News Story Archive

District Welcomes 35th Commander

public affairs
Published May 16, 2016
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – USACE South Pacific Division Deputy Commander Col. Eric McFadden leads Outgoing Albuquerque District Commander Lt. Col. Patrick Dagon, Incoming District Commander Lt. Col. James Booth, and acting Deputy District Engineer Mike Goodrich in the District’s formal change of command ceremony, May 12, 2016.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – USACE South Pacific Division Deputy Commander Col. Eric McFadden leads Outgoing Albuquerque District Commander Lt. Col. Patrick Dagon, Incoming District Commander Lt. Col. James Booth, and acting Deputy District Engineer Mike Goodrich in the District’s formal change of command ceremony, May 12, 2016.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Outgoing Albuquerque District Commander Lt. Col. Patrick Dagon hands the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer flag to South Pacific Division Deputy Commander Col. Eric McFadden during the District’s formal change of command ceremony, May 12, 2016.  The ceremony symbolizes the transfer of command responsibility from one individual to another and is physically represented by the passing of the flag from the old commander to the new. Traditionally the next senior commander performs the transfer.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Outgoing Albuquerque District Commander Lt. Col. Patrick Dagon hands the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer flag to South Pacific Division Deputy Commander Col. Eric McFadden during the District’s formal change of command ceremony, May 12, 2016. The ceremony symbolizes the transfer of command responsibility from one individual to another and is physically represented by the passing of the flag from the old commander to the new. Traditionally the next senior commander performs the transfer.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – South Pacific Division Deputy Commander Col. Eric McFadden hands the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer flag to Incoming Albuquerque District Commander Lt. Col. James Booth during the District’s formal change of command ceremony, May 12, 2016.  The ceremony symbolizes the transfer of command responsibility from one individual to another and is physically represented by the passing of the flag from the old commander to the new. Traditionally the next senior commander performs the transfer.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – South Pacific Division Deputy Commander Col. Eric McFadden hands the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer flag to Incoming Albuquerque District Commander Lt. Col. James Booth during the District’s formal change of command ceremony, May 12, 2016. The ceremony symbolizes the transfer of command responsibility from one individual to another and is physically represented by the passing of the flag from the old commander to the new. Traditionally the next senior commander performs the transfer.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., -- Lieutenant Colonel James Booth assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District, May 12, 2016, during a formal change of command ceremony at the District headquarters. 

“My family and I are excited about being here in the District. We have an amazing mission and I am looking forward to getting around, over the next few months, to meet the team that gets the job done,” said Lt. Col. Booth. 

The purpose of a change of command ceremony is to emphasize the continuity of leadership and unit identity, despite the change in individual authority. The District’s area of responsibility includes the entire state of New Mexico, as well as portions of southern Colorado and far west Texas. The District performs design, construction and operations and maintenance services for three Air Force bases; conducts a robust civil works program; and operates and maintains nine dams.

Lt. Col. Booth earned a bachelor of science in Civil Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology and a Master’s Degree in Engineer Management from the University of Missouri- Rolla.  Lt. Col. Booth is a graduate of the Ranger Course and Airborne School. He is also a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced courses, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. 

Prior to assuming command of the Albuquerque District, Lt. Col. Booth served as Deputy District Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District.

Lt. Col. Booth is joined by his wife, Melissa, and three children.