Aug 07 2025

Unveiling of the Army Star Flag

Shannon Hodges

Vanessa Matheny Middle East District Chief of Safety, Amy L. Borman Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Environment, SOH, Colonel Christopher D. Klein Commander, Middle East District and Major General Kimberly M. Colloton Deputy Commanding General, HQUSACE unveil the Army Star flag during the ceremony in Winchester, Va.

Aug 06 2025

Safety Awards

Shannon Moeck

During a safety briefing at a Middle East project site, Project Engineer and safety leader, Ryan Alaman presents a certificate of achievement to a contractor in recognition of outstanding safety performance. From left: USACE safety leaders Josephus Resma, Vanessa Matheny, and Lauren Wougk stand alongside contractors.

Aug 06 2025

On Site Safety Inspection

Shannon Moeck

During a safety inspection at a Middle East District project site, Construction Safety Manager Lauren Wougk identified worn rigging equipment and used the opportunity to lead an impromptu safety brief for USACE safety leaders Nabeel Alsadek, Jai Parkash, and contractors. She emphasized the importance of inspecting synthetic slings prior to lifts. These proactive engagements highlight the Middle East District’s commitment to continuous improvement and real-time safety leadership on the ground.

Aug 06 2025

On Site Safety Inspection

Shannon Hodges

Kevin Raposa, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division Chief of Safety, Vanessa Matheny, USACE Middle East District Chief of Safety and Jimmy Trail, a USACE load handling equipment expert, inspect a project site in the Middle East, reinforcing USACE’s commitment to proactive safety management in complex operational environments.

Aug 06 2025

2024 Chief of Engineers Safety Award of Excellence

Shannon Hodges

Joseph L. Zaraszczak Middle East District, Deputy for Programs and Project Management, Vanessa Matheny Middle East District, Chief of Safety, Major General Kimberly M. Colloton Deputy Commanding General, HQUSACE, and Colonel Christopher D. Klein Commander, Middle East District pose with the 2024 Chief of Engineers Safety Award of Excellence.

Jun 16 2025

2nd Lt. (now Lt. Col.) Donald Lew on patrol during a deployment to Afghanistan.

Joe Macri

2nd Lt. (now Lt. Col.) Donald Lew on patrol during a deployment to Afghanistan.

Jun 16 2025

LTC Lew at STARBASE in Winchester, Va.

Shannon Moeck

Lt. Col. Donald Lew, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District Deputy Commander, talks to 5th graders about engineering while serving as a guest speaker at Winchester STARBASE. STARBASE is a Department of Defense sponsored program aimed at promoting STEM careers to students at a young age.

Jun 16 2025

Lt. Col Lew at Downing Mile obstacle course at Ft. Benning.

Joe Macri

Maj. (now Lt. Col.) Donald Lew running the Downing Mile obstacle course at Fort Benning while assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Jun 03 2025

Dale Hartman receives a 2025 Distinguished in Government Award

Joe Macri

Dale Hartmann, who heads the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District’s Contingency Standard Design Branch and USACE’s Center of Standardization for Nonpermanent Facilities (COS) receives a 2025 Distinguished Service in Government award given by the U.S. Advocacy for Value committee from the Middle East District’s chief of engineering Ted Upson.

Jun 03 2025

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Building Model

Joe Macri

A building model from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Center of Standardization for Nonpermanent Facilities (COS). The COS maintains a library of building designs that can be used for almost any purpose. Because the designs already exist and, in many cases, can be built using locally procured materials it is often significantly cheaper than standard construction. COS designs also incorporate value methodology into them which can result in significant cost savings either during the construction process or during the building’s lifespan.

May 27 2025

Lt. Col. Andes Supports Wildfire Recovery on the Ground

Joe Macri

Lt. Col. Jerry Andes, Acting Chief of the Construction Contracting Branch with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Middle East District, providing on-site support for debris removal services contracts as a Contracting Officer with the USACE, Los Angeles District. He played a crucial role in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s wildfire recovery mission to enable Los Angeles County residents to proceed with private and public rebuilding efforts. Andes said that seeing contracts executed up close and in person isn’t something he normally gets to do as a contracting officer.

May 27 2025

Megan Hoover Reflects on First Deployment with USACE

Joe Macri

Megan Hoover, a design quality manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District, takes a break from her work as a quality assurance manager during her deployment to support wildfire recovery efforts in the Los Angeles Area. Hoover, who was on her first deployment with USACE said that volunteering to help gave her a greater understanding of the Corps of Engineers as a whole and the lasting impact it makes on people’s lives.