Home / Media / News Stories

News Stories

  • April

    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.

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

    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.

  • March

    Adam Telle (left), Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, observed the Port of Nome in western Alaska on a site visit on Mar. 25, 2026.

    Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works visits Nome

    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.

  • January

    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.

    Michelle Mandel named chief of Alaska District's Contracting Division

    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.
  • 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.

    John Raso named director of programs and project management

    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.

  • December

    Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, district commander, presented a certificate of retirement to Randy Bowker, deputy district engineer and director of programs and project management, in a ceremony at the district headquarters on Dec. 16, 2025.

    Randy Bowker retires from Alaska District after 33 years of service

    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.
  • Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, former commander of the Pacific Palisades Emergency Field Office, visited debris removal sites in the Pacific Palisades on May 19. Palazzini served in his role as commander for nearly four months, providing critical leadership and engaging with the community in support of the debris removal mission. USACE photo by Melanie Peterson.

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

    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.

  • September

    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. The $332 million project will construct a state-of-the-art, 150,000-square-foot, two-story building designed to withstand cold weather conditions. Areas include 11 simulator rooms, briefing rooms, mission operation centers, central server room, storage and more. The JITTC-E is designed to aid face-to-face mission planning, briefing, execution, supervision and debriefing at the highest tactical and operational levels of the Air Force.

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

    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.
  • The newly constructed concrete barrier reaches up to 65 feet deep, adding stability to the foundations of Moose Creek Dam and limiting internal erosion during periods of flooding.

    Barrier wall project at Moose Creek Dam reaches completion

    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.
  • 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.

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

    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.

  • August

    Command Sgt. Maj. Zachary Plummer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Pacific Ocean Division assists the street team of the City and Borough of Juneau to repair a temporary flood protection barrier along the Mendenhall River

    Temporary flood barriers prove effective during flood event in Juneau

    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.