USACE Alaska District

The Alaska District said farewell to Chris Floyd, biologist in the Environment Resources Section, in a retirement ceremony on Oct. 28. During his 34 years of service, Floyd served in multiple roles and provided critical support at USACE projects across Alaska. Thank you, Chris!

The Alaska District is conducting a diesel fuel cleanup effort at the Yakutat AFB Post Powerhouse No. 564 formerly used defense site. Cleanup at this site protects current and future subsistence and recreational users in the area.

Participants in the Alaska District’s USACE Leadership Development Program Level Two, or ULDP 2, course visited the dredging project at the Port of Alaska in October. Annual maintenance dredging at the port keeps vital navigation channels open and accessible to shipping traffic.

Col. Victor Trujillo II, commander of the Alaska District, joined leaders from Fort Wainwright and the 11th Airborne Division to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the Fryar Fieldhouse on Oct. 5. The new structure provides a 70,000-square-foot facility for over 300 users at a time.

The Alaska District’s Hero of the Month for October is Luke Zablotny, deputy chief of the Design Branch. Zablotny demonstrates exceptional leadership, technical expertise and dedication to mission accomplishment in his position at the Alaska District. Great work!

Lt. Gen. William “Butch” Graham, 56th Chief of Engineers and commanding general of @USACEHQ, toured military projects at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on Sep. 29. During the visit, he viewed sites including the JITTC and runway extension construction efforts.

Last month, the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, initiated a glacial lake outburst flood. In the weeks prior to the resulting flood, USACE deployed resources and personnel to help the community prepare for the impending event. Read more here: poa.usace.army.mil/Media/New…

The 62nd Forward Engineer Support Team – Advanced completed a bridge reconnaissance mission on a deployment to Guam in August. The group compiled historical and technical data for ten bridges along Route One in support of @USARPAC and the Missile Defense Agency.

The Alaska District’s Hero of the Month for September is John Sargent, project manager in the Regulatory Division. Great work, John!

Col. Victor Trujillo II, commander of the Alaska District, presented the Third Quarter Awards to members of the workforce in a ceremony at the district headquarters on Sep. 3. See the full list of awardees here: facebook.com/AlaskaCorps/pos…

The Alaska District celebrated the official groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 1A of the Port of Nome Modification Project on Sep. 2. The first phase of the project will construct a 1,200-foot causeway with about 600 feet of dock face.

The Alaska District is preparing to mobilize construction at the Skagway River Levee Rehabilitation project in southeast Alaska. Using Public Law 84-99 rehabilitation assistance funding, USACE will reinforce the original levee with work scheduled to begin in September 2026.

The Alaska District mourns the passing of Hayden Scalis and Sabrina Hansen who were killed in a plane crash near Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Station in Western Alaska on Aug. 20. poa.usace.army.mil/Media/New…

Col. Victor Trujillo, district commander, met with one of the barrier teams and a local resident this morning while in the field. Flood waters are rising and above 13 feet. In some places along the barriers, water is beginning to reach the lower portion. @USACEHQ @USArmy

Today, Brig. Gen. Joseph "Clete" Goetz, commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Pacific Ocean Division, and Mike Records, technical lead for the Alaska District, participated in an update briefing for Sen. Lisa Murkowski today on the GLOF.

Here's a quick snapshot of USACE efforts in response to the 2026 Mendenhall GLOF.

As of 0900 on Aug. 11, 2026, Suicide Basin is full and overtopping the ice dam as seen on the USGS laser data with the current elevation at around 1345ft. The water level in the basin will slowly drop through the overtopping process. @USACEHQ

Today, USACE personnel received refresher training on gabion basket installation and repair in anticipation of the 2026 glacial lake outburst flood event. @USACEHQ

Olivia Jobin, hydraulic engineer and levee safety program manager, discussed the Alaska District’s engineering efforts in Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley at the USACE National Dam and Levee Safety community of practice meeting in Houston on Jul. 29.

The USACE Alaska District announced Friday increased protection for the capital city Juneau for the glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF).