Lieutenant Colonel Christopher D. Klein is Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle
East District, located in Winchester, Virginia. He became deputy commander in July 2013.
The Middle East District is responsible for providing engineering, construction, and related services in the Middle East, Central Asia, and other areas as required. Its work includes designing and constructing facilities for use by U.S. forces, performing engineering activities for other U.S. government and foreign agencies, and providing operations and maintenance services for various customers. In addition, the district provides project management, engineering, contracting and support services to the USACE district in Afghanistan.
As Deputy Commander, LTC Klein is responsible for supporting USACE operations in the region and for overseeing all business support organizations within the district.
During the year before his assignment at the Middle East District, LTC Klein served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Chief, Office of Security Cooperation in Baghdad, Iraq. Other operational assignments in Iraq included Company Commander for Charlie Company, 864th Engineer Battalion in 2007-2008, and Logistics Officer for 14th Engineer Battalion in 2003.
He spent six years at Fort Richardson, Alaska, beginning in Nov. 2005, where he served as Detachment Commander for the Army Alaska Headquarters, Company Commander for Charlie Company, 864th Engineer Battalion, and Training and Operations Officer for 6th Engineer Battalion and 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Prior to his time in Alaska, LTC Klein spent a year in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division as a Brigade Plans Officer, then as a Division Plans Officer. Other assignments included the 14th Engineer Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington, where he held progressive positions as Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Plans Officer and Logistics Officer.
LTC Klein graduated from United States Military Academy with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, and the University of Missouri with a master’s degree in geological engineering. Military training includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, the Engineer Captains Career Course, the United States Army Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Cold Weather Leader’s Course – Northern Warfare Training Center, the Joint Engineer Operations Course, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
His military awards and decorations include two awards of the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, three awards of the Army Achievement Medal.