Colonel James J. Handura assumed command of the Sacramento District in July 2019. He commands an organization of 1,100 engineers, scientists and support staff working in all or parts of eight western states. The Sacramento District is responsible for military design and construction, civil works, international and interagency support, real estate services to the Army and Air Force, regulatory work, environmental services, and emergency management. The District is one of the largest in the Corps, responsible for more than 2 million acres and 300,000 miles of waterways, with an annual budget of over $500 million.
Col. Handura began his military service with the United States Navy Seabee Reserves, serving as an Utilitiesman from 1987 to 1989, at Bayboro Harbor, St Petersburg, Florida. From 1989 to 1993, he served in the U.S. Army as an enlisted Combat Engineer, with the 82nd Engineer Battalion (Federal Republic of Germany) and the 20th Engineer Battalion (Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and later Ft. Hood, Texas).
Col. Handura received his commission in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May 1996. As a commissioned officer his assignments have included: Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Assistant Brigade Engineer, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) (Fort Campbell, Kentucky); Assistant Division Engineer Liaison Officer, Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, and Commander, Bravo Company, 41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) (Fort Drum, New York); Project Engineer and Deputy Resident Engineer, Florida Area Office, Mobile District, USACE (MacDill AFB, Florida); Deputy Resident Engineer, Ramadi Resident Office, Gulf Regions Central District, USACE; CJ3 Future Operations Plans Officer and later Strategic Planner, Commander's Initiatives Group, US Forces-Iraq; Battalion Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer, 7th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps (Fort Drum, New York); Deputy District Commander New Orleans District, USACE (New Orleans, Louisiana); Commander, 19th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, XIII Airborne Corps (Fort Knox, Kentucky); and Engineer Observer Trainer and later Lead Observer Trainer to the Joint Staff, J7, Deployable Training Division (Suffolk, Virginia).
Col. Handura’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Joint Staff Identification Badge.
Col. Handura’s civilian education includes a Bachelor's of Science in Geology from Austin Peay State University, a Master’s of Science in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Missouri-Rolla, a Master’s Degree in Military Art and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Army Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, and the U.S. Army War College.