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 $6 billion through the Middle East District, Transatlantic Afghanistan District, and Task Force Essayons in Kuwait and 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.
As Deputy Commander, Colonel Bales is responsible for supporting USACE operations in the USCENTCOM region and overseeing operations, security, logistics, C4I, personnel, and administrative activities within the division.
Throughout his military career, Colonel Bales has held numerous leadership and staff positions, from platoon to the Division level with assignments in Korea, Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Bliss, Texas; and Fort Riley, Kansas. He served for two years as an Exchange Officer in Townsville, Australia, while assigned to HQs 25th Infantry Division. He also served as a Small Group Instructor and Concepts Officer at the U.S. Army Engineer School.
Colonel Bales’ other USACE assignments include Deputy Commander for the Louisville District, Commander of the Buffalo District, Deputy Commander for Transatlantic South District in Afghanistan, Commander of the Far East District in Korea, and most recently Commander of the Transatlantic Middle East District.
Colonel Bales’ military education includes Airborne School, the Engineer Officer Basic Course, the Scout Platoon Leaders Course, the Strategic Deployment School, the Engineer Officer Advanced Course, Battalion Motor Officer Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Jumpmaster School, Command and General Staff College, and the Joint Planning Course. Colonel Bales is also a graduate of the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
Colonel Bales’ awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal; the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon; the Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO service medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal.
Colonel Bales graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June 1991, where he received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers.