us army: pe-winter-spring-2007

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U.S. A RMY C ORPS OF E NGINEERS - P ACIFIC O CEAN D IVISION

Winter-Spring 2007

pacific engineer

ALASKARobust

Construction

HONOLULUAmerican

Samoa

JAPANPhysicalFitness

FAR EASTExchangeTrainees



2 pacific engineer • Winter-Spring 2007

The Pacic Engineer Magazine is published quarterly bythe Public Affairs Ofce, Pacic Ocean Division, U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers to provide regional information on people,

projects, policies, operations, technical developments, trendsand ideas from, or related to the Division, its people, or regional

processes.This publication is printed and distributed in accordance with

AR 360-1. Questions about, or submissions to this publicationshould be directed to Public Affairs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Pacic Ocean Division, Bldg. 525, Fort Shafter,HI 96858-5440. The editor can also be contacted by telephoneat (Commercial) 808 438-8319, (DSN) 315 438-8319. Digitalcopies are available and can be requested by contacting the

Pacic Ocean Division

Commander: Brig. Gen. John W. PeabodyChief, Public Affairs: Bill Erwin

Editor: Bill ErwinAlaska District: Col. Kevin J. Wilson

Chief, Public Affairs: Tom Findtner Honolulu District: Lt. Col. Charles H. Klinge

Chief, Public Affairs: Joseph BonglioJapan District: Col. Robert VastaChief, Public Affairs: Grant Sattler

Far East District: Col. Janice Dombi Chief, Public Affairs: Joseph A. Campbell

editor by e-mail at [email protected]. Contents within this publication do not necessarilyreect the ofcial views of, nor should they be consideredan endorsement of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Army. This publication hasa limited circulation of approximately 2,650 copies.

pacificengineer

Cover photo: Construction is 90 percent complete on the replacement dam in the Tlingit village of Kake on Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska.

Safety is notnegotiable

Heat injuries are seriousand must be treated immediately

In scal year 2006, the Army lost two Soldiers due to hotweather injuries. Were these preventable accidents? Probably so.

In that same time frame, there were a total of 73 heat-relatedinjuries reported mainly due to improper hydration.

Losses of combat power like these can be prevented by leaders,supervisors and Soldiers by keeping an eye on each other andlooking for the early warning signs.

Heat injury prevention is a command and leadership as wellas a personal responsibility. Proper use of Composite Risk Management will help reduce the likelihood of heat injuriesoccurring.

Heat injuries are a major threat in training, combat and whileworking. They kill or disable Soldiers and civilians every year.

The human body is a small radiator that is easily overloaded by exercise or work. Fifteen times more heat is produced by your body when you are active than when your are at rest.

Hot and humid weather contributes to the possibility of heat injuries by preventing the evaporation of perspiration, thus

inhibiting the body’s natural cooling system.Heat injuries should be treated immediately. Rapid cooling is

the rst priority...it can reduce death rates from ve to 50 percent.Lay the victim at with feet elevated. Strip clothing...life is

more important than modesty. Apply iced sheets to the entire bodyto include the top of the head. Soak the sheets and victim withice water. Fan the victim. Massage large muscles while cooling.When sheets warm up, apply fresh cold sheets. Observe the victimand symptoms. Stop the cooling process if shivering occurs or

the body temperature drops to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Havethe victim evaluated by medical personnel before administeringwater or an IV. Continue cooling procedures while the victim isevacuated to a medical facility.

