Home / Media / News Stories

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division invests in our planet, plans to use native plants in landscaping

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division
Published April 24, 2023
Updated: April 22, 2023
PRINT | E-MAIL

WINCHESTER, Va. —A project manager assigned to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Middle East District, one of two districts under the Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division’s umbrella, shares how the Army Corps of Engineers is continuing to invest in green initiatives.

One of the things we look at when we begin designing projects is using native plants for landscaping, said Lauren Wougk, a project manager for the Middle East District. We do this to help the environment and support our partner’s initiatives for a greener planet, as well as continue our own commitment, she said.

Using native plants supports biodiversity of local areas. It also, decreases pesticide use, reduces energy consumption and pollution (limited need for mowing) and native plants are less likely to be invasive or overly competitive with other native plants, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

This is only one of many initiatives the organization has undertaken to support sustainability.

“The environment is very important to me,” said Wougk. “I like to celebrate Earth Day. Working here was a great fit for me, as a younger person I wanted to find a job that was connected to the environment and connected to helping the planet.”

Wougk is a project manager and a former Summer Hire and Army Fellow currently working in Winchester, Virginia on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Transformation Program. She recently completed a trip overseas to assist with recruitment efforts where she gained a deeper understanding of the District’s support to the U.S. Central Command’s region.


TAM
Transatlantic Division
Transatlantic Middle East District
enviromental
Earth Day 2023

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.

  • February

    (U.S. Army photo by Catherine Carroll, USACE Transatlantic Division public affairs.)

    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.
  • (U.S. Army photo by Catherine Carroll, USACE Transatlantic Division public affairs.)

    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.
  • (U.S. Army photo by Catherine Carroll, USACE Transatlantic Division public affairs.)

    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.
  • U.S. Army Lt. Col. Eder C. Ramirez, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Expeditionary District commander, holds the district's new challenge coin before presenting it to selected individuals recognized for excellence at a townhall during District Governance Week in Kuwait, on January 14, 2025.

    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.
  • Tanner Cowan, newly licensed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Expeditionary District professional engineer, preparing to travel to a project location in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.

    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

    Col. Klein and Col. Haupt on either side of a sign saying HIVE

    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.
  • U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Clifton D. Morehouse passes the colors to Col. Craig S. Baumgartner, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Transatlantic Division commander, as he relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Arroyo during a Change of Responsibility ceremony in Winchester, Va., Nov. 7.

    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

    A debris crew works to remove debris from the last multi-unit residential property, The Spinnaker condominiums, in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' debris removal program, August 26, 2024. The completion of all residential debris removal in Lahaina is expected in the coming weeks, just over a year after the August 2023 wildfires destroyed more than 2,200 structures. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Susan Lee)

    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.
  • Three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers standing on a project site in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

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

    When it comes to delivering engineering, design, and construction support and services in one of the world's most dynamic operational environments, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division stands as a model of excellence, adaptability, and commitment. Known as USACE’s tip of the spear, the Transatlantic Division excels in providing agile, responsive, and innovative design, construction, engineering, and contingency solutions. Supporting U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and other regional partners, the division plays a key role in sustaining and advancing enduring U.S. interests.
  • U.S. Army Col. Christina L. Burton, the U.S. Army Central engineer director, views the results of the Assessments and Solutions for Survivability from Emerging Threats live-fire demonstration at a U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center test range at Fort Johnson, La., Sept. 18.

    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.