Our Mission
As the department of Defense design and construction agent for U.S. Forces and other agencies,
Japan Engineer District provides quality, professional and comprehensive engineering, construction, and other value-added services in support of peacetime and contingency operations in Japan and throughout the Pacific region.
Our Commitment
Japan Engineer District - We will be the first and best choice for our customers. First - because we provide significant value to our customers, so their choice is easy. Best - because we provide high quality technical capability, coupled with a genuine belief in the value of our customers, their requirements, and our designated responsibilities. We build and sustain trust - with our customers, our stakeholders, and each other.
We are a team of truly motivated individuals, eager to learn, share, and experience together.
Our Organization
Our Leadership
District Commander - Colonel Lawrence B. Holmes
Colonel Holmes is a South Carolina native. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers in 1981after graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Clemson University ROTC program. Colonel Holmes assumed Command of the Japan Engineer District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on 27 June, 2007.
His staff assignments include Assistant S-4, 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Assistant Operations Officers, 43rd Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy), Project Engineer, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, with duty in Shreveport, Louisiana, Executive Officer, 10th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Executive Officer, 92nd Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy), 24th Corps Support Group, Chief of Facilities and Logistics, Joint Analysis Center, RAF Molesworth, England, Chief of Staff, Joint Analysis Center and Division Engineer for the 1st Cavalry Division. Read more
His previous commands include 586th Engineer Company (Assault Float Bridge), and the 20th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division.
COL Holmes awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Badge, the Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Combat Action Badge.
COL Holmes received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics from Clemson University, a Masters of Arts in Construction Management from the University of Florida, and a Masters of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College.
District Deputy Commander - LTC Edward A. Mead
Lieutenant Colonel Edward A. Mead is a New York state native. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers in 1989 after graduating from Norwich University.
His staff assignments include Observer / Controller, U.S. Army Combat Maneuver Training Center, Fort Irwin California, Instructor and then the Chief of the Engineer Doctrine Writing Division, U.S. Army Engineer School, Deputy Commander, Pittsburgh District Corps of Engineers and Chief Engineer for the NATO Allied Land Component Command, Heidelberg Germany. Read more
His previous commands include Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 20th Support Group, Taegu, Korea and Corps of Engineers Southern District in Iraq.
LTC Mead's awards and decorations include the Army Superior Unit Award, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star Device), Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Korean Service Medal, Belgium Medal of Merit, Parachutist Badge.
LTC Mead is a graduate of Norwich University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and a graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla with a Masters Degree in Engineering Management. He also holds a Masters Degree in Military Arts and Sciences from the Air University in Montgomery, Alabama. His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the Command and General Staff College. He is also a licensed Project Management Professional (PMP) and is an active member of the Society of Military Engineers.
Chief, Programs & Project Management Division - Gary Kitkowski, P.E.
Mr. Kitkowski serves as Chief, Programs & Project Management Division, Japan Engineer District, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, headquartered at Camp Zama, Japan, near Tokyo. The District mission is three fold: to execute the military construction and host-nation funded construction program as the Department of Defense design and construction agent for all
U.S. forces in Japan; to support U.S. military installations through engineering, environmental services, design and construction management; and to respond rapidly to contingencies throughout the Pacific. Read more
Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Kitkowski served as Chief, Engineering and Construction Division, Japan Engineer District from July 2004 to February 2006. From December 1998 to July 2004, he served as Senior Program Manager and Team Leader in Hawaii for all DoD programs (except Army) within the Pacific Ocean Division (POD) and the Host Nation programs in Japan and Korea. The DoD programs included DoD Medical, Missile Defense Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Energy Support Center, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Defense Commissary Agency, and DoD Education Agency.
In 1998 Gary held the position of Chief of Construction-Operations Division in the Directorate of Engineering and Technical Services for POD. Between 1992 and 1998 he served in numerous positions as Chief of Programs and Project Management (PPM) Division, PPM Directorate in POD; Deputy District Engineer for PPM in Honolulu Engineer District; and Deputy Director of PPM Directorate in POD. From 1990 to 1992 Gary was Area Engineer for the Hawaii Area Office in Honolulu Engineer District, and from 1988 to 1990 he was Deputy Area Engineer/Chief, Quality Assurance Branch, Hawaii Area Office. Gary's previous assignments in Japan include Resident Engineer for Iwakuni Resident Office from 1986 to 1988 and Chief, Contract Administration Branch, Construction Division from 1982-1986 for Japan Engineer District.
Gary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii. He is a registered Professional Engineer in California and a member of the Society of American Military Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
CEPOJ-PA (contents)