Keep a watch for heat injuries. Know the symptoms.For heat cramps and heat exhaustion:

Weakness or inability to work DizzinessHeadacheClumsiness, unsteadiness, staggering gaitIrritability (grouchy)Involuntary bowel movement

For heat stroke:

Convulsions and chillsVomitingConfusion, mumbling (Does not know who, when,where)CombativeUnconsciousness

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3Winter-Spring 2007 • pacific engineer

pacific engineer- winter-spring 2007 -Volume 3 Issue 1

P UBLISHED BY THE U.S. A RMY C ORPS OF E NGINEERS - P ACIFIC O CEAN D IVISION

Around The Pacic

Alaska

Honolulu

Japan

Korea

Around the Corps

Keep 2007 safeFrom the Commander Grimsley RecognizedRecognition (Photos)Shimonishi Retires

Oliva Retires

Robust ConstructionGWOT Exercise

Samoa Traffic ArteryGeotech

State and Corps Lauded

Physical Fitness ComplexHousing for SaseboReclaiming PropertyImproved Base Berthing

Job ShadowingTrainees Learn

New Chief of Engineers

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P a g e 2Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 23

Page 24

Page 8Page 10

Page 12Page 13Page 14

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Page 22




An Opening Note From the Commander

‘Strategic’ CommunicationsA Personal Responsibility

John PeabodyBrigadier General, U.S. Army

Pacic Ocean Division Team:

In April the Pacic Ocean Division senior leaders and Regional Leadership Development class attended our annual

Senior Leader Conference, where we reviewed our FY07-08 Campaign Plan. We re-validated the general directionof the plan, and made some course corrections where we felt appropriate. We expect to publish the updated plan thissummer, but in the meantime we identied a key aspect of the Campaign Plan that requires the energy and focus of every member of the Pacic Ocean Division if we are going to be successful: our Communications Strategy.

A 2006 BBC news headline read, “U.S. losing media war to al-Qaeda.” The article suggests that the U.S. mustmodernize its communications strategy if it is going to win over the Muslim world in the war on terror. Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld admitted that some of the U.S.’s most critical battles were being fought in the “newsrooms,” saying “Our enemieshave skillfully adapted to ghting wars in today’s media age, but…our country has not.” Mr. Rumsfeld put into action a strategic communicationsframework across the military, adamant that the nation must operate a more effective, 24 hour–a-day communications complex.

As an organization that is dedicated to defending our nation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must develop similar plans that allow us tounderstand our customers’ needs and translate those needs into highly functional mission capabilities via our engineering services. We must informnot only the public of the value we provide, but all of our customers, stakeholders and industry team-mates. We cannot afford to sit back and wait for acrisis to occur before we proactively communicate. Nothing more clearly demonstrates this than the impact of Hurricane Katrina not only on the Corps’

physical projects, but on our reputation, which is clearly under re as a result. We cannot wait for another Hurricane Katrina - like situation. We mustact now.

Every project, large or small, establishes the reputation of the entire Corps with the customers familiar with that project. These customers talk withothers, further extending our reputation, whether good or bad. The reputation then generates self-sustaining momentum if customers’ experiences aresimilar. Our reputation thus takes on a life of its own, and is therefore only as good as our last project. We simply cannot afford to have a poor reputationgenerated from any single one of our projects. We can read daily in the mass media criticisms - fair or not - from groups, organizations and individualsdisparaging USACE or its subordinate organizations. These criticisms, regardless of truth, when repeated often enough take on the mantle of fact by theuninformed, and contribute to undermining the integrity of the Corps.

This is a great challenge we cannot afford to ignore. Therefore, a proactive stance toward communicating our capabilities, goals and vision tothe public, elected and community leaders, all of our customers, and our own employees and their families, is essential. But more important than anymessage or communications strategy, positive experiences and results will generate a positive reputation for the Corps, and keep customers and industryteam-mates satised and coming back. Again, we are only as good as our last project.

What is even more critical, as a public service agency USACE provides a variety of customers vital engineering services and capabilities across thefull spectrum of operations—from peace to war—in support of national interests, especially in the economic and national security realms. The nationliterally depends on the Corps -- but not everyone in the nation appreciates this fact, so it is up to us to secure our reputation. In order to communicate

positive ideas effectively we must rst believe in our organization, its integrity and its ability to accomplish great things. Most of all, our actions mustsupport our words, and must be consistently reinforced by every one of us, every day.

