Colonel John (Chris) Becking

Colonel Chris Becking assumed command of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan District on July 15, 2019. The 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 Department of State to complete projects authorized under the Afghan Infrastructure Fund program. The Afghanistan District is delivering more than $1.02 billion 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.

Colonel Becking comes to the District following command of the 555^th Engineer Brigade, the Triple Nickel, America’s I Corps, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord from July 2017 to June 2019.  He previously served with the U. S. Army Colonel’s Management Office, Arlington, VA, and as Executive Officer to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.  Additionally, he served as the 57^th Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District, Philadelphia, PA. 

Other previous assignments include:  NATO engineer operations staff officer at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Mons, Belgium; Battalion Executive Officer, Battalion S3, Brigade S4 & Engineer, 3^rd BCT, 10^th Mtn Div, Fort Drum in Fort Drum, NY and Afghanistan; Battalion S3 and Senior Observer/Controller, 3^rd Bn, 315^th Regt, New Cumberland, PA; B Company Commander and Asst Div Engineer LNO, 41^st Engineer Battalion, Fort Drum, NY; Battalion Maintenance Officer, 2^nd Engineer Battalion, Camp Castle, Korea; and Company Executive Officer, Light Equipment Platoon Leader, and Combat Engineer Platoon Leader, 37^th Engineer Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC.

Colonel Becking was commissioned from the University of Michigan as an engineer officer in April 1995. Colonel Becking earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University. Among other military schools, he is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Infantry Captain’s Career Course, and the Engineer Officer Basic Course. He is a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is a registered PRINCE2 Practitioner.

Colonel Becking’s military awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, the French National Defense Medal-Silver, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Ranger and Sapper Tabs, the Air Assault Badge, and the Bronze de Fleury Medal.