"Make it Monday" forum - US Army Corps of Engineers Update

MOVED TO EGAN CENTER DUE TO POWER OUTAGE AT DENA'INA CENTER!

Col. Michael S. Brooks, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Alaska District, will update the Anchorage community on the Corps' major programs, and current and future projects. He will highlight the Corps' Military Construction, Missile Defense, Civil Works and Environmental Cleanup programs. The District plans to award multiple contracts this year for critical infrastructure in support of the F-35 Beddown program at Eielson Air Force Base and the Long-Range Discrimination Radar at Clear Air Force Station.

SPEAKER:

Col. Michael S. Brooks assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Alaska District July 16, 2015, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. He oversees a multi-million-dollar program that provides engineering, construction, planning, contracting, real estate, emergency operations, environmental and regulatory services to the military; federal, state and local governments; and the public in Alaska. The organization supports U.S. Pacific Command by designing and constructing humanitarian assistance projects in countries throughout Southeast Asia. Under the Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales Program, the district oversees master planning, requirements validation, design and construction of infrastructure for the Government of India’s C-17 aircraft at Hindon Air Force Station, India. 

Previously, Brooks served as the deputy chief and engineer planner for the J36 Domestic Operations Division at U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo.  

Earlier assignments include: Student at the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.; deputy chief of staff for the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo.; commander of the 52nd Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson, Colo.; deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Detroit District in Detroit, Mich.; and battalion executive officer and brigade engineer for the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. As battalion executive officer, he deployed to Baqubah, Iraq, for 15 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

Other assignments include: Chief of the Engineer Tactics Team for the U.S. Security Assistance Training Management Organization in King Khalid Military City, Saudi Arabia; assistant brigade operations officer for the 2/91st Training Support Brigade at Fort Carson, Colo.; company commander and assistant brigade engineer in the 4th Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson, Colo.; and company executive officer and platoon leader in the 814th Engineer Company (Assault Float Bridge) and 46th Engineer Battalion at Fort Polk, La. While serving in the 46th Engineer Bn., he deployed to Haiti in support of United Nations’ operations.

In 1993, Brooks was commissioned as an engineer officer in the U.S. Army. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo.; and Master of Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, United Nations Medal (Haiti) and Superior Unit Award with oak leaf cluster. He also earned the Combat Action Badge.

Brooks is a native of Alabama. He is married to Cary (Crouch) Brooks of Eagle River, Alaska.
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