Home / Media / News Stories

USACE Transatlantic Division supports Typhoon Mawar disaster relief

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TRANSATLANTIC DIVISION
Published Sept. 21, 2023
Updated: Sept. 21, 2023
reviewing the locations of the Temporary Debris Management Sites on the island of Guam
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 2

Emergency Support Function #3 (public works and engineering) Team Leader Kim Adkins, who is assigned to USACE Transatlantic Division, reviews the locations of the Temporary Debris Management Sites on the island of Guam and the locations of the 41 schools on island which are a priority for right-of-way debris removal with the Deputy Defense Coordination Officer Lt. Col. Bryan Weber June 19, 2023. Weber served as a Plans Officer in the Transatlantic Division G3. He is now with the 9th Mission Support Command, which is headquartered in Hawaii with a forward element in Guam.

PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 2

Aerial video of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors installing FEMA temporary power generators at critical facilities in Guam in the wake of Typhoon Mawar. In partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, USACE installed 93 generators to critical infrastructure around the island.

PRINT | E-MAIL

WINCHESTER, Va. – 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.

Kim Adkins, who serves as the Transatlantic Division’s chief of current operations, acted as the Emergency Support Function (ESF) #3 (public works and engineering) Team Leader-the senior USACE civilian position on island for response operations.

“USACE was tasked with the mission execution for temporary emergency power, temporary roofing, and debris removal,” Adkins explained.

As part of her duties as ESF #3 Team Leader, Adkins had a myriad of responsibilities. They included evaluating missions, scoping missions, ensuring the proper resources were deployed to meet the mission, and providing oversight.

“We were constantly evaluating the needs of those impacted by the storm,” she said. “And, working with FEMA and the Territory of Guam, we were able to make a significant difference to the community.”

During her tenure there Adkins and team were able to oversee several critical response missions. These included the installation of 99 generators at critical public facilities throughout the island of Guam. This ensured critical services (such as hospitals, the Port Authority, and the local judicial center) were maintained while primary power was being restored to the island.

Another mission was the “installation of temporary metal roofs to qualifying residents whose roofs on their primary residences were damaged in the storm. A third mission included the removal, sorting and final disposition of all storm-related debris.

“It’s an absolute honor to be invited into these communities after such a devastating event and assist with restoring their infrastructure,” said Adkins.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a major Army command with a broad set of missions and capabilities. One of its missions is to provide assistance, within its authorities, when natural disasters or other emergencies occur.

The Transatlantic Division provides engineering solutions for our mission partner’s toughest full spectrum challenges in one of the most complex construction environments in the world that includes 21 nations stretching from Northeast Africa across the Middle East to Central and South Asia. The organization has oversight of well over $5 billion in projects throughout the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, as well as dedicated support to the U.S. Special Operations Command.


Disaster Response
Transatlantic Division
Typhoon Mawar
ESF #3

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

    Two U.S. military vehicles await delivery following repairs in a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Expeditionary District constructed Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility, in the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

    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

    Roger Vogler during his U.S. Army service.

    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

    (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.