Alaska District News

Sec. Telle outlines Corps’ flood mitigation efforts for Mendenhall Glacier

Nahaku McFadden — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:40:00 GMT

The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Adam Telle, visited Juneau last week to observe the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) ongoing solutions to address flooding ahead of the annual Mendenhall Glacier Outburst Flooding Events, also known as GLOFs.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works visits Nome

Cameron McLeod — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:36:22 GMT

Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, visited Nome and met with local officials to observe and discuss the Port of Nome Modification Project on Mar. 25, 2026. Maj. Gen. Jason Kelly, deputy commanding general for Civil and Emergency Operations; Brig. Gen. Joseph Goetz, commanding general of the Pacific Ocean Division; and Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, commander of the Alaska District, also represented USACE at the event.

Michelle Mandel named chief of Alaska District's Contracting Division

Cameron McLeod — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:29:13 GMT

Michelle Mandel became the chief of the Contracting Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District on January 25, 2026. In this role, she oversees contracting work for the diverse mission portfolio of the district, which includes military, civil works, environmental and other agency construction projects across the state and in multiple countries.

John Raso named director of programs and project management

Pentagon News — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:09:25 GMT

The Alaska District selected John Raso as Deputy District Engineer for Program Management (DPM) and Chief of the Program and Projects Management Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District in January 2026. In this position he provides oversight of the district’s various programs and activities throughout the state and is responsible for ensuring efficient and timely delivery of military, civil works, environmental, and other agency construction projects with an average annual value in excess of $800 million.

Randy Bowker retires from Alaska District after 33 years of service

Cameron McLeod — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:45:47 GMT

The Alaska District celebrated the retirement of Randy Bowker, deputy district engineer and director of programs and project management, in a ceremony at the district headquarters on Dec. 16. Brig. Gen. Joseph “Clete” Goetz, commanding general of the Pacific Ocean Division, and Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, district commander, presented multiple awards, including the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal, Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and a certificate of retirement to Bowker at the event. In addition, staff from around the district offered gifts in appreciation of his service to the organization.

USACE commander reflects on deployment to wildfire debris removal mission in southern California

Cameron McLeod — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 23:03:00 GMT

Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, commander of the USACE - Alaska District, served as the commander of the Pacific Palisades emergency field office, or EFO, for nearly four months in 2025. In this capacity, he served as a crucial leader and resource for other deployed personnel as they worked tirelessly to clear debris from the community, enabling residents and business owners to safely proceed in their recovery efforts.

USACE breaks ground on Joint Integrated Test and Training Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Cameron McLeod — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 23:20:18 GMT

Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, district commander, joined Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham, commander of Alaska NORAD Region, Alaskan Command and Eleventh Air Force, and other distinguished guests to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Joint Integrated Test and Training Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Sep. 22. The center will be the first of its kind, enabling important joint and multinational force training.

Barrier wall project at Moose Creek Dam reaches completion

Cameron McLeod — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:11 GMT

Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, district commander, attended the ribbon cutting for the Moose Creek Dam Safety Modification Project near North Pole on Sep. 11. He joined representatives of the Fairbanks – North Star Borough and contractor as well as the USACE team in celebrating the significant milestone.

Alaska District celebrates ribbon cutting for Dutch Harbor Channels Project in Unalaska

Cameron McLeod — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:27:40 GMT

Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, district commander, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Dutch Harbor Channels Project in the community of Unalaska on Sep. 2. He joined Vincent Tutiakoff, mayor of Unalaska, Bil Homka, city manager, and members of the City Council to celebrate the critical milestone at the harbor.

Temporary flood barriers prove effective during flood event in Juneau

Cameron McLeod and John Budnik — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 21:38:43 GMT

During the week of August 11, the Mendenhall Glacier released its yearly glacier lake outburst flood, also known as a jökulhlaup (Yah-cuh-laup). In preparation for the potential threat to infrastructure and public safety, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided temporary flood mitigation barriers to the City and Borough of Juneau last winter. While USACE continues to prepare a technical study that will help to define the parameters of an enduring flood risk mitigation solution, these barriers provided vital short-term protection to the community along the river this week by holding back the glacial water released from Suicide Basin and performing well during the peak of the floodwaters.

USACE breaks ground at coastal erosion project in Alaskan community of Utqiagvik

Cameron McLeod — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 21:38:16 GMT

Representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Barrow Coastal Erosion Project in the community of Utqiagvik on Aug. 11. They joined representatives of the North Slope Borough and the contractor to celebrate the construction of the critical shoreline protection, which began in July after the first batch of armor rock arrived from Nome on the 28th.

