News Release Manager

Corps of Engineers set to change commanders July 16

Published July 9, 2015
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Alaska District will conduct a change of command ceremony from 10 to 11 a.m. July 16 on the lawn of the Corps’ headquarters, Building 2204.

During the event, Col. Christopher Lestochi will relinquish duties to incoming commander Col. Michael Brooks.

Brooks, a native of Alabama, formerly served as the deputy chief and engineer planner for the Domestic Operations Division at U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In accordance with military tradition, Lestochi will pass the unit colors to Brooks. Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Milhorn, 31st commanding general and division engineer for the Pacific Ocean Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will host the event. All three participants will provide remarks. Following the ceremony, Brooks will be welcomed to the district with an Alaska wild game luncheon.

As the district’s new commander, Brooks will oversee a multimillion-dollar program that provides engineering, construction, planning, contracting, real estate, emergency operations, environmental and regulatory services to the military, federal, state and local governments, as well as the public in Alaska.

Additionally, Brooks will provide oversight of the district’s humanitarian assistance program, which supports U.S. Pacific Command by designing and constructing projects in countries throughout Southeast Asia; and, under the Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales program, the district’s master planning, requirements validation, design and infrastructure for the Government of India’s C-17 aircraft at Hindon Air Force Station, India.

Lestochi commanded USACE-Alaska District for the past three years. He will now serve as the deputy commander of USACE’s Pacific Ocean Division at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

Members of the media interested in covering the event may contact Dena O’Dell, USACE-Alaska District Public Affairs Office, at (907) 753-2721 no later than 5 p.m. July 14. All media representatives coming on base must have a photo ID.

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Contact
Dena O'Dell
907-753-2721
Dena.M.O'Dell@usace.army.mil

Release no. 15-013