Protecting the Force by holding quarterly drills

USACE Afghanistan District
Published Sept. 1, 2018
Securing the gear and items before movement to Camp Black are from left; Emilija Kolevski, Chief of Engineering and Technical Services  Division; Nathan Alford, Operations and Maintenance O&M) COR); Patrick Grey, Civil Engineer; Tyler Crumbley, Quality Assurance Manager; Julie Meyer, Contracting  Specialist; and Penny Coulon, Lead O&M COR.

Securing the gear and items before movement to Camp Black are from left; Emilija Kolevski, Chief of Engineering and Technical Services Division; Nathan Alford, Operations and Maintenance O&M) COR); Patrick Grey, Civil Engineer; Tyler Crumbley, Quality Assurance Manager; Julie Meyer, Contracting Specialist; and Penny Coulon, Lead O&M COR.

Waiting in the bunker room at Camp Black are from left; Versar contractors, Nathan Alford, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) COR); Tyler Crumbley, Quality Assurance Manager; Brian Pitt, Electrical Engineer; Versar contractor who is camera shy; Brian Cagle, Project Engineer; and Ronald Clark, Logistics Specialist.

Waiting in the bunker room at Camp Black are from left; Versar contractors, Nathan Alford, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) COR); Tyler Crumbley, Quality Assurance Manager; Brian Pitt, Electrical Engineer; Versar contractor who is camera shy; Brian Cagle, Project Engineer; and Ronald Clark, Logistics Specialist.

Tech Sergeant Leighton, Camp Black NCOIC and Sergeant 1st Class Michael Pineda, KAF Detachment Sergeant conducted an After Action Review immediately following the drill.

Tech Sergeant Leighton, Camp Black NCOIC and Sergeant 1st Class Michael Pineda, KAF Detachment Sergeant conducted an After Action Review immediately following the drill.

After Action Review is conducted after the Camp Black drill by Tech Sergeant Leighton, Camp Black NCOIC, and Sergeant 1st Class Michael Pineda, KAF Detachment Sergeant, with Richard Ott, Chief of Technical Services Branch and a Versar contractor listening in at the Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

After Action Review is conducted after the Camp Black drill by Tech Sergeant Leighton, Camp Black NCOIC, and Sergeant 1st Class Michael Pineda, KAF Detachment Sergeant, with Richard Ott, Chief of Technical Services Branch and a Versar contractor listening in at the Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

Tech Sergeant Leighton, Camp Black NCOIC and Sergeant 1st Class Michael Pineda, KAF Detachment Sergeant conducted an After Action Review immediately following the drill.

Tech Sergeant Leighton, Camp Black NCOIC and Sergeant 1st Class Michael Pineda, KAF Detachment Sergeant conducted an After Action Review immediately following the drill.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers Detachment in Kandahar, Afghanistan and Task Force Black (Camp Black), an Air Force unit conducted a ground attack drill with a partnering organization adjacent to Kandahar Air Field (KAF) to wrap up the month of August.

In a matter of minutes the drill began, there was 100 percent of USACE employee accountability, movement to Camp Black was completed, and all personnel were expeditiously and safely accounted for inside the designated bunker room.

Eighteen minutes later the drill was complete and an After Action Review (AAR) was conducted.

“We need to be aware of our surroundings and care for each other,” said Afghanistan District Commander, Jason Kelly. “Be aware of complacency and the results of it.”

These quarterly drills are needed and in Kandahar with the neighboring units. With the number of personnel on the KAF Compound the Officer in Charge is ensuring that one of the district commander’s top five priorities is being enforced and perfected.

“We must never become complacent in what is still a dangerous world, “as quoted by Steve Largent.


The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division serves as USACE’s tip of the spear in one of the most dynamic construction environments in the world, STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS, BUILDING CAPACITY, and ENHANCING SECURITY for our nation, allies, and partners. 

We deliver agile, responsive, and innovative, design, construction, engineering and contingency solutions in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and other global partners to advance national security interests.

