Engineering excellence earns top award recognition

The Kandahar Project Delivery Platform Engineering Team joins in to the Awards Ceremony in Bagram via Virtual Teleconferencing from Kandahar to be a part of the final presentation to Ms. Kolevski.

The Kandahar Project Delivery Platform Engineering Team joins in to the Awards Ceremony in Bagram via Virtual Teleconferencing from Kandahar to be a part of the final presentation to Ms. Kolevski.

Emilija Kolevski remembers some fond moments and highlights of her deployment with the USACE Afghanistan District, serving as the Chief of Engineering and Technical Services Division out of the Kandahar Project Delivery Platform.

Emilija Kolevski remembers some fond moments and highlights of her deployment with the USACE Afghanistan District, serving as the Chief of Engineering and Technical Services Division out of the Kandahar Project Delivery Platform.

Emilija Kolevski proudly displays her NATO, Global War on Terrorism, and Meritorious Civilian Service Medals as Command Sergeant Major Nate Atkinson and Commanding Officer, Col. Jason E. Kelly, Afghanistan District support the redeployment of Kolevski to her home station.

Emilija Kolevski proudly displays her NATO, Global War on Terrorism, and Meritorious Civilian Service Medals as Command Sergeant Major Nate Atkinson and Commanding Officer, Col. Jason E. Kelly, Afghanistan District support the redeployment of Kolevski to her home station.

Col. Jason E. Kelly pins on the third of three medals awarded to Emilija Kolevski as she ends her deployment in support of the Afghanistan USACE District.

Col. Jason E. Kelly pins on the third of three medals awarded to Emilija Kolevski as she ends her deployment in support of the Afghanistan USACE District.

Emilija M. Kolevski wears the prescribed USACE civilian uniform one last time while deployed for the Transatlantic Afghanistan District.

Emilija M. Kolevski wears the prescribed USACE civilian uniform one last time while deployed for the Transatlantic Afghanistan District.

The Secretary of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, was awarded to Ms. Emilija M. Kolevski for exceptionally meritorious service as the Chief of Engineering and Technical Services Division while deployed in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Kolevski oversaw the engineering and technical services (operations and maintenance) in support of the Transatlantic Afghanistan District mission. The Division headquartered at the Kandahar Project Delivery Platform included a cadre of engineers: civil, mechanical, electrical, cost, and architectural; a team of contracting officer’s representatives (CORs), and in addition, more than 150 Local Nationals that provide site assessments and other technical work through the USACE District’s personal service contract.

“My job responsibilities were numerous and reached across the organization,” Kolevski said. She planned the work to be accomplished and set and adjusted priorities and schedules for completion of the work in this contingency environment. As the senior civilian for the Kandahar platform she oversaw hiring actions for the Division and recommended personnel appointments, promotions or reassignments of such positions.

Along with identifying and providing resources to accomplish the mission, she managed transitions in a dynamic environment.

Kolevski from the USACE Los Angeles District began with the Corps more than 10 years ago following an economic recession in 2010 which led to drastically reduced hours while she was working for URS (AECOM). She was the Deputy Chief of Engineering Division there prior to her deployment to the Afghanistan District.

The Transatlantic Afghanistan District supports the “train, advise, and assist” mission in theater. “This is how we contribute to the establishment of peace, and reduction of conflict in Afghanistan. Through our efforts to build facilities and infrastructure to support Afghan Self Defense Forces and the International Coalition Forces, and by training and employing hundreds of local national Afghan Engineers and technical support personnel through our personal service contract, we are establishing a foundation for peace in Afghanistan,” Kolevski said.

What compelled her to apply for the opportunity to deploy to the District was the great mission USACE is enduring in support of a better future for the people of this country, even though she noted the challenges, but also the extreme rewards to be contributing in this way.

With a successful tour behind her and a great team to carry on the mission, she is now able to enjoy spending time with her kids, and curling up to a good book if not taking a hike or continuing on in her travels.

She returns with a great sense of pride and the Global War on Terrorism and NATO medal. Not to mention her name is forever written on the Kandahar Project Delivery Platform Brick Wall, joining many who have been here before her, and many more to join in on the mission to build capacity within the population of Afghanistan.


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.

Transatlantic Division News

  • November

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  • October

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

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  • Engineering the Future: The USACE’s Role in Regional Security

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  • Building Tomorrow's Solutions: USACE's Commitment to Innovating Force Protection

    In a world where threats to military personnel and operations are ever-evolving, safeguarding lives has never been more critical. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is at the forefront of this mission. Providing engineering, design, and construction support and services within one of the world’s most dynamic operational environments, USACE’s Transatlantic Division is committed to providing the innovative solutions essential for protecting those serving downrange.
  • June

    USACE Expeditionary District welcomes new leadership

    The “Always Forward” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Expeditionary District conducted a combined change of command ceremony welcoming new leadership to the only forward-deployed district serving in the Central Command area of responsibility.
  • USACE Transatlantic Division observes National Safety Month

    June is National Safety Month, and employees here are engaging in a variety of trainings designed to keep them safe on the job.
  • April

    Expertise at the Front: How USACE Experience Powers U.S. Army Success

    In the vast, dynamic landscape of the U.S. Central Command’s Area of Responsibility, the success of the U.S. Army's mission is intricately linked to the infrastructure that supports it. For more than 70 years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has played a crucial role in providing the critical engineering, design, and construction expertise that ensures operational readiness and resilience across the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Levant. The Transatlantic Expeditionary District, as USACE's only forward deployed district in support of contingency operations, continues this legacy by being the sharpest tip of the spear, strengthening partnerships, building capacity, and enhancing security for our nation, allies, and partners.
  • Empowering the Future: USACE Division CSM Visits U.S. Army Engineers in Kuwait

    In a significant event aimed at fostering professional growth among U.S. Army Engineer Regiment Soldiers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division Command Sgt. Maj. Clifton D. Morehouse held an open forum discussion with active duty and reserve component engineer Soldiers deployed to Kuwait. The engagement offered a platform for non-commissioned officers to engage directly with one of USACE’s division level senior enlisted leaders, exploring the pivotal role of engineers in achieving Army objectives and the value of mentorship and professional development within the NCO ranks.
  • Building Resilience and Respect: USACE’s Role in Sustaining Military Capacity at Camp Buehring During Ramadan

    Strategic Infrastructure is crucial for sustaining military capability, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays a vital role in ensuring its effectiveness. As a part of monthly rotational site visit engagements, U.S. Army Col. Mohammed Z. Rahman, USACE Transatlantic Expeditionary District commander, along with a team of district engineers and the district Safety chief, traveled to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, to review two key projects: the Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility and the Udairi Landing Zone Transition Repair projects. These engagements exemplify USACE's commitment to operational excellence and project oversight.