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

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division
Published Nov. 11, 2024
Two people posing on either side of the school mascot.
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Col. Nikki L. Haupt, Transatlantic Division Deputy Commander, Buzzy D. Hornet, and Col. Christopher D. Klein, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District at Shenandoah University’s Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE). The center will provide the university’s military-affiliated students with comprehensive educational support and opportunities in high-demand technology fields. The officers attended the grand opening of the facility Oct. 27 in Winchester, Virginia. The Middle East District entered into a partnership agreement with the university through a memorandum signed in April, 2024. The agreement will foster cooperation between the two organizations through internships, speaking engagements and other programs. (U.S. Army photo by Joe Macri)

Col. Klein and Col. Haupt on either side of a sign saying HIVE
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Col. Christopher D. Klein commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District and Col. Nikki L. Haupt, Transatlantic Division Deputy Commander, at Shenandoah University’s Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE). The center will provide the university’s military-affiliated students with comprehensive educational support and opportunities in high-demand technology fields. The officers attended the grand opening of the facility Oct. 27 in Winchester, Virginia. The Middle East District entered into a partnership agreement with the university through a memorandum signed in April, 2024. The agreement will foster cooperation between the two organizations through internships, speaking engagements and other programs. (U.S. Army photo by Joe Macri) (U.S. Army photo by Joe Macri)

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WINCHESTER, Va. —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.

The building allows for the expansion of Shenandoah’s Veterans, Military and Families Center, which will provide the university’s military-affiliated students with comprehensive educational support and opportunities in high-demand technology fields.

The Transatlantic Division’s Middle East District hopes to play an active role in fostering community partnerships that support Veterans and their Families. The district entered into a partnership agreement with the university through a memorandum signed in April 2024. The agreement will foster cooperation between the two organizations through internships, speaking engagements and other programs. This partnership reflects the division’s commitment to extending support beyond its own workforce, strengthening connections within the military and civilian communities it serves.

“Attending this opening was amazing,” said Col. Nikki Haupt, Deputy Commander of the USACE Transatlantic Division. “The event was held so close to Veterans Day when we honor all those who have served and many Veterans were in attendance, including myself. The building itself is a tribute to Veterans as it is an old National Guard Armory that has been refurbished.”

The Hazel-Pruitt Armory, where HIVE is located, was formerly the headquarters of the Virginia Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment. The unit was part of the of first wave of the Normandy Beach or D-Day landings 80 years ago.

Many Veterans continue to serve the country and their communities in many capacities. Their time in the military has opened a pathway to a life of service.

“I’ve been fortunate to serve in the Army,” said Haupt. “I believe in the concept of ‘Soldier for Life.’ The Army offers great opportunities before, during and after service.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is home to a significant number of Veterans who bring invaluable experience to both military and civilian roles within the organization.

With a workforce of approximately 37,000—97% of whom are civilians—USACE has a substantial representation of former service members who have chosen to continue their commitment to national service through engineering and support roles. Veterans are an integral part of USACE’s mission, contributing the expertise, discipline, and dedication honed during their military careers to projects worldwide, including the complex environments overseen by the Transatlantic Division.

Veterans Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, the battlefield of Europe fell silent after more than four years of fighting. November 11 was originally proclaimed “Armistice Day” by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. In 1954, Congress renamed the day Veterans Day to honor American Veterans of all wars.

The Transatlantic Division provides engineering solutions for our mission partners’ 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 $6 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.


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

    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.

  • June

    ChatGPT Four U.S. uniformed male soldiers standing in a circle, one passing a long gold flagpole wrapped with a red flag with white fringe wrapped to another soldier.

    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.
  • one person on a ladder speaking to another person.

    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

    Male civilian engineer stands in front of a structure on a runway that is under construction.

    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.
  • U.S. Army command sergeant major speaking to group of Soldiers.

    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.
  • U.S. Army Col. Mohammed Z. Rahman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Expeditionary District commander (center), along with district engineers and the regional safety chief, discuss ongoing progress during a site visit at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Apr. 8, to review the Udairi Landing Zone Transition Repair project, demonstrating USACE’s dedication to maintaining operational excellence and ensuring project success.

    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.