Colonel Rafael F. Pazos assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Japan District July 8 during a ceremony held on Camp Zama, Japan. Pazos succeeds Colonel John S. Hurley, who has been commander and district engineer since July 9, 2013.
Prior to this assignment, Pazos completed Senior Service College at the Inter-American Defense College, Ft McNair, Washington, D.C. Before that, he served as a Human Resource Manager for Engineer, Chemical and Military Police Colonels in the Colonels Management Office, Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army.
A native of Washington, D.C., Pazos was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 1993. His initial assignment was in the Republic of Panama where he served in the 536th Engineer Battalion and the 5th Battalion 87th Infantry regiment as platoon leader and executive officer. He was later assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo in Honduras as the Army Forces engineer. Col. Pazos was then assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington as the Assistant Secretary of the General Staff for I Corps and later as commander for A Company, 249th Engineer Battalion. After company command, he served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District stationed in Lima, Peru as the Area Commander for the Andean Ridge Countries.
Other assignments include serving in the Republic of Korea as a planner for the 2d Infantry Division, as executive officer for the Division’s Special Troops Battalion, and then as facilities and construction officer for the Eighth U.S. Army. After Korea, he deployed to Iraq as the Deputy Commander for the Gulf Region South District. He then served in Washington, D.C. as an Assistant Director for the USACE Civil Works Directorate. He returned to Korea to command the forward deployed Brigade Special Troops Battalion in the1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division.
Pazos holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech, a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and a Master’s of Military Arts and Science in Theater Operations from the School of Advanced Military Studies. He is a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Pazos has attended the Engineer Officer Basic and Advance Courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College Course, the School of Advanced Military Studies and the Inter-American Defense College.
His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Air Assault Badge. He is also a recipient of the Army Engineer Association’s Bronze de Fleury Medal.
Japan District is headquartered at Camp Zama and operates seven field offices throughout Japan. The district executes the Japan Host Nation and U.S. military construction programs as the Department of Defense design and construction agent. The district supports U.S. Forces and other agencies with quality, professional and comprehensive planning, engineering, construction, environmental and other value-added services.