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  • November

    Great Bridge Bridge in Chesapeake is now open.

    Great Bridge Lock reopens

    CHESAPEAKE, Va. – The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, reopened the Great Bridge Locks, on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, for normal operations here Nov. 23.
  • President John F. Kennedy adjusts the tie of Heber Springs Mayor William J. Allbright at the dedication of Greers Ferry Dam, Oct. 3, 1963.

    From jubilation to sorrow - President Kennedy’s historic celebration at Greers Ferry Dam followed by tragedy in Dallas

    HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. - Gasoline cost 30 cents, a loaf of bread was 20 cents, and the price of a gallon of milk was a little more than a dollar. It was 1963, and the residents of a small Arkansas town nestled at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains were eagerly awaiting the arrival of one of the most important persons on earth.

  • November 1963: a time of Building Strong for America

    DALLAS--Nov. 22, 1963, was likely a typical fall day in North Texas for employees of the Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which was headquartered in Dallas. Just as it does this year, Nov. 22 fell on a Friday in 1963, so a weekend was in the works. From their offices in downtown Dallas, SWD employees would have been taking care of their responsibilities as engineers, biologists, economists, hydrologists, foresters—the vast array of disciplines that make up the Corps.

  • JFK 50th anniversary: It's our choice to remember the dark side of history or the inspired leadership that continues to light the world

    DALLAS - Like afterimages seared into our mind’s eye long after the camera has stopped flashing, the assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas 50 years ago this month is replete with iconic images that marked my generation. These images, normally safely buried away, can quickly be summoned by hundreds of memories that swirl in and out of the streets and back roads of Dallas to this day.
  • Nicholas Emanuel supervisory contracting officer Transatlantic Afghanistan District

    Changing perspectives & nations - Afghanistan Mission

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Transatlantic Afghanistan District provides engineering and
  • Sharing his recollections of that fateful day almost 50 years ago, Jimmy Baggett, assistant chief, Engineering and Construction Division, was a Fort Worth District team member working in the Specifications Section that day. Baggett, considered the elder statesman and the unofficial historian of the District, makes himself available to answer questions and share his 57 years of experiences with the Corps. But still, fifty years removed, and many interviews later about the Kennedy Assassination, there is still a hint of sadness in his voice, a touch of sorrow in his eyes recounting that day.

    JFK assassination remembered by 57-year Fort Worth District team member Jimmy Baggett

    FORT WORTH, Texas - There have been moments throughout history that generations can point to and say “I remember exactly what I was doing at that moment.” Our generation has the tragic events of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The “Greatest Generation” the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 6, 1941. And for many in between those events there is the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Nov. 22, 1963.
  • ARLINGTON, Va. – The John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame sits dormant just prior to Secretary of the Army John McHugh transferring the JFK Eternal Flame back to its permanent location on Oct. 29, 2013, after repair work to the site was completed. The flame underwent a full replacement of gas and airlines, received new digital controls and sensors, as well as a new burner assembly. (U.S. Army photo/Patrick Bloodgood)

    Army Corps of Engineers: Keepers of the Flame

    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can lay claim to a vast array of famous projects since the Continental Congress authorized a “Chief Engineer for the Army” on June 16, 1775: Bunker Hill fortifications, the Panama Canal, the Manhattan Project, not to mention an abundance of locks, dams, and levees that help form the infrastructure of our nation.

  • Paying it Forward: USACE Engineers Serve as Mentors, Guest Lecturers

    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education is more than a passing trend for Derek Maxey and Don Whitmore, two registered professional engineers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District. Both quietly volunteer as guest lecturers at local universities, bringing their real-world experience and stories from the field to undergraduate students. Maxey, a mechanical engineer and Whitmore, a civil engineer, are committed to inspiring and mentoring tomorrow's engineers, they said.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District grades near the west tie in with the existing Bear Creek Road at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn., Oct. 9, 2013. AVISCO is a women-owned small business that has the contract for this project.

    Nashville District reaches women-owned small business milestone

    NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District exceeded its goal of two percent of all contractible actions for women-owned small businesses in fiscal year 2013. Roy Rossignol, Nashville District Small Business Office chief, said the achievement is significant because the district had upwards of $200 million in total contracts -- and awards went to more than 50 women-owned small businesses that accounted for about $21 million of that total.
  • Regulatory Specialist Brian Moore uses an interactive floodplain model to demonstrate how wetlands absorb storm water and filter drinking water to a class of third grade students at Marshpoint Elementary School, Nov.5, 2013.

    Corps teaches third-graders 'Regulatory 101'

    SAVANNAH, Ga. - Inside a colorful, decorated classroom at Marshpoint Elementary School, Brian Moore, a regulatory specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, poured a gallon of water over a row of sponges. "We use sponges to represent wetlands because they absorb and filter water," Moore explained to a group of third-graders. "Wetlands filter water so that it's clean for us to drink."
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District Civil Engineer Franchelle Craft served as a subject matter expert to students seeking to learn about African Americans in marine and coastal professions as part of Oppe Elementary Magnet Campus of Coastal Studies’ upcoming Black History Month celebration. Students interviewed Craft to learn about the role science and math plays in her everyday career at the Corps for a poster project that will highlight the Galveston District employee. USACE Galveston District’s Corps in the Classroom Program supports USACE' Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program, pairing Army personnel and civil engineers with students to provide opportunities for students to learn about the engineering and science career fields, educate the community about the Corps’ mission and highlight the district’s contributions to the community, state and nation.