To guide efforts in developing an effective communications strategy, I provided direction to POD’s leaders that our communications musthave certain characteristics. I ask each of you to take on a personal commitment to communicate with customers by working to apply the belowcommunications characteristics:

• Customer and Mission Oriented: Understand what customer’s mission requirements are, and seek to deliver those requirements.• Effective: Integrated (higher, lower & with Stakeholders), targeted, accurate, consistent, timely, educates and informs customers and industry

team-mates.• Pro-active & Two-Way: Seek out and listen to Customers, Stake-holders and Team-mates, reect understanding through actions: Listen rst, then

understand … only then talk, and follow-up with action.• Uses Key Themes and Messages: These must be clearly articulated and explained, developed by experts, vetted and approved by key Leaders• Employs Multiple Redundant Methods and media: Every POD employee has a responsibility to build customer and team-mate support, thus

generating positive regional reputation for the Corps.• Reinforces Strategic Direction: Relevance, Readiness, Reliability and Responsiveness of USACE and POD• Develops Objectives: with Supporting Strategies, Methods & Metrics.• Establishes Routine Strategic Relationships: that reinforce alliances, and provide redundant engagement capacity• Is sustainable: Incorporates workforce training in communications, and institutionalizes communications in QMS processes.Each District, each project, each USACE professional in the Pacic Ocean Division, regardless of duty, is the public face of the US Army Corps of

Engineers to every one of the customers with whom we interact daily. The Corps of Engineers in the Pacic region is only as good as our last project -our most recent success, or our most recent failure. Our collective reputation - the personal reputation of each of us as USACE professionals, and indeedthe collective reputation of the entire Corps of Engineers, rests in each of our hands.

Regardless of how good we are at what we do, if our actions go untold, customers tend to quickly forget a positive experience. Our POD leaderswill be working with me to develop a solid, comprehensive Strategic Communications Plan that proclaims our values to our customers, standardizeour messages, create a desire for our product and create loyalty. But all of us in POD must understand that communications has moved from being theresponsibility of leaders or specialists, to being an essential and integral element of the entire corporate work force.

George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” We must work hard toensure we listen intently to customer’s needs so that we devise solutions to their requirements, that we repeat our messages with sufcient frequency sothat we are heard and understood, and that we communicate in a simple and straightforward manner so that we are clear. This is the responsibility of each and every one of the 1800 people in the Pacic Ocean Division.

Army Strong - Engineer Ready.Essayons!

Brig. Gen. John W. Peabody




Grimsley recognized as one ofHawaii’s top military spouses

Need, sacrice and recognitionaptly describe an awards presentationat Honolulu Hale.

Family readiness group (FRG)leader Maria Grimsley saw theneeds in her community, made thenecessary sacrices to lend her support, and though she did not seek reward, was recognized by Mayor Mu Hannemann and the HonoluluCouncil Navy League for her tremendous contributions to the 25th

Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB),Wheeler Army Air Field.

As a senior FRG leader, Grimsley,along with other key leader spousesat the company, battalion and brigadelevel, volunteers were needed to takecare of military families and help keepcommunication owing -- on deploymentmatters, family housing issues, publicschool concerns, and the like—withfamilies in her husband’s unit.

In addition to being a dependent spouseand the mother of three, a 20, 18 and14-year-old, Grimsley is also a SupportAssistant for the Pacic Ocean Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She’s

the wife of Sgt. Maj. James Grimsley of Headquarters and Headquarters Company25th CAB, who iscurrently deployed insupport of OperationIraqi Freedom, butshe doesn’t ride hiscoattail.

“I personally never present myself as asergeant major’s wife,

just Maria Grimsley,”she said. “If I meet

young wives thatI’m able to mentor, Imentor them. I wasin the service myself,”she said, explainingher understanding of the varied aspects of military life.

