Posted on July 5, 2023
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON —
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Col. Jeffrey S. Palazzini became the 30th commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District during a change of command ceremony today on the front lawn of the organization’s headquarters here.
Brig. Gen. Kirk E. Gibbs, commanding general of the USACE Pacific Ocean Division at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, served as host of the event.
Palazzini replaces Col. Damon A. Delarosa, whose tenure as district commander began in August 2020. He departs to attend the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania.
Palazzini takes the reins of an organization responsible for executing major programs focused on military construction, civil works development and environmental cleanup within the state. He also will oversee the delivery of contracting, regulatory, interagency, international, real estate and emergency management services, along with operations and maintenance activities.
Before assuming command in Alaska, Palazzini worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2022 to 2023 and Defense Threat Reduction Agency from 2020 to 2022 in the National Capitol Region. His most recent USACE assignment was as commander of the Charleston District in South Carolina from 2017 to 2019.
Previously, Palazzini served in a variety of other command and staff positions that include assignments with the 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team (505th Parachute Infantry Regiment), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina from 2012 to 2014; E Company, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado from 2005 to 2006; and 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division in Giessen, Germany from 2000-2002.
His operational deployments include Operation Inherent Resolve with the USACE Mosul Dam Task Force from 2016 to 2017, Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004 and 2005 to 2006, and Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo Force 2A) in 2000.
Palazzini also served as deputy commander of the USACE Sacramento District from 2014 to 2017 and as an assistant professor in the Social Sciences Department at West Point from 2009 to 2011.
His military education includes the Army Engineer Officer Basic Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Senior Service College at the National Defense University’s College for International Security Affairs, Sapper Leader Course and Jumpmaster School. In addition, he is a certified Project Management Professional.
Palazzini’s military awards and decorations include the Army Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, Humanitarian Service Medal, Senior Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge and Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal.
Palazzini was commissioned as an Army engineer officer in 1999. He holds a bachelor-of-science degree in economics from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, as well as an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, and master-of-arts degree in strategic security studies from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
Palazzini is originally from Mercerville, New Jersey, and is married with two children.
