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  • 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.

  • 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.

  • March

    Mr. Pinkham with the Nome Eskimo Community

    Army’s deputy for civil works tours newly funded projects, emphasizes tribal partnerships in Alaska

    Members of the traveling party with Jaime Pinkham, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, witnessed this polar bear encounter near the community of Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, while touring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District’s Barrow Coastal Erosion Project. During the week of Feb. 21, the dignitary visited several civil works projects in the state that were recently funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. In total, this congressionally authorized funding will provide nearly $1 billion for civil works construction in Alaska.
  • Maj. Gen. William Graham, deputy commanding general of civil and emergency operations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (sixth from left), stands on the control works of the Moose Creek Dam with representatives of the Chena River Lakes Flood Control project on Feb. 19 near North Pole.

    General visits northernmost USACE-run flood control project

    Maj. Gen. William H. Graham, deputy commanding general of civil and emergency operations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, visited the Moose Creek Dam on Feb. 19 while touring the organization’s northernmost flood control project. Col. Kirk Gibbs, USACE Pacific Ocean Division commander, and Col. Damon Delarosa, USACE Alaska District commander, accompanied the general.