14-year multipurpose disaster shelter program reaches completion in Bangladesh

Cameron McLeod — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 18:14:44 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District recently completed a robust construction effort aimed at reducing the threat of coastal storms to communities in eastern Bangladesh. Multipurpose Disaster Shelters, or MPDSs, are tailor-made for the volatile conditions of cyclone season. During periods of normal weather, these structures serve functions such as schools and clinics. When the annual storms bring severe flooding, the shelters are built to stand above the flooding and provide secure, elevated spaces for the community.

Geotechnical chief completes temporary duty trip in Antarctica

Cameron McLeod — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 17:27:38 GMT

Amy Steiner, chief of the Geotechnical and Materials Section, recently completed a temporary duty trip to McMurdo Station in Antarctica, where she supported the installation of a marine resupply and cargo transport pier. During her time in Antarctica, Steiner also provided review and comments on the ad-freeze pile design and construction methods. She attended a pre-construction meeting with the project team, including representatives from the Marine Design Center and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

Small projects in Vietnam yield huge impacts for citizens, diplomatic relations

John Budnik — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Recently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District completed construction of two primary schools and a medical clinic in rural parts of Vietnam. Through a partnership between the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, USACE, Vietnam government and local contractors, the United States government aims to enhance the quality of life for Vietnamese residents through these projects while strengthening diplomatic relations between the two nations.

USACE completes handover of newly constructed kindergarten building in Mongolia

Cameron McLeod — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 18:38:13 GMT

While Alaska and Mongolia are separated by an ocean, the two regions share some key characteristics. Frigid climates, rugged mountains and austere regions can make for challenging construction, but staff at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District are experts at delivering high-quality infrastructure in arctic conditions. The team recently celebrated the handover of a newly constructed kindergarten building in the remote community of Tosontsengel. For this critical project, their experience in Alaska guided them to an effective construction solution while thousands of miles from home.

USACE staff observe dam infrastructure in Switzerland in preparation for tunnel project in Alaska

Cameron McLeod — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 18:20:53 GMT

Staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District toured dam infrastructure in the heart of the rugged Swiss Alps as part of a temporary duty trip. After cataloguing their findings abroad, the team returned to Alaska with a renewed perspective for the improvement of the Lowell Creek Flood Diversion project set in similar mountains near Seward.

Half-billion-dollar F-35 infrastructure program wraps up at Eielson Air Force Base

John Budnik — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 22:51:00 GMT

Understanding the need for supporting infrastructure for one of the nation’s most advanced weapon systems, the Department of Defense invested about $600 million on a beddown program at the installation located near North Pole, Alaska. Also known as the “joint strike fighter,” the two squadrons consist of 54 aircraft that now have the proper facilities to support their missions thanks to the design and construction work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District.

USACE regulatory program celebrates rollout of new online permitting system to augment critical mission

Cameron McLeod — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 21:09:00 GMT

From the crystalline glacial streams of the Kenai Peninsula to the remote lakes of the Interior, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District’s Regulatory Division is tasked with protecting aquatic resources while balancing reasonable development through the issuing of permits. With an added emphasis on high-quality customer service, USACE recently unveiled the new Regulatory Request System as an important new development for the regulatory mission and for permittees to engage with the program.

Concrete is hard: Materials workshop keeps technical staff skills sharp

Cameron McLeod — Tue, 07 May 2024 18:00:47 GMT

Recently, members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District’s Construction Division, Civil and Sanitary Section and Geotechnical and Materials Section participated in a field concrete and materials workshop at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The event included classroom instruction, applied training and a written exam for attendees to obtain the American Concrete Institute’s foundational Level One Field Concrete Certification, which acts as the industry standard for engineers and construction workers around the world.

USACE engineer support team provides expertise, broadens professional experience on European deployment

Cameron McLeod — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 19:00:14 GMT

Headquartered at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District and staffed with engineering professionals from throughout USACE, the 62nd Forward Engineer Support Team – Advanced, or FEST-A, is one of eight expeditionary teams that provides rapidly deployable engineering capabilities throughout the world. Primarily composed of civilian employees, these critical personnel groups perform infrastructure damage assessments, environmental surveys and building plans in support of the Army’s mission abroad.