Alaska District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

09/04/2026

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.

Aaron Crabtree and Callie Carmichael both received the Outstanding Engineer/Scientist Award. Jamie Fuller and Mark Hale earned the Outstanding Support Award. Stephanie Gates received the Outstanding Managerial/Supervisory/Team Leader Award, and Aaron Sickels earned the Outstanding Safety Performance Award. Finally, Trujillo presented the Outstanding Team Award to members of the ACC002 Fighter Town Recapitalization Infrastructure team, which is composed of Thareth Casey, Brent Goering, Brittany Boring, Ernie Hetrick, Mindy Fitzgerald, Jason Linn, Theresa Afrank, Dena Ivey and Neil Murray.

Congratulations to all who received an award!

09/03/2026

Col. Victor Trujillo II, commander of the Alaska District, and Mr. Jose Sanchez, engineering and business director at the Pacific Ocean Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 1A of the Port of Nome Modification Project on Sep. 2, 2026. He joined Kenny Hughes, mayor of the City of Nome, Lee Smith, city manager, and Joy Baker, port director, as well as tribal leaders and representatives of Kiewit, the contractor, in celebrating the event at the Port of Nome in northwest Alaska.

USACE awarded the contract for Phase 1A of the project in August 2025. The first phase of the project will construct a 1,200-foot causeway extension with about 600 feet of dock face. The City of Nome is the non-federal sponsor for this project.

“Nome is a key regional hub for western Alaska, underscoring the importance of a safe and efficient port,” said Col. Victor Trujillo II, commander of the Alaska District. “In a changing Arctic, an expanded harbor using the guidelines of “Building Infrastructure, not Paperwork” provides far reaching implications for economic vitality in the region.”

09/01/2026

Congratulations to Tanya Simmons, accountant in the Resource Management Division, on her new command position within the 377th Theater Sustainment Command as a member of the Army Reserve!

08/27/2026

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. Originally constructed in 1940, the key piece of infrastructure was heavily affected by the flood event of 2022, resulting in damage to approximately 6,000 feet of the levee. USACE engineers redesigned the repairs to feature larger riprap to withstand high-velocity flows and increased the scour depth to help prevent future undermining, ensuring the community remains safe and resilient for decades to come. The Alaska District is executing this project to repair and restore the levee to its pre-disaster protection levels to protect human health and public, residential, commercial and historical infrastructure in Skagway.

08/26/2026

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.

Both serving within the district’s Engineering Division, Hansen worked as a fire protection engineer and Scalis as a mechanical engineer. They were on official duty conducting a routine project site visit in support of the U.S. Air Force.

“We mourn the tragic loss of our selfless teammates. They were public servants and true professionals, dedicated to securing our nation,” said Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham, 56th Chief of Engineers and USACE commanding general. “Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues during this time of immeasurable loss.”

“Our district family carries a heavy burden with the loss of our colleagues, Sabrina and Hayden,” said Col. Victor Trujillo II, Alaska District commander. “We will continue to support and mourn alongside their families, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this tragedy.”

Sabrina Hansen and Hayden Scalis, both of Anchorage, were identified as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District employees killed in a plane crash in Western Alaska.

08/15/2026

08/13/2026

⚠️ – Mendenhall Lake Crested, Evacuation Still Advised ⚠️ The National Weather Service has advised that the 2026 glacial lake outburst flood crested at 2:15 p.m. today, August 13. The floodwaters crested at a 14.7 foot lake stage before beginning to recede, however, an evacuation advisory remains in effect until the waters fall below a 12 foot lake stage.

As of 3:10 p.m., the area is still in major flood stage and the risk of a flash flood remains. Residents are advised to remain evacuated and stay away from the river until officials announce the area is clear for residents to return.

⏱️ Posted at 3:10 p.m. on August 13, 2026

08/13/2026

08/13/2026