ngineeringngineering EE ININ EE UU RR OO PP EE Army Family Housing Building to fit the needs of the future face of the Army

In defense of freedom District engineer awarded Purple Heart equivalent Summer 2006 1 Notable news Semonite takes command of North Atlantic Division

Story by Lou Fioto, North Atlantic Division

NEW YORK – Brig. Gen. Todd T. Semonite assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-North Atlantic Division from Maj. Gen. William T. Grisoli during a formal change of command ceremony Sept. 18 at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, N.Y. Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, the Army’s Chief of Engineers, officiated the ceremony. The change of command is a military tradition dating back to Roman times. The ceremony emphasizes the continuity of leadership and unit identity, despite changes in individual leadership. It also symbolizes the transfer of command responsibility from one officer to another. Prior to the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Semonite, a native of Bellows Falls, Vt., was the commanding general of the Maneuver Support Center at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Maj. Gen. Grisoli moved on to become the Army’s Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation, G-8, at the Pentagon. ”I’m looking forward to the challenge of commanding the North Atlantic Division,” Semonite said. “It is one of the Corps’ elite divisions in one of the most unique and visible regions in the world. It’s going to be an exciting tour.” As division commander, Semonite, a registered professional engineer in Virginia and Vermont, oversees Corps of Engineers’ work in the continental United States and overseas. Stateside, he oversees the planning, design and construction of projects to support the military, protect America’s water resources, and restore and enhance the environment within a 180,000 square-mile area along the Atlantic Coast, including 13 states from Maine to Virginia and the District of Columbia. The division also supports numerous federal, state, and local governments and agencies. Overseas, the division supports the European command and is responsible for engineering and construction activities for many countries and international customers. The North Atlantic Division, which has district offices in Concord, Mass.; New York, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Baltimore Md.; Norfolk, Va.; and Wiesbaden, Germany, is one of eight permanent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regional Business Centers. ”I’m proud to be joining the great North Atlantic Division team,” Semonite said. “It has an outstanding reputation of performance and achievement that sets the bar high.” During his career, Semonite has served as Assistant Commandant, U.S. Army Engineer School and Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., and in a wide variety of command and staff positions including: Director, Office of the Chief of Engineers, HQDA at the Pentagon; Deputy Commander, Task Force Restore Iraqi Electricity (responsible for designing and executing a $1.1 billion reconstruction program); and Executive Officer to the Commanding General, USAREUR and 7th Army. Brig. Gen. Semonite graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 1979. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont, and a Masters of Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

2 Engineering in Europe Engineering in Europe C o n t e n t s

4 X In defense of freedom District engineer awarded Purple Heart equivalent

8 X Sharing knowledge Professional development Engineering in Europe is an unofficial publication of the U.S. prepares fellow engineers Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, authorized under the provisions of AR 360-1. The editorial views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the Department of the X Army. Engineering in Europe is a 11 NAU’s largest contract OK’d command information publication of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USAREUR Support Contract Europe District. Circulation is 800 copies. Articles, photographs, opens many doors for the Corps and other contributions are welcome. The editor reserves the right to make changes to all material submitted. The submission deadline is the 1st of the month preceding quarterly publication. X Send submissions to: Editor, 12 Air Force transformation Engineering in Europe, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District’s projects at Incirlik Air Base District, CMR 410, Box 1, APO AE 09096. Details may be obtained help USAFE forces transform from the PAO at (011) 49-611-816- 2847 or DSN 336-2847. Material may be sent via e-mail to: [email protected] An electronic version of Engineering in Europe may be X viewed on the Europe District 16 Army family housing Internet homepage at: www.nau.usace.army.mil Building to fit the needs of

Commander: the future face of the Army Col. Margaret W. Burcham

Deputy Commander: Maj.(P) Michael J. Farrell

Public Affairs Chief: X Brian H. Temple 18 Supporting other nations

Layout/Design/Editor: Facilitating threat reduction Justin Ward in Russia and Georgia

On the Cover Ian Hogan wears Lt. Col. Mike Summers’ hard hat at the ribbon- cutting ceremony for the new Child Development Center at the Wiesbaden Army Air Field. Ian is the son of Staff Sgt. Jerry Wright, with the 66th Military Intelligence Battalion in Darmstadt and Air Force Staff Sgt. Adele Wright, with the 485th Intelligence Squadron at the Mainz Kastel Storage Station.