    Craft recognized as BEYA STEM Science Spectrum Trailblazer

    GALVESTON, Texas -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District Civil Engineer Franchelle Craft was selected as a Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award recipient by the 28th Black Engineer of the Year Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Global Competitiveness Conference, an honor bestowed upon minority men and women who actively create new paths for others in science, research, technology and development.
  • Julie Morgan, a staff archeologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, stands next to a 5,000-pound piece of the CSS Georgia, a Civil War ironclad scuttled in the Savannah River in 1864. Removing the remains of the CSS Georgia is an environmental mitigation feature as part of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, a plan to deepen the Savannah shipping channel from 42 feet to 47 feet.USACE photo by Jason Okane.

    Army Corps, U.S. Navy retrieve piece of Civil War ironclad from Savannah River

    SAVANNAH, Ga.-- Archeologists working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, aided by divers and salvage operations teams from the U.S. Navy, retrieved a 64-square-foot section of a Civil War ironclad warship from the bottom of the Savannah River here, the evening of Nov. 12.
  • Great Bridge Lock, Chesapeake, Va.

    Norfolk District awards contract to isolate, identify damage to Great Bridge Lock

    Norfolk District has awarded U.S. Facilities, Inc. a contract modification to isolate and inspect the damaged valve at the Great Bridge Lock in Chesapeake, Va.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District welcomed over 600 contractors to Industry Day. The event to informed the contractors about upcoming military, civil works, environmental and Real Property Services Field Office contracting opportunities throughout fiscal year 2014 as well as a brief overview of the contracting process.

    Businesses come together at Industry Day

    More than 600 people filled the room eager to learn about the billions of dollars worth of work
  • Great Bridge Lock, Chesapeake, Va.

    Great Bridge Lock down; repairs underway

    The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working to repair the Great Bridge Lock after an underwater valve failed Tuesday.

  • US, Romania begin work on missile defense complex

    DEVESELU AIR BASE, Romania – Top U.S., Romanian and NATO officials broke ground Oct. 28 on a new ballistic missile defense facility being built to boost regional stability and strengthen the alliance’s collective security stance. The high-profile ceremony signaled the start of construction for the Aegis Ashore complex, the second of three stages in the European Phased Adaptive Approach to ballistic missile defense.

  • US, Romania begin work on missile defense complex

    Top U.S., Romanian and NATO officials broke ground Monday on a new ballistic missile defense facility being built to boost regional stability and strengthen the alliance’s collective security stance.
  • Great Bridge Lock, Chesapeake, Va.

    Great Bridge Lock down; Corps divers on the scene

    The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed the Great Bridge Lock in Chesapeake, Va., at approximately 7:30 a.m., today to repair inoperative valve.
  • David Quebedeaux has built miles of trails as part of his job with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and in his volunteer position with the Boy Scouts. While at the Philmont Scout Ranch this summer, Quebedeaux (left) and Eagle Scout Marshall Knox (right) and the rest of the crew helped lay out and begin construction on a new section of trail near the Cimarron River, shown here June 14, 2013. Courtesy photo.

    Corps park ranger builds future leaders through Boy Scouts

    CLARKS HILL, S.C.-David Quebedeaux has been in the "picnic table" business for 24 years. Among Quebedeaux's colleagues, that's an idiom for being a park ranger. "While other people go to school to be doctors or lawyers, I majored in picnic tables," he said.
  • PVA member Tommy and his son Max get ready to hunt from a wheelchair accessible hunting blind at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Richard B. Russell Lake.

    Helping heroes through hunting

    ELBERTON, Ga. - As part of an ongoing partnership with the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District hosted two deer hunts for PVA members and their families at Richard B. Russell Lake, Oct. 23 and 24. "We are honored to have a District-wide partnership with PVA to provide quality hunting and fishing opportunities for them and their families," said Zachary Baldwin, a natural resource specialist and event coordinator at the Russell Project Office.

  • Strengthening relationships with close allies through FMS

    WINCHESTER, Va. - The Middle East District hosted a delegation of military officers from the United Kingdom in Winchester, Va., Oct. 7-8. Visitors included Cmdr. Fiona Shepherd, Royal Navy; Maj. Paul Brooks, British Army; Capt. William Macgill, British Army; and Flight Lt. David Littlemore, Royal Air Force.
  • ARLINGTON, Va. -- Secretary of the Army John McHugh transfers the JFK Eternal Flame back to its permanent location on Oct. 29, 2013, after repair work to the site was completed. The flame underwent a full replacement of gas and airlines, received new digital controls and sensors, as well as a new burner assembly.

    McHugh relights JFK Eternal Flame at Arlington National Cemetery

    WASHINGTON-- On a perfect fall morning at Arlington National Cemetery, Secretary of the Army John McHugh relit the eternal flame which marks the final resting places of John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States, and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. A flame has actually been burning continuously at the site since the president was buried there Nov. 25, 1963. It was originally lit by Mrs. Kennedy.
  • Waves of colorful sea creatures and mermaids flooded the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, N.Y., this summer for the annual Mermaid Parade. Just months earlier, in the very same spot, Hurricane Sandy with her massive waves stormed ashore but not in such a festive mood...

    Army Corps continuing to make good progress on recovery efforts one year after Hurricane Sandy

    Waves of colorful sea creatures and mermaids flooded the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, N.Y., this summer for the annual Mermaid Parade. Just months earlier, in the very same spot, Hurricane Sandy with her massive waves stormed ashore but not in such a festive mood. After the storm retreated, leaving the beach a mess, it seemed the parade - which draws thousands of costumed participants each year - would not return.
  • LANSING, Iowa -- Tom Novak, project management, talks with federal and state partners on a recently built island within the Mississippi River near Lansing, Iowa, Aug. 23.

    USACE, partners build Mississippi River islands to protect aquatic habitat

    A series of recently restored islands nestled along the Mississippi River near Lansing, Iowa, were merely a design a few years ago. The construction is a part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program, also known as the Environmental Management Program. The program, according to Tom Novak, project management, is a multi-agency, multi-district program that is restoring aquatic habit along the river.

  • October

    ARLINGTON, Va. -- Secretary of the Army John McHugh transfers the JFK Eternal Flame back to its permanent location on Oct. 29, 2013, after repair work to the site was completed. The flame underwent a full replacement of gas and airlines, received new digital controls and sensors, as well as a new burner assembly.

    Temporary Flame transferred to permanent Eternal Flame at President John F. Kennedy's gravesite

    The temporary flame that has been operating at the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy and his family since this spring was transferred to the permanent Eternal Flame in a ceremony here, Oct. 29, 2013. The temporary flame was in place while upgrades and testing took place for the Eternal Flame.
  • ARLINGTON, Va. -- Secretary of the Army John McHugh transfers the JFK Eternal Flame back to its permanent location on Oct. 29, 2013, after repair work to the site was completed. The flame underwent a full replacement of gas and airlines, received new digital controls and sensors, as well as a new burner assembly.

    Temporary Flame transferred to permanent Eternal Flame at President John F. Kennedy's gravesite

    The temporary flame that has been operating at the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy and his family since this spring was transferred to the permanent Eternal Flame in a ceremony on Oct. 29, 2013.
  • Craney Island Dredged Material Management Area (CIDMMA), also known as Craney Island, is the “Jewel in the Port of Hampton Roads.” Since its construction in 1957, Craney Island’s centralized location provides a low-cost placement option for material dredged from Hampton Roads navigation channels, as well as from private dredging projects.

    Craney Island mosquito spraying set for Oct. 30

    The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the city of Portsmouth, Va., will conduct the final joint aerial mosquito spraying of the season tomorrow at federal properties on Craney Island, adjacent city properties and the Churchland area in Portsmouth.
  • Sand being placed at Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, part of the beach renourishment project for coastal storm risk reduction that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is managing in partnership with the state of New Jersey.

    Army Corps’ New York District Achieves Milestone for New Jersey Coastal Post-Sandy Restoration

    It’s been 12 months since Hurricane Sandy produced dire consequences for the region, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District is carrying out nearly $150 million worth of work to repair and restore coastal projects damaged by the infamous storm. The catastrophic event that led to these efforts is far from forgotten.
  • A sand and water slurry mixture pumps onto Rockaway Beach on August 15, 2013 as part of beach renourishment efforts there. The angle shows the severely eroded areas where sand will be placed next as well as some of the densely populated areas where the sand being placed will help to reduce risk from future storms. Post-Sandy sand placement activities are underway at Rockaway Beach in Queens, NY as part of a project placing roughly 3.5 million cubic yards onto the beach to help reduce risks from future storms.

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works after Sandy to repair and restore beaches in New York designed for coastal storm risk reduction

    When Hurricane Sandy struck the northeastern United States, a lot of its impacts were immediately obvious. From destroyed structures to massive power outages to flooding of communities and infrastructure like many had never seen before, the storm left its mark throughout the region. One of Sandy’s less obvious impacts at first was the damage it caused to engineered beaches throughout the region, including in New York City and Long Island.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel discuss beach renourishment activities at the site of active sand placement work in the Rockaways August 15, 2013. Post-Sandy sand placement activities are underway at Rockaway Beach in Queens, NY as part of a project placing roughly 3.5 million cubic yards onto the beach to help reduce risks from future storms

    Army Corps continuing to make good progress on recovery efforts one year after Hurricane Sandy

    Waves of colorful sea creatures and mermaids flooded the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, N.Y., this summer for the annual Mermaid Parade. Just months earlier, in the very same spot, Hurricane Sandy with her massive waves stormed ashore but not in such a festive mood.