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Pacific Ocean Division News

  • January

    Sgt. 1st Class Michael T. Hodges, a SkillBridge intern at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Far East District (USACE FED) in the Resource Management Office, poses for a photo at his workstation area while supporting FED’s financial and business operations during his internship on January 9, 2026, at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Hodges said he chose USACE FED because the organization offers a unique opportunity to apply his background in business, logistics and leadership within a mission driven, team oriented environment. (U.S. Army photo by Yohan An)

    SkillBridge Spotlight Series: 10 Questions with Sgt. 1st Class Michael T. Hodges

    USAG HUMPHREYS, South Korea – As part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Far East District’s (FED) continued commitment to supporting transitioning service members, the district proudly hosts SkillBridge interns across a wide range of mission critical functions — including engineering, construction, workforce management, and resource management.
  • Contractor modifies project site for colder weather conditions.

    Behind the Build: A look at a $115 Million Camp Humphreys Project Under Construction

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Far East District’s $115 million, 2-story project at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, will be the future home of aircraft operating.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Far East District (FED) employees visit Sungyook Children’s Home, located in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, to deliver holiday gifts donated by FED employees, Dec. 16, 2025. The employees pose with the home’s managers in front of the building for the fifth consecutive year of FED's community outreach efforts for the facility. (U.S. Army photo by Monique Freemon)

    Far East District brings holiday joy to children at Sungyook Children’s Home for fifth year

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Far East District (FED) brought joy to the community by delivering gifts to 42 children at Sungyook Children’s Home in Pyeongtaek through its annual donation drive, Dec. 16. This year’s initiative marked the fifth consecutive year of holding the event for local children.

  • December

    Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, district commander, presented a certificate of retirement to Randy Bowker, deputy district engineer and director of programs and project management, in a ceremony at the district headquarters on Dec. 16, 2025.

    Randy Bowker retires from Alaska District after 33 years of service

    The Alaska District celebrated the retirement of Randy Bowker, deputy district engineer and director of programs and project management, in a ceremony at the district headquarters on Dec. 16. Brig. Gen. Joseph “Clete” Goetz, commanding general of the Pacific Ocean Division, and Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, district commander, presented multiple awards, including the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal, Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and a certificate of retirement to Bowker at the event. In addition, staff from around the district offered gifts in appreciation of his service to the organization.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Yokota Resident Office team members, Rion Ogawa, an engineering technician (left), and Tatsuya Kokubu, a construction representative, sign a structural beam during a Topping Off ceremony on October 3rd, 2025. The structural beam was the last to be placed in the Yokota Air Base’s currently undergoing construction Corrosion Control Hangar. During the ceremony, special thanks were provided to the intercultural team members involved in the project, and how projects designed and constructed by JED often bring together individuals from a wide range of professional and international backgrounds. Courtesy photo provided by Gilbane Japan.

    Engineers enhance Pacific readiness

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) and Gilbane Japan GK construction agency marked a key milestone with a topping-out ceremony for the C-130J Corrosion Control Hangar (CCH) currently under construction.
  • Bach Nguyen, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Navy, Marine Corps, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and Environmental Branch Chief for the Programs and Project Management Division (PPMD), center at the podium, briefed a ballroom of Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) attendees eager to learn about JED's support for warfighters in the Indo-Pacific region during the SAME Japan Industry Forum at the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo, Dec. 8-10, 2025. Highlights included upcoming projects such as a 100,000-barrel JP-8 fuel storage tank at Yokota Air Base, a corrosion control hangar at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, and a full mission flight simulator facility for the F-35 at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture. Photo by Patrick Ciccarone.

    Advancing Partnerships: USACE JED Spotlights Project Growth at SAME Japan Event

    Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) attended the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Japan Industry Forum at the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo, Dec. 8-10, 2025.
  • Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, former commander of the Pacific Palisades Emergency Field Office, visited debris removal sites in the Pacific Palisades on May 19. Palazzini served in his role as commander for nearly four months, providing critical leadership and engaging with the community in support of the debris removal mission. USACE photo by Melanie Peterson.

    USACE commander reflects on deployment to wildfire debris removal mission in southern California

    Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, commander of the USACE - Alaska District, served as the commander of the Pacific Palisades emergency field office, or EFO, for nearly four months in 2025. In this capacity, he served as a crucial leader and resource for other deployed personnel as they worked tirelessly to clear debris from the community, enabling residents and business owners to safely proceed in their recovery efforts.
  • Col. Ryan Ley, Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Carl T. Vogel, Command Chief, 51st Fighter Wing, drive compact track loaders (CTLs) to clear the ribbon for a new Airfield Damage Repair warehouse, Osan Air Base, on Dec. 3, 2025.

    Compact Track Loaders cut the ribbon on Osan Air Base’s new Airfield Damage Repair warehouses

    Two compact track loaders (CTLs) cleared ribbons to mark the opening of a new Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) warehouse, Osan Air Base, South Korea, on Dec. 3, 2025. Driven by Col. Ryan Ley, Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Carl T. Vogel, Command Chief, 51st Fighter Wing, the unique start to the ceremony highlighted the mission these facilities support of rapid airfield recovery in a contingency environment.
  • Col. Ryan Ley, Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Carl T. Vogel, Command Chief, 51st Fighter Wing, drive compact track loaders (CTLs) to clear the ribbon for a new Airfield Damage Repair warehouse, Osan Air Base, on Dec. 3, 2025.

    Compact Track Loaders cut the ribbon on Osan Air Base’s new Airfield Damage Repair warehouses

    Two compact track loaders (CTLs) cleared ribbons to mark the opening of a new Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) warehouse, Osan Air Base, South Korea, on Dec. 3, 2025. Driven by Col. Ryan Ley, Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Carl T. Vogel, Command Chief, 51st Fighter Wing, the unique start to the ceremony highlighted the mission these facilities support of rapid airfield recovery in a contingency environment.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Japan District (USACE JED) engineering division civil engineer, Joseph Dashiell, center, assists students from Naval Air Facility Atsugi’s Shirley Lanham Elementary School in building electrical circuits during their annual Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Day event, December 3rd, 2025. As part of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) curriculum, Lanham’s STEAM Day introduces students to the dynamic world of STEAM through fast-paced, rotating classroom sessions led by guest instructors. Each session offers students a chance to see how science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics intersect in everyday life. Photo by Patrick Ciccarone.

    JED sparks curiosity during Atsugi STEAM Day

    Naval Air Facility Atsugi’s Shirley Lanham Elementary lit up, quite literally, as students experimented with building simple electrical circuits during their annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) Day event on December 3, 2025.

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