Cover photo by Justin Ward Summer 2006 3 SUPPORTING THE GWOT

Story by Justin Ward

“I didn’t feel the pain. I just felt the impact. Like I kicked a rock. I thought, ‘Something must have happened down there.’ ” - Pete Corona, Italy Resident Office

Pete Corona, s a boy growing up in District construction Mexico City, Pedro representative, Italy Corona played a lot of Resident Office, soccer. It was always stands aboard a easy to find friends and convoy heading startA a pick-up game, and it helped him back to Camp develop a friendly, open personality. Anaconda Iraq in Years later, when Pedro came to the March 2004, only a United States to attend college in day after being hit Portland, Ore., his friendly personality in the foot with helped him transition well. He made shrapnel. friends, found work, met his wife. Eventually, Pedro, now Pete, enlisted in the Air Force and served proudly for 21 years, supporting Operation The front of the Defense of Freedom Desert Storm and other medal shows a bald eagle holding a dangerous operations shield. “On Behalf of a Grateful Nation” along the way. He joined is inscribed on the back, with space the Air Force because he below for the recipient’s name. The wanted to give back to a ribbon’s red stripes commemorate valor country that had offered and sacrifice. The wide blue stripe him so much, to a represents strength. The white stripes country he now calls symbolize liberty. home. On August 18, Corona, 53, humbly serving the country he adopted as home, accepted the Defense of as a member of a U.S. Army Corps of Freedom Medal for Engineers’ Forward Engineering Support suffering shrapnel Team. wounds to his foot Southern European Task Force during a mêlée in Iraq in Commander Maj. Gen. Frank G. Helmick spring 2004. However, he presented the award to Corona saying, wasn’t in Iraq as a “You know what Winston Churchill said warfighter. He was there about people like Pedro, ‘You make a

Photo by Christina Bohrmann as a volunteer civilian, living by getting; such as getting money,

4 Engineering in Europe Photo by Christina Bohrmann

Pete Corona and then-Capt. Thomas Asbery arrive at a damaged bridge on the highway between Baghdad and Balad. Their task was to assess the usability of the bridge using reach back technology. cars, a big house, but you make a life by giving, and and give the information back.” this man … gives.’ ” Corona was deployed with then-Capt. Thomas The medal is the civilian equivalent of the Purple Asbery, a District project manager, and Christina Heart, and was inaugurated on Sept. 27, 2001, after Bohrmann, a former District employee. Asbery, the the Pentagon attack. The medal is a formal means to team leader, had just finished a teleconference about recognize civilians injured while supporting a the bridge with engineers in the States and Corona mission. Corona is only the fifth Corps of Engineers and Bohrmann were taking a break from the civilian to receive it. scorching sun. “The real heroes do not come home, and I did,” Corona stood in the shade of a utility trailer Corona said. “I like the recognition this country about 100 yards from the bridge. gives to its people, especially the ones that, while It was a stifling afternoon near Baghdad that day. knowing of the dangers, are willing to serve. Some Corona was talking to his wife on a satellite phone, come back with worse injuries than others. I can reassuring her that he was fine. “I told her we’re all walk, and the pain I sometimes feel is just a safe,” he said. remainder of how blessed I am. But, I will do it While cooling, Corona finished his phone again!” conversation and sighed a relaxing sigh. He was safe. The mission was over. He could now go back to base The Incident camp. It was Corona’s second time volunteering for a Asbery walked up to him and simply encouraged six-month tour in Iraq, providing engineering him to relax and cool down. “Just take your time,” support to the shambled country badly in need of Corona recounted Asbery saying. “If you get too hot, infrastructure expertise. “We knew the risks,” he you can go home,” to which he said he replied “yeah, said of the trip. But he also knew he was needed. yeah, yeah. I’m fine.” Corona was stationed out of Camp Anaconda, Less than a minute later, the violent scream of near Balad, on the Tigris not too far north of two enemy mortars tore through the sky. Baghdad. His orders were to assess the usability of a Corona took immediate cover, diving underneath bridge the Marines were tasked to protect. the utility trailer, the closest safeguard he could find. “[The Marines] knew what they were doing,” he He said his foot felt like it hit the ground a second said. “They knew the bridge was blown and needed before it should have. “ ‘Maybe it was just a rock,’ I repair. So, we all three came to evaluate the bridge thought.”

