations Resolute Support and Freedom’s Sentinel by executing construction for U.S. Forces-Afghanistan; for the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan supporting the Afghan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF); and for both the Department of Defense and the Department of State to complete projects authorized under the Afghan Infrastructure Fund program. The Afghanistan District is delivering more than $900 million in facilities supporting Afghan Air Force Modernization, the Afghan Special Security Forces, the National Army and Police, and Women’s Participation Program projects in support of gender integration across all ANDSF. The District’s projects support the local populace and build skilled human capital by using predominantly Afghan-owned companies in the construction programs and by having Afghan quality assurance staff assist in construction oversight.

Before this assignment, Colonel Kelly commanded the USACE Norfolk District from July 2015 through June 2018. He has held leadership positions from platoon to brigade, with duty in Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, including Commander of the 20th Engineer Battalion in Afghanistan; Deputy Commander of the 36th Engineer Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn; Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division; Assistant Operations Officer for the 10th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division; Adjutant for both the 44th Engineer Battalion and the 2nd Infantry Division Engineer Brigade in Korea; Plans Officer for the 4th Infantry Division Engineer Brigade; and Line Platoon Leader, Assault and Obstacle Platoon Leader; and Company Executive Officer in the 588th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division.

Other key assignments include participation in the Army's Advanced Civil Schooling Program, with duty as an advanced calculus instructor in the Department of Mathematics, U.S. Military Academy; Aide-de-Camp to the Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy; and assignment to the Pentagon in the Office of the Chief of Engineers.

A native of Flint, Michigan, Colonel Kelly attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, and graduated in 1994 with a commission as an engineer officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from West Point, a master’s degree in engineering management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, a master’s degree in statistics from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in joint campaign planning and strategy from the National Defense University, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He is a graduate of the Joint Advanced Warfighter School, Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Sapper Leader Course, as well as the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses. He is also a certified Project Management Professional.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (three awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Army Commendation Medal (four awards), the Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Star Device, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Sapper Tab. He is also the recipient of the Army Engineer Association's Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal and the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal.