ERDC researchers contribute to historic honor

Kerry Larsen — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:25:46 GMT

A pair of researchers with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center have been recognized for their significant contributions to the Army’s selection as a 2012 Top 100 Global Innovators Award. Bartley Durst and Toney Cummins with the ERDC Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory were named two of the top 20 inventors in the Army for 2009-2011.

USACE to modernize military port's piers

Todd Plain — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:57:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Since 1942, the Military Ocean Terminal Concord -- or MOTCO -- has been a vital ammunition distribution center in support of the deploying forces during the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf Wars. But this facility in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area has not been able to efficiently carry out its mission for a long time, especially with only one of its three piers being partially operable the last five years.

Setting the stage to prepare cadets for combat

Tesia Williams — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:49:11 GMT

"When our Soldiers are performing combat operations in villages and cities in Iraq and Afghanistan with complicated terrain, such as Baghdad and Fallujah, they're in areas that are familiar to the enemy, but not to them," said Retired First Sergeant, Alec Lazore, range operations officer at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

U.S., Qatar Corps of Engineers discuss partnership, collaborative assistance

Julie Shoemaker — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:43:16 GMT

WINCHESTER, Va.-- The Qatar Emiri Corps of Engineers plans to improve its organization, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in a good position to help. Three years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, Middle East District learned that the Qatar Emiri Corps of Engineers, or QECE, wanted to make improvements, and started discussions on potential support.

Royal Engineers learn from U.S. Army

Brittany Bangert — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:37:23 GMT

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- As most engineers know, obtaining a Professional Engineer license is a daunting and difficult task. From hours of endless studying to maintaining an already demanding workload to ensuring enough time with one's family, passing the P.E. exam seems like a goal always out of one's reach.

Repairs begin on JFK Eternal Flame

Tesia Williams — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:47:02 GMT

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Contractors began work here Monday, April 29, on the burner of the President John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame, which has been lit since 1967. Technicians from Meltech Corp., Inc.; based in Landover, Md.; built an 8-foot temporary fence and installed a temporary flame at one of the most visited sites in Arlington National Cemetery.

Army MATOC: First awards under $7 billion renewable energy contract

Debra Valine — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:34:52 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, working with the Army Energy Initiatives Task Force, awarded the first of its kind Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Multiple Award Task Order Contracts for the first technology under this contract to support renewable energy on Defense Department installations.

Interagency Military Pass waives day-use fees at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation sites nationwide

Doug Garman — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:13:28 GMT

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it will continue to accept the America the Beautiful Federal Recreation Pass Program’s Interagency Annual Pass for Military (Military Pass) at its more than 2,500 USACE-managed recreation areas nationwide.

Safety a top priority in Hurricane Sandy response

Jim Woodey — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:34:26 GMT

What happens behind the scenes is often as important as what happens on the big screen. The safety operations integrated into the Hurricane Sandy response and recovery actions are an example.

Senior scientist joins elite group

Marilyn Phipps — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:15:34 GMT

“For his ability to effectively communicate technical issues to the public, fellow engineers and Members of Congress, his demonstrated leadership in forensic civil engineering; and for his significant contributions to structural assessments following catastrophic events." This citation was read April 22 when the American Association of Engineering Societies presented the Norm Augustine Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Communications to Dr. Paul Mlakar.

New York, New Jersey Harbor deepening project provides environmental, economic benefits

Vincent Elias — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:30:24 GMT

During the past nine years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey have been deepening 38 miles of federal navigation channels in the New York Harbor to a depth of 50 feet. Recently, the New York District awarded the final major construction contract, which will complete the deepening of the Arthur Kill Channel to 50 feet leading to the New York Container Terminal, Staten Island, New York, marking another milestone towards completing the overall 50 foot project.

Army Corps helps support the Army Family through school construction

Tesia Williams — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:14:22 GMT

In 1821 the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York established the first school on a military installation to serve the children of service members. Almost two centuries later, the West Point community and Department of Defense continue to be committed to providing these children an education to take them into the 21st century, even in the current tough fiscal times.

Going Green: Sustainable coastal North Carolina tidal marsh still thriving after 16 years

Hank Heusinkveld — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:10:53 GMT

In 1996 Wilmington District biologists and engineers, with help from other North Carolina resource agencies, designed and constructed a former dredged material disposal island to offset impacts from construction of the Army Reserve Center in Morehead City, and turned it into a thriving coastal tidal marsh. Sixteen years later the marsh is a sustainable ecosystem that has exceeded the Corps' goals and expectations.

Going Green: Wind turbine installed on Fort Buchanan

Debra Valine — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:06:36 GMT

The first of three 275-kilowatt wind turbines to be erected on Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, started producing energy April 19. The turbines are part of a 10-project energy and water reduction effort that, in addition to installing wind power generation, includes solar photovoltaic systems, and water conservation measures.

Going Green: Corps builds largest induction solar wall in the country

Andrea Takash — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:52:11 GMT

HARRISBURG, PA -- As the sun beats down on one of the biggest buildings in the country, solar thermal collectors go to work providing enough heat for a 1.7 million square foot warehouse.

STEM-related flash training provided to teachers

Andrew A Kornacki — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:12:40 GMT

There's an old Chinese proverb, "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." This was the idea behind the Buffalo District's "Flash Training" for the teachers of Mullen Elementary School, Tonawanda, NY, on Thursday April 18, 2013.

Going Green: Army Corps of Engineers urges to call before you fill

Sarah Gross — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:45:50 GMT

With construction season here, it is crucial to highlight the fact that streams and wetlands are essential to flood reduction and water-quality improvement, and you must call before you fill," said Paul Leffler, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District Regulatory Program senior project manager.

Going Green: District powers debris-removal vessel with biofuel

Brandon Beach — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:10:55 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO -- Soybeans are helping power a debris-removal vessel operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District. Mechanics at the district's baseyard in Sausalito, Calif., overhauled the M/V Raccoon in 2011, to allow its engine to run for the first time on a non-petroleum fuel made entirely from soybeans called B99. The results are already being well received on deck.

Going Green: Army Corps unveils new master plan for oyster recovery

Ashley Williams — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:50:20 GMT

Since the turn of the 20th century, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay have declined dramatically, largely due to disease, overharvesting, loss of habitat, and degraded water quality. With the State of Maryland placing increased emphasis on restoring the Chesapeake Bay, oyster restoration remains paramount in improving the Bay's vitality.

Army Corps civilian builds up Wounded Warriors with sled hockey program

By JoAnne Castagna, Ed.D. — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:05:00 GMT

Last year, Mark McKenna, a project engineer with the Fort Drum Field Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District was working out at the gym at Fort Drum in Watertown, N.Y. "I was working out in the gym and a Soldier in a wheelchair came in and then turned around and left the gym."