Summer 2006 5 SUPPORTING THE GWOT

He looked down to see blood coming through the grommets of his boot, reddening the fabric. “I didn’t feel the pain. I just felt the impact. Like I kicked a rock. I thought, ‘Something must have happened down there.’ ” Immediately after the explosion, Asbery called out to see if Corona was all right. “I think I may have been hit,” Corona yelled, analyzing the situation and determining if he was, in fact, hit. The blood was what scared him the most, he said. The Navy medics attached to the Marine unit arrived quickly, Corona said, checking to ensure no major arteries were hit and moving him via stretcher to a nearby bridge, where he stayed for the night. “They treated it as a routine,” he said. “I just laid down on the ground with my feet up.” Corona still reflects on the incident. “I’m just glad the captain wasn’t there,” Corona said of Asbery, who had been standing exactly where the rounds hit. “They would have hit him if he’d kept Photo by Christina Bohrmann talking to me.” Corona was the only one hit during the mission. District employees then-Capt. Thomas Asbery and While being X-rayed at Camp Anaconda, Corona Pete Corona assess the damage to a bridge near recalled that he asked the examining doctor if he was Balad while deployed to Iraq as part of a Forward going to take the shrapnel out. “They said no; ‘it’ll do Engineering Support Team augmentee group. more damage if we take it out.’ “ Unsatisfied, Corona took advantage of a quiet moment later that day and, in the refuge of his room, caused by war – not only on him, but on those with “took a magnet out and, bloop, a couple pieces came whom he served. out.” He has a new respect for Marines, he said, who Today, several pieces remain lodged deep in his conducted their mission nobly, despite the repeated foot. Although they only cause him occasional pain, assaults on their safety and on their good deeds they continually remind him of the traumatic distress helping rebuild the country.

Pete Corona rests after being treated for an injury suffered during a mortar attack. The attack happened shortly after Corona and colleagues conducted a usability assessment of a bridge between Balad and Baghdad the Marines Photo by Christina Bohrmann were tasked to protect. 6 Engineering in Europe Photo by Christina Bohrmann

From left, District employees Christina Bohrmann, Pete Corona, and then-Capt. Thomas Asbery evaluate damage to a nearby bridge in March 2004 while deployed to Camp Anaconda for six months.

He admitted that he He said appreciates the award and what his foot it stands for, but acknowledged doesn’t that it kind of bothers him: “I’m bother him walking. I’m OK. And other too much, people are not,” he said, now. mentioning the retribution that “Maybe others who fought bravely for the once in a country deserve. while,” he He teared up while talking said, but about this. “We did what we had not a lot. to do to protect ourselves. That’s The pain it. You live with the threat and he most you accept it.” feels is in Photo by Ivano Trevisanutto Corona said he is proud of his his service both with the Air Force and performance with the Corps of Engineers and on the soccer field. Corona said SETAF Commander Maj. Gen. added that he would go back to the injury has weakened his game Frank Helmick stands with Iraq in an instant, despite the and that he can’t play like he used Defense of Freedom medal dangers – especially with the to. But he quickly wrote off the recipient Pete Corona during the Marines. “I would go anytime notion, saying, “I’m getting old award presentation in Vicenza’s with them.” anyway.” Hall of Heroes Aug. 18. Summer 2006 7 SUPPORTINGCUSTOMER SUPPORT THE WARFIGHTER

Maj. Thomas Asbery explains the District’s approach to project management to engineering officers from the 1st Armored Division’s Engineer Brigade in mid-June as a part of the latest Officer Professional Development event.

SharingSharing KnowledgeKnowledge -- PPartart ofof thethe One-Army-familyOne-Army-family mindsetmindset

The combat engineer for one jam-packed June Officer Professional and Corps engineer wear day during the recent the same uniform, share Officer Professional Development events help the same ranks, and Development program. might even have the The OPD was held to same education. Often show the opportunities, 1st Armored Division times they perform expectations, and similar duties with experiences that are engineering similar missions and available for officers wield similar tools. who serve in the U.S. But rarely do they Army Corps of officers prepare work together. Their Engineers. stovepiped career paths “A lot of them don’t for the realities run like railroad tracks, have a lot of experience parallel but never with the Corps,” Stoll connecting. said of the 1st Armored of serving a nation at war Maj. Kevin Stoll, Division’s Engineering project engineer, Brigade officers who Stuttgart Resident Office, attended. “This is Story by Justin Ward changed that a little by something that they Photos by Brian H. Temple fusing the career paths were missing,” as part of

