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 SAFELY 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.

  • April

    US Army Corps of Engineers delivers readiness capabilities in US Central Command

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the force behind the force, delivering mission-critical infrastructure that sustains and strengthens military readiness in one of the most complex operational environments. Across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the Army Corps of Engineers designs and constructs facilities that enable U.S. forces to operate, train, and sustain mission readiness. A Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility, or TEMF, sets the standard for sustainment operations. A TEMF is a standardized facility designed to provide the U.S. Army with the necessary infrastructure to maintain, repair, and sustain its equipment.
  • March

    From Soldier to civilian: An Army engineer’s life-long dedication to those on the front lines

    Roger Vogler’s journey with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one defined by dedication, experience, and a commitment to supporting Soldiers. Marking 40 years in federal service in February and celebrating 30 years as a licensed Professional Engineer, Vogler – a U.S. Army veteran – reflects on a career that has spanned both military and civilian service and made a lasting impact on the lives of warfighters on the front lines.
  • February

    How an Army Engineer is Making an Impact with USACE in CENTCOM

    In the ever-evolving operational landscape of the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stands as a crucial force in strengthening infrastructure, enhancing security, and delivering the engineering support and services essential for sustained military and partner-nation success. For U.S. Army Sergeant Major Alan E. Thomas, Jr., a seasoned Army engineer and project manager currently serving with the Expeditionary District in Kuwait, the experience of working within USACE is proving to be a career defining experience.
  • USACE and Kuwait mission partners align on missile facility renovation

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers professionals recently joined Kuwaiti defense leaders and industry partners for a weeklong planning session focused on the renovation of the Kuwait Missile Assembly/Disassembly Facility. Held Jan.19-23, 2025, at the Al Hashemi Marine Museum in Kuwait City, the event brought together representatives from the USACE Kuwait Program Management Office, the U.S. Office of Military Cooperation – Kuwait, the Kuwait Air Defense, Kuwait Ministry of Defence Armament & Procurement Authority and Military Engineering Projects, and private industry partners. The goal of the session was to define the full scope of the renovation project and ensure alignment across all stakeholders, reinforcing Kuwait’s air defense capabilities and overall mission readiness.
  • USACE Breaks Ground on Warehouses for Kuwait’s legendary 35th Brigade

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers marked a major milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for a critical infrastructure project in Kuwait, Jan. 21. The $39.9 million initiative will deliver five multi-functional warehouses for Kuwait’s legendary 35th Armored Brigade, reinforcing USACE’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and building capacity for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense.
  • Charting Success: Governance Week at USACE’s Tip of the Spear

    In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, success is no accident—it’s the result of careful planning, insightful analysis, and decisive leadership. Sitting at the tip of the USACE spear in Kuwait, the Transatlantic Expeditionary District supports U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, executing a $520 million dollar program that delivers critical infrastructure and engineering solutions across the region. Once a month, the district’s leaders, directors, and chiefs gathered District Governance Week, an essential event where collaboration meets strategy, and data drives decisions that shape the future.
  • USACE Engineer earns PE, strengthening the mission from the frontlines

    Balancing a high-tempo mission in the U.S. Central Command area of operations with the rigorous demands of professional certification, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Expeditionary District engineer Tanner Cowan pushed himself to new heights—earning his Professional Engineer license while actively supporting critical engineering, design, and construction efforts. His achievement not only marks a personal milestone but also enhances USACE’s ability to deliver engineering excellence in one of the world’s most complex operational environments.
  • November

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division attends opening of facility supporting Veterans

    Officers assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division attended the grand opening of Shenandoah University’s Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE) last month.
  • More than a ceremony: The weight of leadership for an Army CSM

    While a new commander’s arrival brings a Change of Command—a formal passing of authority—the role of command sergeant major, or CSM, carries a different weight. For the CSM, it isn’t about authority; it’s about responsibility. The Change of Responsibility ceremony is a testament to that unique and often unseen duty—a duty that runs through every layer of the U.S. Army, from the strategic missions to the day-to-day lives of Soldiers and civilians.
  • October

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division Personnel Support Hawaii Wildfires Recovery

    Several staff members assigned to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division were activated to support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers response to the Hawaii wildfires.