COL Mark R. Himes assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District on July 8, 2020 and served most recently as the Plans Branch Chief in the Office of the Chief of Engineers on the Army Staff in the Pentagon.
COL Himes received his commission in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May 1998. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, he graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering. After completing the Engineer Officer Basic Course, COL Himes first assignment was to the 84th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, were he served as a Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer from 1998-2001.
COL Himes recently graduated from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Before that, he served as the Plans Branch Chief in the Office of the Chief of Engineers on the Army Staff in the Pentagon. COL Himes' past assignments include commanding the Regimental Engineer Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment forward stationed in Grafenwoehr, Germany from 2016-2018. He served as the Deputy District Commander for the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in Jacksonville, Florida from 2013-2016. COL Himes served as the Chief of Current Operations and Brigade Engineer for 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and later as the Battalion Executive Officer for 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment deploying to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM from 2011-2012. He was previously assigned to the Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers serving as a Project Manager for Military Construction at Fort Carson, Colorado from 2008-2010.
COL Himes commanded Bravo Company, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), Fort Rucker, Alabama from 2004-2006 where he deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. He was assigned to the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), Fort Polk, Louisiana serving as the Battalion Civil Engineer; during this time he deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003.
His military education includes the U.S. Army War College, Army Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, U.S. Army Engineer Officer Advanced and Basic Courses, and the Joint Engineer Operations Course. COL Himes holds a Master's Degree in Building Construction from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Georgia and a certified Project Management Professional.
COL Himes' awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (six awards), Army Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (two campaign stars), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (one campaign star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and the Air Assault Badge.