8 Engineering in Europe their overall branch education. theater Stoll, helped by Maj. Thomas engineering Asbery, a former USAFE program solutions to manager for the District, shared the knowledge of the Corps’ resources commander or and also took time to discuss can help with capabilities that will help these other, non- officers adapt to the continuous warfare challenges of serving a nation at situations war. Afterward, they led the cadre such as terror to a recent family housing attacks, renovation project to show them a natural classic example of the Corps’ work. disasters, and Maj. Keith Dupont looks over the design and The most valuable lesson from other crises. the combat engineers’ perspective, Maj. schedule for the renovation of the Aukamm Family however, was the explanation of Andrew Park, Housing community during the Officer Professional the technological capabilities the the District’s Development event June 15. Corps possessed – specifically, new deputy Field Force Engineering (FFE). area commander for the Israel understanding reach back and Fundamentally, FFE is the Area Office, has first-hand FFE is integral to engineering deployment of real-time voice, knowledge of FFE. success. “When [the engineering video, and data uplink technology Park, a former engineer battle officers] sitting in the division to leverage a forward-deployed captain for V Corps, served two level … [are] asked for some element’s capabilities to support tours in Iraq and said he knows capability,” he said, “it will the commander. Its intent is to well the tactical side of trigger something in their minds reach back to leverage the Corps’ engineering – building schools, to say, ‘woh, wait a minute, we technical expertise in engineering conducting bridge have that capability in the Corps solutions, but it can also come reconnaissance, ensuring force of Engineers. Let me reach back.’ “ augmented with forward- protection. Those capabilities help bridge deployed engineering support Park said he saw FFE as well as the gap between combat teams, or FESTs. These the reach-back capability in engineering units and Corps teams provide action while deployed. “A lot of engineers and give the direct, in- the divisions used reach-back warfighting commander a capabilities, especially when powerful asset to accomplish her trying to verify the damage mission. structure of a bridge to see “Sometimes being in the whether or not it was safe,” combat side of our job, you don’t he said. “It’s perfect. They know all the reach-back say, ‘hey, I have this capabilities that we have,” Dupont bridge, this issue, said. “By bringing our officers in tell me what I today, we gave them the need to do to fix opportunities to see what’s there.” it.’ And they Park agreed, saying he was do.” fortunate to have seen what Maj. Keith capabilities are possible through Dupont, the 1st using FFE. Armored Although Park didn’t attend Division’s this particular OPD, he said his Engineering desire to expand his horizons Brigade’s through the Corps came from his operations experience working side-by-side officer, said with FEST augmentees in Iraq at

Maj. Kevin Stoll escorts fellow engineer officers through a recently completed housing renovation to show them a classic example of a Corps of Engineers MILCON project.

Summer 2006 9 SUPPORTING THE WARFIGHTER

Wiesbaden Area Office engineers Fritz Ligday and George Van Cook explain a recent renovation project to engineers of the 1st Armored Division during the Officer Professional Development event June 15.

the Coalition Provisional the Army team shares knowledge. Stoll said OPDs can also be Authority. “I’ve got a lot of It is a manifestation of the one- used as recruiting tools. “It’s not experience in combat units,” he Army-family way of thinking and just an informational pitch, it’s to said. “A lot. … But I wanted to try helps promote the Army’s joint try and recruit some quality folks something different.” and expeditionary mindset, Stoll and get them working for our OPDs are one example of how said. team,” he added. OPDs place great emphasis on knowledge sharing to help ensure the Army is constantly modernizing, adapting, and bridging previously stovepiped mindsets – even while engaged. Dupont said the knowledge he and fellow officers received from the OPD made it well worth their time. “Any time we’re given the chance to sit down with our brother engineers,” he said, “it gives us a chance to help facilitate ideas. This will allow us, as an organization [and] as the engineer corps as a whole, to provide the warfighter what they need.”

Col. James Shumway, 1st Armored Division’s Engineer Brigade commander, gives Maj. Kevin Stoll a coin as a token of his appreciation.

10 Engineering in Europe CONTRACT SUPPORT USAREURUSAREUR SupportSupport ContractContract OK’dOK’d

It’s official. After more than a year of anticipation, the stop-work order was lifted on a logistics services contract to support the operational readiness of U.S. forces deployed in the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) area of opera- tions. But what does that mean for Europe District?

Story by Justin Ward

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Transatlantic USAREUR Support Contract as either fixed price or Programs Center (TAC), in Winchester, Va., announced cost reimbursement, said Guenther. on July 26 that the USAREUR Support Contract was Because of this, the District will learn to use a new awarded to Kellogg Brown & Root Services, Inc., performance-based services method that includes (KBRS) of Arlington, Va. both fixed-price and cost-reimbursement line items, Under the indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity Guenther said. “Our team members will have to contract, which replaces the Balkans Support Contract ensure that the costs associated with fixed-price line (BSC) awarded in 1999, KBRS can support, as directed, items and cost-reimbursement line items are kept military contingency operations and training separate. In the end, the experience we’ll gain will help exercises within the 94 countries that comprise us increase our overall contracting capability.” USAREUR’s area of responsibility, including But there’s going to be a learning curve at first, said continuing operations in the Balkans. Mike Annand, Installation Support Branch chief. “It’s a Operating the contract will be a team effort, with different type of contract. So there’s going to be a lot of USAREUR determining when to use it, TAC functions communication to ensure a clear understanding of as the contracting organization, and the District contract requirements. … There’s certainly going to be providing contract administration services in the an adjustment period.” Balkans. Other areas will be determined as they occur. The contract was originally awarded June 21, 2005, “We issue the notices to proceed for one-time but performance was deferred pending the outcome of efforts,” said Chief Warrant Officer Klaus Guenther, a protest of the award by one of the unsuccessful District Installation Support Branch lead. “So the offerors. The Government Accountability Office money that gets put against the contract for one-time sustained the protest and recommended the efforts is directed by the District.” government take corrective action, which included In total, the contract has a maximum value of $1.25 reevaluation of proposals, but not terminate the billion over five years. Its first year of life will officially contract unless warranted by a new source selection begin after a two-month transition period with the decision resulting from the government’s reevaluation. Balkans Support Contract. Afterward, it can be The decision held that KBRS offered the most renewed through using four additional option periods. advantageous proposal overall for providing logistics Most important, though, is the contract’s flexibility. services to the Army in the USAREUR area of “The contract provides an option for meeting the operations. Army’s logistics and support needs anywhere in the According to the Halliburton Web site, KBRS’s region,” said Guenther. “And it’s a structured contract parent company, Kellogg Brown & Root, is a global that’s convenient for the government to pick and engineering, construction, technology and services choose services from.” company that has performed work in support of the Unlike the BSC, services may be ordered under the U.S. military for more than 60 years.

Spring 2006 11 DoD SUPPORT Transforming the Air Force From what people have been reading in the news, many may think military transformation affects only the Army. And, who can blame them, considering the synchronized waltz of base realignment in West- ern Europe and “lily pad” formation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia?

But the Air Force is also dancing a transformation jig of sorts, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, is helping them get the moves right.

Story by Justin Ward

The Air Force is shifting its warfighting In all, it was much different than flying fighter capabilities to meet the demands of a changing jets. security environment. “It’s more of an addition of mission,” said Air One of the most noticeable displays of Air Force Force Lt. Col. Scott Warner, 39th Civil Engineer transformation in the European Command is taking Squadron commander at Incirlik. “We still have the place on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, where the U.S. Air capability to do that,” Warner said of operating the Force-Europe once had one of the most impressive fighter mission, “but that mission has taken a fighter wings in Europe. backseat to the day-to-day logistics operation.” At one point, there were as many as 140 The additional mission has dramatically altered American F-16s stationed there helping enforce the the use of the existing facilities and has made for no-fly zone in Iraq during Operation Northern burgeoning business for Europe District, which has Watch. been tasked with a lot of the engineering, design, and 2003 changed all that. construction projects there. The base, located about 7.5 miles east of Adana, The District currently has two projects directly the fourth largest city in Turkey, started to shift to aiding the logistics mission. The first is an airlift and logistics missions in support of operations improvement to the airfield’s “Apron A” area, a Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. parking, taxiing, and maintaining zone adjacent to Essentially, refueling and cargo sustainment the U.S. side of the flightline that, until recently, was operations for expeditionary forces moved in while partially constructed with asphalt sections. operations in support of Northern Watch moved out. Larger military and civilian aircraft had

Three F-16CJ Fighting Falcons from the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi at Incirlik Air Base for the last time in 2003. The fighters were returning home to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., after supporting Operation Northern Watch for several years. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Thompson

12 Engineering in Europe As part of the new logistics mission, Staff Sgt. Nolan Jones pushes pallets off a C-17 Globemaster III at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Jones is assigned to the 728th Air Mobility Squadron’s aircraft services team. Photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Thompson

Summer 2006 13 DoD SUPPORT

difficulty taxiing through this area, said Warner, with concrete. When finished, the zone is slated to because the hot Mediterranean sun would heat the shoulder up to six heavy aircraft. “This will asphalt so much that the planes could literally sink definitely expand our ability to handle and park the in. The smaller heavies,” fighter jets could Warner said. nimbly The “Apron maneuver A” project is around, he said, critical to but when larger accomplishing aircraft, known the Air Force’s as “heavies,” logistics started using the mission, said area, taxiing and the District’s parking became deputy a serious resident problem. engineer at “Parking is at Incirlik, Army a premium here,” Capt. Tyler said Warner, Faulk. “This with heavies project testifies such as C-17s, Photo by John Rice to the 747s, L-1011s, The U.S. Engineering Group (TUSEG) team discusses with a local significance the and refueling contractor the various phases of the Eagle Housing project in an Air Force has planes all vying air-conditioned building by the Eagle Housing site. put on logistics for spots. Space is in recent years critical on this and is a telltale apron, Warner said, because here the aircraft can be sign of transformation.” both parked and maintained, which is important for The District’s second project aiding the logistics quick turnaround. mission is the construction of a new flight line pallet A straightforward undertaking, the project yard. While the project is under construction, a grassy includes digging out the asphalt and filling in the holes field on the northern side of the installation has been

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker International Airport, Ohio, touches down on the flightline at Incirlik Air Base. Flights like these providing air-refueling support for opera- tions Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom have become more common since 2003. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Vince Parker

14 Engineering in Europe covered with hard matting for use better as a temporary pallet storage site, organization Warner said. and In fact, since the logistics hub storage.” mission started, the Air Force had Although to use whatever space was these available for storage, “including changes are using some of our hangars … out making life in front of the hangars, easier for everywhere they could find to the logistics offload pallets,” said Warner. staff, the This ad hoc method allowed District is only for the stacking of about 300 also helping pallets. give the Photo by John Rice Once the new pallet storage Airmen on yard is complete, it will not only the Okan Nalbant, Incirlik office engineer, looks over the create one consolidated cargo installation ongoing demolition at the Eagle Housing site before yard for the storage of 500 pallets, a better a project review meeting. but will also reposition the fence quality of line enough to seat U.S. forces, life by who will conduct the pallet replacing the homes located in the project, dubbed a whole transfer mission. current Eagle Housing area. neighborhood revitalization Extra storage is a necessity for “Incirlik is in a unique position project, will also redesign and the Air Force because of the in that force protection rebuild the roads, sidewalks, complicated logistics involved in considerations dictate that all of playgrounds, and other recreation transportation, said Warner, as our folks live on base,” said areas. many flights arrive bearing Warner. “But the housing on this The last phase of the project is supplies for multiple locations. installation is old. It’s been old.” currently scheduled to be finished These supplies would then have The $15 million Eagle Housing by mid-2008. to be separated, stored, and project will see the demolition of “Incirlik is definitely seeing the marshaled until a flight to the 150 smaller, substandard homes effects of the transformation,” said correct location is ready to leave. and the construction of 100 four- Faulk. “The projects that we’re “Because tail-to-tail swaps are bedroom homes. doing here not only improve the pretty uncommon, considerable “The need is not for more Air Force’s operational and storage area for these hundreds of houses, but for bigger and more logistical posture, but they also pallets is a necessity,” said Faulk. modern houses, to suit the current increase the quality of life for the “This new yard will work much and future needs of the forces service members and their better for them because it’s closer located here,” Faulk said. families – and we’re more than to the flightline and allows for In addition to new houses, the happy to provide that support.”

Photo by John Rice Capt. Tyler Faulk, Incirlik deputy resident engineer, briefs Col. Jeffrey Hansen, commander of the 39th Mission Support Group at Incirlik Air Base, on the status of the $15 million Eagle Housing project. Summer 2006 15 SUPPORTING FAMILIES Modernizing Army Family Housing

Story by Justin Ward

en years ago, the eliminate all inadequate family Wiesbaden and Ansbach areas. Department of Defense housing in Europe, said Dorothy In Wiesbaden, four townhouse said enough is Richards, District housing projects are on the drawing enough. program manager. board, with two planned to be AboutT two-thirds of all According to the Army constructed at the Wiesbaden military housing was deemed Housing Web site, this Army Air Field and two planned substandard, and leadership undertaking, in total, “is the in the Aukamm neighborhood. estimated it would take 30 years largest transformation of its kind These projects, expected to be for traditional military in the history of the United States awarded by March 2009, will construction practices to yield a Army.” offer modern floor plans and suitable outcome. Many of the buildings facing amenities, and will provide a The eventual solution was the renovation are from the 1950s, higher quality of life for Soldiers Secretary of Defense’s mandate to postwar relics that suited the and their families, said Richards. have all services submit by July needs of the Soldiers at that time. Another change is 2000 Family Housing Master Today, the typical Soldier is older, modernization through Plans. better educated, and renovation, The Army’s plan was to more than likely a including a project increase the housing allowance parent. at the Wiesbaden for Soldiers, use privatization Because the face of Army Air Field, two methods, and, most prominently, the Army has changed, projects in the eliminate all inadequate family so must the nearby Aukamm housing. In Europe, that last accommodations. neighborhood and a challenge fell to the Corps of One change is the Whole Engineers, Europe District. construction of new Neighborhood Because of the difficulty in townhouses. Revitalization securing decisions on overseas “When IMA-E saw (WNR) project in basing, the Army has extended the Air Force was Hainerberg. the deadline in Europe, giving the building townhouses Hainerberg’s Army’s Installation Management in the Ramstein area, WNR project, also to Agency – Europe (IMA-E), more they wanted to have be awarded in 2009, time to fully develop its plans. some built for the will take a more Through discussions with Army as well,” said holistic look at IMA-E, Europe District is bringing Richards. And after a updating the entire these plans to life – awarding, study of the potential neighborhood, designing, renovating, and neighborhoods, IMA-E Richards said, constructing projects that seek to considered both the requiring a

16 Engineering in Europe rethinking of layout, space requirements, and future setting up community support needs. Specifically, many of the buildings currently facilities – like a PX, on the site will be modernized to comply with commissary, school, current Army Family Housing standard design child development guidance. In addition, the sidewalks, storm drains, center, and playgrounds, and parking areas will all be recreational modernized as well. facility – that All these projects in Wiesbaden amount to a make every significant chunk of the housing projects in Europe. Army In fact, according to a March 2006 congressional community statement on military quality of life, almost 40 home. percent of all non-line-item Army Family Housing In July, a master planning charrette was held to projects in Germany are taking place in Wiesbaden. propose locations of the facilities and roads on these Outside of Wiesbaden, one of Europe’s largest green acres. Army Family Housing projects is being planned in Phase I of the Urlas project is scoped to provide Urlas, an Army community in Ansbach, Germany, 132 townhouses with six senior officer single-family located in Western Bavaria. detached units, said Michael Hogg, District project For about one hundred years, the forested green manager. Phases II and III, if commenced, are hills of Urlas have been a military training site – first estimated to call for a much bigger end state. to the German Wehrmacht and then to the U.S. Army. Once phases II and III are built, there will be a Over time, the vacant land was built up with total of 530 homes, said Hogg. “And when you add to bunkers, training facilities, and electrical substations that a shopping center, theater, chapel, and a host of to support military missions, said Philip Cohen, other community facilities, we’re really planning for strategic planner for the District’s Installation an entire new town. There will be plenty of green Support Planning Branch. space, walking and biking paths and other amenities Today, however, plans are in the works to that make it pleasant and livable.” transform the site. All these housing projects have been carefully According to the Army’s 2005 stationing plan, monitored and championed by the watchful eye of which selected locations for the modular Brigade the Pentagon; but an even closer source of Combat Teams based on existing and potential campaigning exists at Patch Barracks, in Stuttgart, capacities, available training space, and current Germany, home to Marine Gen. James Jones, locations of supporting units, Urlas is the final commander, U.S. European Command and the staging location for the 12th Combat Aviation Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. Brigade. In July 2005, Patch Barracks saw the completion The 12th CAB, as they’re called, is U.S. Army of a $17.5 million WNR project, which housed 110 Europe’s first modular aviation unit, merging military families. Soldiers from five units around Germany. Housing “The well-being of our military families is linked the 12th CAB would not only mean building to readiness, retention, reinforcement of our core completely new housing units on the vacant Urlas values, and mission accomplishment,” Jones said. grounds, but would also mean “These families are an absolutely integral part running utilities there, of our team.” constructing drainage Continuing to provide adequate housing infrastructure, for Soldiers and their families is critical building parking to ensuring combat readiness and lots, and quality of life, said Jones. “The challenge before us now is to … resource and execute this transformation.”

Summer 2006 17 SUPPORTING OTHERS

NAU aids U.S. Energy, State de

stablished in 1949, the Seversk nuclear their ends of the deal. Stories by J complex located in western Siberia “Because of the magnitude of the agreement, the promised abundant and cheap energy. contract had to be written very precisely and with many Its two massive reactors would also milestones such as cost and schedule deadlines,” said Bill provide the emerging Soviet superpower a Thievon, Europe District contract administrator. Erich supply of plutonium, which would eventually be “As such, our independent review in Moscow helped used to fuel the nuclear bombs that safeguarded the both the U.S. and the Russian sides determine the country against the budding American arsenal. contract’s progress and performance.” Today, after many agreements between the two Thievon and five other USACE employees were called superpowers were effected, these plants – along with to Moscow last February to help evaluate the EWGPP another plutonium producing unit in nearby contract, currently administered by the U.S.-based Zheleznogorsk – still exist. And they still produce the Washington Group International and Raytheon Technical same plutonium as before. But without arms Services. There, they sought to identify management production, they are deficiencies and ensure regarded as reactor shutdown is proliferation and proceeding concurrently nuclear waste hazards. with the construction and Mothballing these refurbishment of the new reactors is not as easy as plants. it seems, as they provide necessary heat, energy, and In the end, the EWGPP program seeks a Seversk employment for local citizens. However, through the help closure by 2008 and a Zheleznogorsk closure by 2011. But of the Corps of Engineers, a transition plan called the the EWGPP program is just one facet of the District’s Elimination of Weapons Grade Plutonium Production relationship with the DOE, said Wayne Uhl, a District Program (EWGPP) has been engaged. program manager for International Engineering. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National “We basically do whatever the DOE needs us to do,” Nuclear Security Administration signed an agreement said Wayne Uhl, a District program manager for with the Russian Federal Agency for Atomic Energy in International Engineering. In fact, the District is already March 2003 that stated the following exchange: Russia in the process of hiring a full-time employee to work on would permanently shut down these remaining nuclear DOE projects in Russia, Uhl said. reactors if the United States helped construct and replace At this point, however, Thievon and crew are alternative energy plants in these areas, thus halting scheduled to head back to Moscow in February to plutonium production while ensuring the regional heat conduct follow-up assessments and endure the and electricity requirements were safely met. inhospitable cold. The Corps was selected by the DOE as an “I’ll be glad to go back next winter and be a part of independent source to assess the progress of this something so historic, despite the bad weather,” said agreement, ensuring that all parties in the pact hold up Thievon.

