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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.

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Archive: 2019
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  • September

    “Team Delta” students from Armel Elementary School in Frederick County, Virginia, begin construction of their popsicle stick bridge using only glue guns, their own designs, and 100 popsicle sticks. The kids were participating in STARBASE, a Defense Department program designed to motivate fifth graders to explore educational opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Team Delta’s design set a new record for Winchester’s program, holding 62 pounds before it collapsed.

    From sticks to STEM – USACE and STARBASE work to build the future

    What do you get when you combine 14 glue guns, 700 popsicle sticks, 26 school kids and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers colonel? Two hours of fun, learning and LOTS of laughter!
  • Photo of 8 construction workers in a group shot. One is being given the rabbit ears gesture used in photos.

    USACE Dive Safety Experts Support Overseas Construction Projects

    That ability to reach out and utilize expertise from another district is known as reach back and it’s a resource USACE’s Transatlantic Middle East District (TAM) used when it was in need of dive safety support. While many USACE districts maintain dams, levees and other water related infrastructure with a need for dive safety expertise, TAM’s primary mission is supporting USCENTCOM and allied partners in the Middle East. Recently however, the district found itself working a pier refurbishment project for the U.S. Navy in Bahrain that included the need for safety dive plans and observation support for several dives by the contractor.
  • Now Lt Col David Kaulfers on a project site visit on 11 September, 2001.

    Afghanistan District reflects on 9/11 while currently serving

    Wednesday September 11, 2019 was a solemn day around the country, and even more so for the volunteer civilians and military members of the Afghanistan District, currently deployed in the country.
  • Mr. Jimenez-Vargas reviewing the work on the culvert at Bagram in progress. Vargas is the lead engineer for this project.

    Culvert Operation Underway

    Always ready, always engineering.

  • August

    Transatlantic Division Commander Col. Christopher Beck presents the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Medal to Ronald J. Tomechko for his years of dedicated service to USACE and the American public. The medal was presented during Tomechko’s retirement ceremony on Aug. 29, 2019, at TAD’s headquarters in Winchester, Virginia.

    Long-serving program manager retires from TAD

    After a career that spanned more than 35 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division employee Ronald J. Tomechko, retired from federal civil service during a Town Hall event that took place on Aug. 29, 2019, at TAD’s headquarters in Winchester, Virginia. The event was hosted by TAD Commander Col. Christopher Beck who said that throughout his three-plus decades working for the Corps of Engineers, Tomechko “touched more people, more programs, more dollars, and more careers than anyone can imagine.” Beck said if you look up “quiet professional” you would “find the definition of Ron.”
  • Tambour Eller, currently serving as the project executive on the Mosul Dam Task Force during its final close out, was recently named the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civilian of the Year. Eller received the award for her combined work in three jobs over the course of the awards period.

    USACE Employee Awarded Top Honors for Three Separate Assignments

    Tambour Eller, currently serving as the project executive on the Mosul Dam Task Force during its final close out, was recently named the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civilian of the Year. Eller received the award for her combined work in three jobs over the course of the awards period.
  • Roof framing is underway on the Life Support Area at the Aviation Enhancement Project in Kandahar.

    USACE remains the "Go-To" solution for engineering challenges nationally

    The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to build critical infrastructure for the Afghan nation. As the peace talk’s loom, and the Transatlantic Afghanistan District maintains its course for success, it will continue using economical engineering solutions to build stability in the region, employing local labor, empowering them with the ability to see the fruits of their own labor.
  • David Hardin, USACE TAAC Project Manager and TAAC Local National Lead Engineer discuss ongoing assessment of Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police at the Kabul Project Delivery Platform.

    Improving the quality of life of Security Forces

    Train, Advise, Assist Command partners with USACE Afghanistan District to provide improved quality of life for Soldiers throughout Afghanistan.
  • ​E. Scott Lowdermilk (center), the Transatlantic Division Chief of Plans and Operations, receives the Army Engineer Association's Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal at his retirement ceremony from both the military and civilian service on Aug. 2, 2019, after a career that spanned 38 years. Presenting the award to Lowdermilk are Maj. Gen. Donald Jackson (left) and Maj. Gen. Robert Carlson (right).

    Lowdermilk retires after 38 years of military, civilian service

    Transatlantic Division employee E. Scott Lowdermilk retired from both federal civil service and the U.S. Army Reserves on Aug. 2, 2019, during a dual-retirement ceremony that took place on the campus of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, in front of a crowd of more than 250 of his colleagues, peers and friends. In addition to the event celebrating both a military and civilian retirement, it was unique in that two Army Major Generals hosted the event: Maj. Gen. Donald Jackson, Deputy Inspector General of the United States Army Inspector General Agency, oversaw Lowdermilk's civil service retirement and Maj. Gen. Robert Carlson, Senior Military Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, oversaw the military retirement.

  • July

    Army Reserve Col. Scott Lowdermilk, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division Director of Plans and Operations (left) and TAD Commander Col. Chris Beck (right) present a retirement flag to Army Reserve Col. Todd M. Heuser (center), who retired July 13, 2019, after a 30-year military career, during a ceremony held in Winchester, Virginia.

    Heuser retires from military service; heads to Army War College as a civilian

    Army Reserve Col. Todd M. Heuser was retired July 13, 2019, at the George Washington Hotel in downtown Winchester, Virginia, after a 30-year military career. And, in an unusual twist, he was also “farewelled” from his civilian position as the Transatlantic Division’s Chief of Plans as he departs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to attend the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Usually, military colonels attend the Army’s senior service school while still in uniform; however, it is open to members of the civil service ranks. Heuser will be a part of the Class of 2020, where he will earn a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies following 10-months of rigorous study at the college.