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Author: John Budnik
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  • April

    Scooby, a boxer-breed dog, fell through thawing ice on the Eagle River April 18 near Anchorage leading her frantic owner to call for help. Luckily, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District employee Mike MacMillan, project manager in the Humanitarian Assistance Program, was home to answer the call from his neighbor in distress.

    Corps employee saves canine from watery demise

    Scooby, a boxer-breed dog, fell through thawing ice on the Eagle River April 18 near Anchorage leading her frantic owner to call for help. Luckily, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District employee Mike MacMillan, project manager in the Humanitarian Assistance Program, was home to answer the call from his neighbor in distress.

  • July

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District recently constructed a new 102-foot-tall radio tower July 2 near the headquarters building on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The structure will enhance the high-frequency radio capabilities of the district’s Emergency Management Office during a disaster. High-frequency radio allows global communications with outside partners when all other means of contact have failed.

    Proven technology remains viable disaster communication tool

    High-frequency radio has withstood the historical evolution of telecommunications and remains a relevant means to transmit information over long distances. The mode is used by emergency management organizations and amateur enthusiasts, also known as ham operators. Therefore, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District is currently upgrading its capabilities with a new antenna.

  • June

    Retired Col. Amos Mathews served as the district engineer from 1970-1973. He is one of 26 soldiers to have served as the Alaska District commander during the 68-year history of the organization. His image is displayed among a group of leaders that are now pillars of Corps engineering history in Alaska. An ecstatic Col. Christopher Lestochi, the current district commander, hosted Mathews during a visit to the headquarters building at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson June 9.

    Former district commander visits old stomping grounds

    Retired Col. Amos Mathews is one of 26 soldiers to have served as the Alaska District commander during the 68-year history of the organization. His image is displayed among a group of leaders that are now pillars of Corps engineering history in Alaska. An ecstatic Col. Christopher Lestochi, the current district commander, hosted Mathews during a visit to the headquarters building at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson June 9.

  • April

    Col. Christopher Lestochi (left), Alaska District commander, was present for Master Sgt. Darnyell Parker's recognition of promotion to the rank of sergeant major at the Joint Chief Master Sergeant and Sergeant Major Recognition Ceremony Feb. 21 with Parker's wife, Michele, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Parker is currently the noncommissioned officer in charge of the district's Military Contingency Contracting Team that helps support the humanitarian assistance program in Southeast Asia.

    Knack for negotiating leads Soldier to military contracting

    If speeding tickets kindled his Army career, then an act of generosity provided the spark. For a 20-year-old young man from Suffolk, Va., this was the case when his father’s best friend paid the traffic citations barring him from serving his country.
  • A few boys stand next to one of the new water spigots in Puttalam, Sri Lanka. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District, U.S. Pacific Command and the U.S. Agency for International Aid are coordinating an effort to connect 371 family households to the town's water supply.

    Corps clean water project quenches thirst in Sri Lanka

    Clean water to satisfy parched throats and more time for other activities are becoming a new standard for 371 families living below Sri Lanka’s poverty line. The new hookups are drawing water from existing main supply pipes owned and operated by the Puttalam Water District alongside neighborhood roads. The additional network is delivering water to resident’s front door steps through an outdoor spigot and water meter.

  • February

    Twenty-four children between the ages 9 and 17 visited the district headquarters building Feb. 14 to participate in the biennial Bring Your Youth to Work Day event. The kids were encouraged to think about future careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Demonstrations exposed them to different elements of the Corps of Engineers such as breakwaters, cost engineering, computer generated modeling, environmental sampling and wetland permitting.

    Corps brings youth to work, promotes love for hard sciences

    A youthful spirit bounced through the halls of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District as children learned about the different responsibilities of the organization that employs their parents.
  • Mike Alley, civil engineer in the Design Branch at the Alaska District, instructs Jarrett Oney Feb. 18 about a storm water outfall on Kodiak Island. Alley is mentoring Oney who is a local high school student and member of the Anchorage School District Gifted Mentorship Program. Alley's passion for teaching led him to volunteer his time and expertise to the program.

    Passion for teaching leads Corps engineer to gifted youth

    One U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District employee is influencing future careers in the hard sciences by mentoring Anchorage’s most talented high school students. For Mike Alley, coaching youth comes naturally and is an example of his selfless service to the nation.

  • January

    Richard David, a civil engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District, volunteered for 45 days during the 2013 spring flood crisis in Galena, Alaska. His tour of duty provided the citizens of Galena with helping hands and a familiar face.

    Lifelong Alaskan gives Corps a familiar face

    Calling him a late bloomer would be as inaccurate as saying Alaska is not cold in winter – conditions he is acquainted with when working at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District’s Northern Area Office in Fairbanks.

  • December

    Maj. Mark DeRocchi, deputy commander of the Alaska District, and a few other Corps employees visited with students of Mount Spurr, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor Elementary schools during the week of Nov.18-22 to encourage their studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM. Students learned about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the roles of its different divisions and the Corps’ contribution to their community. Using toothpicks and marshmallows, the children got to build their own bridge and test its strength using toy cars with a time limit of 10 minutes.

    Corps promotes engineering skills at local schools

    “It’s the future,” said Steve Grabowski, an Anchorage School District teacher, about the importance of exposing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education to elementary students.
  • Maj. Mark DeRocchi, deputy commander of the Alaska District, talks to new interns of the Arctic Trailblazer Internship Program from the 2nd Engineer Brigade about the different divisions within the district and their missions. The program’s goal is to update Soldiers on the best engineering practices, increase safety awareness to the standards of the civilian industry and support the training goals of the brigade.

    Corps partners with local brigade to expand training opportunities for Soldiers

    With every nugget of engineering expertise his mentors share with him, Sgt. 1st Class Ron Albert’s confidence grows as he performs his temporary duties with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District.