Transatlantic Division News

  • February

    USACE Transatlantic Division: Setting Extraordinary Standards as ‘Partner of Choice’ in CENTCOM AOR

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division stands as a pivotal force in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility. Since the 1950s, the Division has actively shaped the landscape of engineering, design, and construction across the Middle East. Transforming from its initial focus on basic military construction, the Division now leads sophisticated, large-scale infrastructure projects, demonstrating a deep commitment to building capacity and enhancing security in the region. By setting and consistently upholding extraordinary operational standards, it has established itself as the ‘partner of choice.’
  • January

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division Commander Promoted to Brigadier General

    Col. William C. Hannan, Jr., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division commander, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General during a ceremony here Jan. 16.
  • October

    On Solid Ground: Army Values are the Foundation of USACE Transatlantic Division’s Mission

    With a history of more than 70 years in the region, the Transatlantic Division oversees more than $5 billion in projects including military construction programs, force protection innovations, and security cooperation initiatives, strengthening Army readiness, enhancing vital infrastructure, and deepening global partnerships. Each action reinforces the Army's unwavering commitment to its service members and global partners.
  • USACE Innovation: The Key to 'Building Strong' in the CENTCOM AOR

    For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division, innovation is the essential energy that drives success. From the initial development phase of a project, through the design and construction, and well into the operational phase, innovation drives the relentless pursuit of excellence, supporting sustainable strategies and fostering the development of long-lasting, reliable solutions.
  • September

    USACE Transatlantic Division supports Typhoon Mawar disaster relief

    A staff member assigned to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division was activated and sent to Guam from June until July to assist FEMA, federal partners and territorial officials’ response to the typhoon which caused significant impacts to essential services throughout portions of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, including water, energy and transportation.
  • ‘Go Army, Beat Navy’: A Time-honored Rivalry Transformed into Integrated Partnership in Bahrain

    In a series of key leader engagements, U.S. Army Col. William C. Hannan, Jr., Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division commander, visited Bahrain on Sept. 11, to fortify the already strong inter-service partnerships with the Naval Forces Central Command and Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
  • August

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division participates in Eagle Resolve 2023

    Two staff members assigned U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 21- 25, 2023 to participate in Eagle Resolve 2023, a Combined Joint All-Domain exercise which improves interoperability on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace with the U.S. military and partner nations, enhances the ability to respond to contingencies, and underscores USCENTCOM's commitment to the Middle East.
  • June

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division welcomes individual mobilization augmentees for annual training

    Soldiers arrived here this month to participate in a variety of training and readiness events as part of their duties as individual mobilization augmentees assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division.
  • Being All We Can Be – The Transatlantic Division’s 70+ year legacy remains an integral part of the U.S. Army's enduring story

    As the nation commemorates the U.S. Army's 248th birthday on June 14th, the Army Corps of Engineers stands as a strong pillar of support, reaffirming its indispensable role in fortifying the Army's mission. With a rich and storied history dating back to the Revolutionary War, the Army Corps of Engineers has steadfastly provided a strong foundation, showcasing its significance in diverse operations, infrastructure development, and disaster response efforts. The Army's enduring motto, "Be all you can be," resonates deeply with the Army Corps of Engineers and our collective commitment to Building Strong as we march forward to the shout of “Essayons! (Let us try).
  • Safety at the Tip of the Spear – USACE Transatlantic Division highlights Safety program across the CENTCOM AOR

    The Transatlantic Division serves as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ tip of the spear in one of the most dynamic construction environments in the world. Ensuring that building strong is synonymous with building safely, the Transatlantic Division’s Safety Office maintains an unwavering dedication to the well-being of the service members and civilians who execute the nearly $5 billion dollar program in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Forces Command and other global partners across the Middle East and Central Asia. The CENTCOM AOR presents unique and varied safety challenges, from diverse environments like deserts, seaports, and urban areas, to wide ranging cultural considerations and diversity of languages, as well as security considerations surrounding ongoing military operations. The Transatlantic Division and its Districts overcomes all of this and continues to set the standard for Safety programs in the region.