For the past threeyears, the councilhas recognized thetop seven spouses ineach Hawaii-basedmilitary branch by

presenting themwith a $1,000 check,courtesy of fundingfrom JN Chevrolet; ahandsome keepsake

plaque from theleague itself; andthe mayor’s letter of

acknowledgement.Though the council is comprised

of mostly sea service members, BobMcDermott, executive director said, thecouncil recognizes all the branches because“when units are deployed, it’s not just the

Navy, the Marine Corps and the CoastGuard. It’s the Army, very much so, andthe Air force,” he said. “We’re all on thesame team.”

The U.S. Pacic Command providedthe council with names of awardees.Individual branches selected a spouse whomet specic criteria, mainly as the rear

focal point for units deployed in a hostiletheater of operations during 2006. “Simply put,” the criteria read, “he or she is the gluethat helps hold these deployed familiestogether.”

“Mahalo nui loa (thank you verymuch)…for serving as the main source for communication for families whose lovedones are serving our country overseas,” saidMayor Hannemann during the ceremony.“I can’t say enough about what you do.You have really gone beyond the call.”

“Being the mayor of the 13th largest

municipality in the United States, I can’t be everywhere. I need individuals to stepforward, and you’ve done that,” he said.

Hannemann stressed that the military isa key partner in the Hawaii community.

“I shutter to think about what our security would be like were it not for avery strong military post here, each of our military branches here,” he said.

One key spouse each from the Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps,Hawaii Army National Guard and HawaiiAir National Guard received recognitionfrom the mayor.

“At the end of the day,” he said inconclusion, “it’s all about families. Noother home front is as important.”

Honolulu Mayor Mu Hannemann presents Maria Grimsleywith a Certicate of Recognition from the Navy League. Photocourtesy of the Hawaii Army Weekly

From Staff Reports




RecognitionPacic Ocean Division

Photo Gallery

Ben Simao is presented a Service Certicate for 20 yearsof U.S. Government Service by Brig. Gen. John Peabodyduring an awards ceremony in April. (Photo by Joe

Bonglio)

A letter from President George W. Bush was presented to Jane Shimonishi during a retirement luncheon in April. Left to right: Fred Shimonishi, Jane Shimonishi, and Brig.Gen. John Peabody.

Col. Raymond Scrocco gives his wife a bouquet of roses and akiss at his retirement luncheon at the Sea Breeze Restaurant,

Hickam Air Force Base. See story on page 15. (Photo by Bill Erwin)

Wendell S. Awada is presented the Bronze de Fleury. (Photo by Joe Bonglio)




Fort Shafter, Hawai

One of the Pacic Ocean Division Commander’s priorities is to“develop our people.” Build an enduring team of professionalswho love their work and working environment that includes: (1)active training focused on leader development, (2) proactiveand consistent performance counseling, (3) an inclusive awards

program (4) and fun social events.

Jim Ligh is presented the Bronze de Fleury by Brig. Gen. John Peabody. (Photo by Joe Bonglio)

Russell H. Takara is presented a Service Certicate for 30 years of U.S. Government Service. (Photo by Joe Bonglio)

Mitchel O. Glenn is presented the Army Commendation Medal for service while serving as the Disaster Relief Assessment Team Engineer for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force during deployment in support of the Tsunami Disaster Relief Mission in Bangkok,Thailand. He was also presented Meritorious Service

Medal for service while serving as Plans Ofcer for HQUSACE. (Photo by Joe Bonglio)

Roland F. Laberge is presented the Bronze deFleury. (Photo by Joe Bonglio)

Richard Torres is presented the Bronze deFleury. (Photo by Joe Bonglio)




Alaska District For FY07, expect $726.6 million

Alaska District executes a robustconstruction program

The Alaska Districtcontinues to executea robust construction

program, particularly in militaryconstruction. The estimated

program of military, ArmyTransformation, civil works andenvironmental work will range

between $700 and $800 million per year for the next few years.

In scal year 2006 theDistrict workload was $738.6million. In scal year 2007 theDistrict expects the workload tototal $726.6 million, including$550 million in militaryconstruction, $50 million inArmy Transformation, $86.6million in civil works, and $40million in environmental work.

Workload is dened asall expenditures for executingthe scal year’s mission. Theseexpenditures include suchthings as studies, designs,labor, and payment on contractsfor architecture-engineering,service and construction work.

Three large Army housingcontracts are targeted for awardin the second quarter of FY07,

between January and March2007. The cost range for eachof these projects is $36-$44million.

Other militaryconstruction projects includeadd and alter the physicaltness center at Eielson Air Force Base, replace the chapelcenter at Eielson, a 120-roomdormitory on Elmendorf, andseveral utility projects.

Military Transformationchanges the Alaska District’srole somewhat in the projectdelivery process. The idea is toemulate private sector practiceswith standardized facilities and

processes. The goal is to tighten

the timeline and stretch thedollars while providing qualityfacilities.

In March 2006 the Corpsof Engineers created Centersof Standardization (COS).The Corps’ Huntsville Center and seven districts around thenation have been assignedresponsibility for specic typesof facilities. For example,Huntsville is the center for

physical tness facilities andHonolulu District is a center for unaccompanied ofcer’s andtransient ofcer’s quarters. TheAlaska District works closelywith these centers.

Two of the rst MilitaryTransformation projects inAlaska are a troop medicalclinic and a barracks facility,

both at Fort Richardson.Projected award dates for these

projects are second quarter,scal year 2007.

The District’s CivilWorks program has targetedseveral harbor contract awardsin FY07, depending onCongressional funding. SaintPaul harbor improvements,Phase III, at an estimated costof $1-$5 million, is targeted for award in the second quarter.Unalaska harbor, estimated at$5-$10 million, is targeted for a third quarter award. Chignik harbor, Phase II, estimated at$1-$5 million, and Dillinghamemergency bank stabilization,estimated at $1-$5 million, aretargeted for a fourth quarter award.

By Pat RichardsonU.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Alaska District Public Affairs

Also, depending onCongressional appropriations,the District could award $1-$5million each for coastal erosion,Bethel bank stabilization, andSeward harbor construction.Continued funding for ongoingharbor projects at False Pass,

Nome and Saint Paul couldtotal $17.5 million.

The Alaska Districtreceived several awards in2006, including Chief of Engineers Award for Excellencein Design for the Terry LeeWilson Battle CommandTraining Center at FortWainwright, the Air ForceDesign through ConstructionAgent of the Year award, andthe Air Force Honor Award for Architecture Landscaping for the Elmendorf Dorm Campus.

Construction is 90 percent complete on the replacement dam in the Tlingit village of Kake on Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska.




Robust Construction Program

The Hydrant Fuel Project at Eielson Air Force Base. Other military construction projects

for the Air Force include add

and alter the physical tnesscenter at Eielson Air Force

Base, replace the chapel center at Eielson, a 120-roomdormitory on Elmendorf, and

several utility projects.

Military housing at Fort Wainwright. Three large Army housing contracts are targeted for award in the second quarter of FY07,between January and March 2007, so activity will be brisk at Fort Wainwright, in Fairbanks, with $1 billion in new militaryconstruction, mostly in housing and dormitory projects, planned over the next ve years.




Field Force Engineering(FFE) training took place inAlaska on Jan. 8-12 at theAlaska District on Elmendorf Air Force Base. A combinationof briengs and eld exerciseswas directed toward supportingwarghter units in the GlobalWar on Terrorism. Members of the District’s Forward Engineer Support Team-Advance (FEST-A) participated.

“We provide the technicalengineering capability to theArmy units,” Chris Kolditz,G3 Plans Ofcer at CorpsHeadquarters said. “We havecivil, mechanical, and electricalengineers with professionaldegrees. In Army engineeringunits, they don’t usually havethose folks.”

Kolditz traveled to Alaskafrom Washington, D.C. tocoordinate the Alaska FFEtraining. Marc G. Dumas, FFEMilitary Planner from SouthAtlantic Division, ew fromAtlanta to offer his expertise.

