Deputy Commander, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

Brigadier General Chris Leins became Deputy Commander of CJTF-HOA on 5 February 2009 after serving as Commander, 2nd Brigade (Battle Staff Training Brigade), 75th Division (Battle Staff Training Division) at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was commissioned as an Armor officer in 1979 after graduating from the United States Military Academy.

In nearly thirty years of service, Brigadier General Leins has held various positions of responsibility including Commander, 304 Civil Affairs Brigade, Philadelphia, PA, Commander, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Dix, NJ, Commander, 401st Civil Affairs Battalion in Webster, NY, and Commander, 450th Civil Affairs Battalion in Riverdale, MD. From March 2003 to November 2004, Brigadier General Leins was mobilized and served on the staff of the Office of the Secretary of Defense as the Deputy Director for Operations, Office of the Coalition Provisional Authority Representative and, subsequently, as the Director, Plans and Operations, Department of Defense Iraq Transition Team. Brigadier General Leins also served in joint staff assignments with the US Atlantic Command, Norfolk, VA; and Joint Task Force Somalia, Mogadishu, Somalia.

Brigadier General Leins holds a Master’s in Government from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He is also a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses; Civil Affairs Officer Advanced Course; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and U.S. Naval War College School of Continuing Studies.

Brigadier General Leins’ Awards and Decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster); the Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Achievement Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Parachutist Badge; Ranger Tab; Special Forces Tab; Secretary of Defense Identification Badge; and the Italian Parachutist badge.