January 2000 - The DOE’s March 2003 – U.S. Secretary of April 2004 - The December 2008 - Scheduled completion of the National Nuclear Security Energy and Russian counterpart contracts officially go renovation of a fossil fuel plant at Seversk; Administration is established. sign implementing agreement. into effect. scheduled shut down of the reactors.

2000 2002 2004 2006 20082010 2012

April 2001 - U.S. and Russian officials conclude May 2003 – NNSA awards contracts to February 2007 – December 2011 - Scheduled completion of the that the remaining three Russian reactors should Washington Group International and Next annual contract construction of a fossil fuel plant at be replaced with fossil-fuel plants. Raytheon Technical Services to help review for the District Zheleznogorsk; scheduled shut down of the shutdown the reactors. (in Moscow). reactor.

18 Engineering in Europe epartments in regional security

Justin Ward he Republic of Georgia’s 2003 bloodless building linkages between U.S. law enforcement coup, the “Rose Revolution,” declared entities and future criminal justice leadership. war against corruption. A new president This new academy “will be built from the ground was elected. New governmental reforms up,” said Uhl. “Not only will it have classrooms … were launched and several policemen but it also will have some billeting [including] Tand high-ranking officials were arrested and tried bedrooms and showers.” Ultimately, it will be able for aiding and abetting organized drug and alcohol to house up to 128 recruits. smuggling circuits. The forensics lab will help with the technical side It was the dawn of a new era for Georgia. of law enforcement, Uhl said. “The Georgian government has made great “It’s a nine-story building and we’re not quite strides in the areas of police reform and forensic going to gut it, but it’ll be pretty close,” said Uhl. investigations,” said Chris Panico, the narcotics “We’re going to remove all the exterior stucco and affairs section chief for the U.S. Embassy in Georgia. replace that. We’ll replace the roof … It’s going to And with the help receive a new heating of the United States and ventilation system. and allying nations, a It’s going to receive new Georgian police electrical distribution. force was formed that New finishes, new doors, now consistently walls, ceilings, paint, ranks high in public floors. Like a total opinion polls as one of the most trusted government renovation.” institutions, Panico said. The work will provide laboratory space for To continue the crime fighting efforts, petroleum testing, ballistics, automated the Department of State’s (DOS) Bureau fingerprint filing, proper evidence for International Narcotics and Law control and storage, and a DNA Enforcement Affairs (INL) program facility, Panico said. has engaged the U.S. Army Corps The expected end state is an of Engineers, Europe District, to effective and sustainable forensics award a contract to help the lab that will help the Georgians Georgian government establish apply modern scientific principles enduring security measures. to criminal investigations and “It’s one contract but two prosecutions. projects,” said Wayne Uhl, a District “The refurbishment will allow the program manager for International Forensic Bureau to finally establish Engineering. One is the construction of a new itself as the primary crime lab in the police academy, and the other is a renovation of a country,” added Panico. building that will house a new forensics laboratory. As time goes on, other countries in the region will Both facilities will be in the capital of Tbilisi. also become better equipped, better trained, and “These two facilities will greatly enhance the better coordinated with one another, noted the DOS’s governments’ ability to meet head on the needs of an INL Web site. emerging democratic society,” Panico said. With better law enforcement facilities in place, The three-story international law enforcement the still-nascent policing forces of this nation will academy will be one of many DOS-funded police one day be steady enough to properly prosecute the academies throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. destabilizing criminal activities in the region. Under U.S. direction, these facilities seek to cooperate Only then can new democracies like this one in combating organized crime, harmonizing claim that their checkered past is truly a part of international law enforcement activities, and history.

Summer 2006 19 O r g a n i z Summer!Summer! Picnics!Picnics! OrganizationalOrganizational Day!Day! Children near the dunk tank get splashed at Europe District’s annual organizational day picnic in July. The dunk tank was a big hit at the event, which included a 5K fun run/walk and a popular gift basket raffle.

20 Engineering in Europe