“It was 70 degreesFahrenheit when I boarded the

plane (in Georgia) and minusten when I got off (in Alaska),”he said. Temperatures droppedeven further after his arrival.A cold front settled over thestate, driving temperatures to 20

below for the rst three days of

the training. By comparison, thelast two days were a balmy 20to 25 above zero.

Field Force Engineeringsupports both military and civil/international contingencies, saidKolditz. On the military side,FFE supports Operation IraqiFreedom and on the civilianside, it has supported HurricaneKatrina and South Asian

tsunami recovery.

Members of Alaska District’sFEST-A team previously participatedin civil andinternationalcontingencies.They supportedthe FederalEmergencyManagementAgency’shumanitarianassistance and

disaster relief by deploying toKatrina recoveryin 2005. Other team membersdeployed within24 hours of activation tosupport international responseto tsunami recovery in Thailandfollowing the Dec. 26, 2004,

Indian Ocean earthquake.

Now the team is training tosupport the military warghter

with on siteand reach back engineeringcapability,accordingto Lt. Col.Steven Unfreid,Alaska’s FEST-A team leader.

“We aredeveloping andmaintaininga trained andequipped teamto be ready torespond whenthe ghtingunits need our engineering

expertise,” Unfreid said.He travels to Fort Lewis inFebruary to offer assistance to

the 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat

Team (SBCT) preparing todeploy to Iraq.“Our FFE real-world support

to the 4-2 was demonstratedthis week when a request camein to design a forward operating

base in two days to supportour president’s surge strategy,”he said. “We met the suspense

by leveraging the LouisvilleBase-Camp DevelopmentTeam, which provided a bill of material, site layout drawings,

and our planning gures andassumptions.”

During the recent trainingin Alaska, the FEST-A teamreceived hands on experiencewith their Automated RouteReconnaissance Kit (ARRK).The team operated out of aneight-passenger van equippedwith a digital camera and aGlobal Positioning System

Alaska District participates in exercises directedtoward supporting the Global War on Terrorism

Jeff Powell, developer of the TCE-D at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Miss. demonstrates new software to Alaska District’s FEST-A Team members. Fromleft to right, Karl Hee, Imran Khan and Lonn Lyford. (Photo by Pat Richardson)

By Pat RichardsonU.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Alaska District

“We aredeveloping andmaintaininga trained andequipped teamto be ready torespond when the

ghting units needour engineeringexpertise.”

--Lt. Col. StevenUnfreid




mounted on the windshieldand a laptop computer. FEST-A team determined the loadcarrying capacity of a bridgeand used an laser range nder to measure the length and widthof the Bryant Army Aireldrunway on Fort Richardson.

On the trip to the Bryant

aireld, Mike Callicott, astructural engineer, drove thevan, while Ivonne Drake, a

procurement analyst, rode inthe passenger seat as a spotter and Kim Kuk, a civil engineer,monitored their route on thelaptop.

Kuk followed the van’s routevia on a map on the laptopscreen. He watched as a brightyellow bullseye tracked thevan’s route. He spoke into

a microphone hooked intothe laptop to record items of interest such as highways,

bridges, intersections, railroadtracks, utility lines, and

Using a laser range nder, Alaska’s FEST-A Team members Ivonne Drake, Mike Callicott and Kim Kuk measure the width of the Bryant Army Aireld on Fort Richardson. (Photo by Pat Richardson)

airelds. The ARRK’s digitalcamera loaded photos onto thelaptop in individual les everytwo seconds.

“Haven’t seen anyunfriendlies yet,” Kuk said,

playing the role of someone ona real reconnaissance mission.“Overhead obstruction, power

lines, 25 ft. clearance.” A fewminutes later, he narrated,“Crossing railroad tracks,heading toward ChugachMountain Range on DavisHighway, lot of snow on theground, trafc picking up as weapproach Fort Richardson.”

The training alsotested the team’s abilityto use their satellitecapable, TeleEngineeringCommunications Equipment-

Deployable (TCE-D) bysending the eld data to theEmergency Operations Center at District headquarters for detailed analysis.

