565th FEST rolls out while 553rd gets boots on the ground

Published March 6, 2019
565th FEST team assessing an issue at one of the bases in Afghanistan.

565th FEST team assessing an issue at one of the bases in Afghanistan.

Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical engineers brainstorm to come up with a solution as part of the 565th FEST team.

Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical engineers brainstorm to come up with a solution as part of the 565th FEST team.

Afghanistan District Commander Jason Kelly welcomes the incoming FEST-A team Officer in Charge Christopher George to the mission in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan District Commander Jason Kelly welcomes the incoming FEST-A team Officer in Charge Christopher George to the mission in Afghanistan.

Prior to heading out to complete a task the 565th FEST team gathers their facts and way forward.

Prior to heading out to complete a task the 565th FEST team gathers their facts and way forward.

As outgoing FEST OIC shakes the hand of incoming FEST NCOIC, he just couldn't resist shouting out Go Army! Beat Navy!

As outgoing FEST OIC shakes the hand of incoming FEST NCOIC, he just couldn't resist shouting out Go Army! Beat Navy!

As part of a normal rotation we bid farewell to the 565th Forward Engineer Support Team (FEST-A). This team arrived about a month and a half earlier than scheduled to minimize an underlap. Nine members made up this team to include Civil, Structural, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, along with an Architect and a GIS team member. The team also included three enablers who assisted with the heavy load of project designs, two Civil and one Electrical engineer who remain dispersed within USACE.

The departing FEST team was a conglomerate of professionals from all over the USACE enterprise encompassing Mobile District, Seattle, and Omaha through Huntsville, Dallas/Fort Worth and Philadelphia Districts.

During their tour here they had several technical engineering issues, mainly electrical. “There were several locations in TAAC-North and TAAC-East where the generators were failing and the electrical team had to assess the problems and come up with solutions for the units to execute,” said MAJ Corey Burns, 565th Officer in Charge.

He went on to say that some of the issues were as simple as the altitude negatively affecting the generators and some were dynamic as redesigning the whole electrical infrastructure. They also went to several sites to conduct structural assessments.

“One in particular was Finley Shields where they hosted several Shuras in preparation for the upcoming elections,” Burns said. Our structural engineer had to assess nine buildings to ensure that they met code.

Throughout the FEST team’s nine months they were able to complete a total of 164 projects. And as the team headed out, the biggest take-away said Burns, “Was that team work makes the dream work. We all worked together in order to achieve USFOR-A JENG’s end state and we were able to Deliver the Program to more than 21 units throughout the footprint in Afghanistan.”

And as those 18 feet marched on out of Afghanistan, new boots were on the ground with the arrival of the 553rd FEST making their arrival into theater.

USACE Afghanistan District welcomes MAJ George and his team and look forward to the continuing partnership which keeps the mission a Castle Strong endeavor.  “The 553rd FEST-A will work hard to maintain the high standards the Transatlantic Afghanistan District has established,” said George.


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.