Members of the AlaskaDistrict FEST-A team who participated in the training wereKim Kuk, Operations Branch;Karl Hee, a civil engineer inSpecications Section; Clarke

Hemphill, a civil engineer inPlan Formulation Section;Ivonne Drake, Deputy for Small Business; Mike Callicott,Construction Support Branch;Imran Khan, an electricalengineer in Mechanical andElectrical Section; Lon Lyford,a project engineer at theRichardson Resident Ofce; Lt.Col. Steve Unfried, an activatedreserve ofcer serving at theAlaska District.

In briengs, the teamreceived training in convoyoperations, mine/unexplodedordnance/I explosive deviceawareness, military decisionmaking process, strategiccommunications, preventivemedicine, deployment

processes, rst aid medictraining, and nance andaccounting information.

The Alaska District’svolunteer FEST-A team standsready to support the warghter anytime they are called.

Clarke Hemphill, left, and Lon Lyford transfer data to theTeleEngineering Communications Equipment-Deployable(TCE-D). The box of equipment can be operated from building

power or a car battery anywhere in the world to provide all thecommunications ability available in District headquarters. TCE-

D includes satellite phone and video teleconferencing equipment.(Photo by Chris Kolditz)




Honolulu District

AMERICAN SAMOA - TheU.S. Army Corps of EngineersHonolulu District and AmericanSamoa ofcials recently heldribbon-cutting ceremonies for the completion of the $12.3million Route 1 Reconstruction

and Shoreline Protection -Phase V, Faganeanea to Nuuuli project.

“We are proud to openthis new vital roadway for American Samoa,” said JamesBersson, Honolulu DistrictDeputy Engineer for ProjectManagement. “The roadway

project clearly improves and protects the remaining gap inRoute 1 from Nuuuli to PagoPago. Residents who will use

the roadway – those livingnear the airport, the industrialarea and those living outside of

Nuuuli - will now be able to getto the government center areamore efciently.”

The Route 1 Reconstructionand Shoreline Protection -Phase V, Faganeanea to Nuuuli

project was Interagency andInternational Services Programwork in behalf of FederalHighways Administrationand the American SamoaDepartment of Public Works.According to Bersson, thiswas the largest construction

project managed by the Corpsof Engineers in AmericanSamoa and arguably the mostimportant since the roadwayserves as a critical backbone for all commerce and residents on

the island of Tutuila, the center of government and businessfor the territory. The projectduration was 18 months.

Bersson added that the project clearly demonstratesthe continuing partnership andassistance between the Corps,the Government of AmericanSamoa and Federal HighwayAdministration for improving

the quality of life for thecitizens of American Samoa.Dignitaries attending

the ceremonies wereAmerican Samoa Lt. Gov.Ipulasi A. Sunia, Director of Port Administration FofoTony Tuitele,Abraham Wong,Federal HighwaysAdministration,Hawaii DivisionAdministrator,

Pat Phung,Federal HighwaysAdministration,TerritorialRepresentative.

Also attendingwere contractorsMark Liersch,President, McConnellDowell (AmericanSamoa) Limited,Michael Buckland,Construction Manager for New Zealandand the Pacic andRoger McRae theMcConnell DowellGeneral Manager.

At the ceremonyBersson laudedthe Department of Public Works andCivil Highways

Division staff members whowere highly instrumental inworking with Honolulu Districtin completing the design andmonitoring the constructioncontract, specically noting thework of Deputy Director, CivilHighway Division FaleosinaVoigt, Project Engineer SivaGnaseswaren, ConstructionInspectors Vaimapu O’Brien

and Alofa Tanuvasa.“They coordinated the project with other governmentaland utility agencies; insuredsite specic requirements wereincluded and were our eyes andears during the construction

period to questions/issueswhich arose duringconstruction,” Bersson said.“They were at the forefrontin working with the residentsliving along the constructionsite and driving publicanswering their questions andconcerns.”

Bersson also congratulatedcontractors, McConnell Dowelland AE M&E Pacic, Inc. for their work in the completion of the project.

(PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA) Elisapeta Sunia, wife of American Samoa Lt. Gov. Ipulasi Sunia cuts the ceremonial ribbon to ofcially openthe Route 1 Reconstruction & Shoreline Protection - Phase V, Faganeaneato Nuuuli. Watching the ribbon-cutting are (left to right) Mike Buckland,Construction Manager for New Zealand and the Pacic; James Bersson,

Honolulu District Deputy Engineer for Project Management; Abe Wong,Federal Highways Administration and American Samoa Deputy Director,Civil Highway Division Faleosina Voigt. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, American Samoa open “vital” trafc artery

By U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District

AmericanSamoa




Response when called

Several years ago as part of the Joint POW/MIAAccounting Command,he deployed to Vietnam toassist in bringing home theremains of fallen AmericanVietnam War Soldiers. In2005 he deployed to BandaAceh, Indonesia to assessinfrastructure damage after thedevastating tsunami killed anestimated 220,000 people. InFebruary 2006 he deployed

to Leyte, Philippines as partof a Forward EngineeringSupport Team (FEST) after amassive landslide swept awayGuinsaugon village, killingan estimated 1,800 people.One month later he joinedan emergency PreliminaryDamage Assessment team in

providing immediate geologicalreconnaissance after the earthenKaloko Dam breached causingthe death of seven people on theHawaiian island of Kauai.

And now - after nearly 30years with the U.S. Army Corpsof Engineers providing hisexpertise worldwide - HonoluluDistrict’s GeotechnicalEngineer Ray Kong is livingand working for the Corps atCamp Bondsteel, Kosovo.

“I hope to make an impact by my example, words and program implementation,however small the impactmay be,” Kong said. “I’vehad opportunities uponopportunities to hit even higher goals…. Who says you can’texperience new things when,like myself, you are in the later years of your career.”

Kong says one of his higher goals has been to become the

best engineer he can be.

“This will really help myengineering judgment,” Kongsaid. He strongly believes thatimproved engineering judgmentcan be gained by getting intodifferent situations that requirethinking outside of the box.

Kong, who has never served on active-duty but hasdeployed all around the worldafter typhoons, hurricanes andearthquakes, says being ableto have this on-the-groundexperience with Soldiershas been a real eye-opener and given him a rst-handunderstanding of the operations

side of engineering and akeener insight into the “whole picture.”

It has also given him theopportunity to put his life into

proper perspective and hasgiven him a greater appreciationfor America and its blessings.

“The Soldiers are hereto provide freedom for theKosovars,” Kong said. “Howfortunate we are in theU.S. with our afuence and

freedom. I essentially wantedto experience everything and atthe same time hope I can give

back as much as I gain.Kong says aside from the

cold weather and the rapid paceof work, his job in Kosovo isnot too much different from hisHonolulu District job.

“It surprisingly isn’t muchdifferent from my regular job,only answers are requiredmore quickly,” Kong said.“Sometimes my work requireslong hours to complete becauseeverything here is required to

be done quickly.”Kong left Honolulu in

January for the four-monthdeployment to serve as DeputyDirector for the Directorateof Public Works (DPW) for the Area Support Team. After two months he was promoted

to Director for DPW. Hehelps oversee the work of contractor Kellogg, Brown andRoot Services, Inc. (KBRS).KBRS provides most of theinfrastructure and utilityservices on Camp Bondsteel,Camp Monteith and other remote sites in Kosovo.

“I enjoy helping to run the base more efciently so thatour Soldiers and others canconcentrate on doing their jobs

better,” Kong said.Overseeing the buildings,

electricity, water, heating, air conditioning and roads for Camp Bondsteel and its 7,000U.S. Soldiers is no easy task,

but gives Kong a great sense of accomplishment.

Kong’s supervisor, Erick

Kozuma, Chief, TechnicalSupport Branch, says Kongcontinues to help the SchoeldBarracks Resident Ofceresolve current issues with

paving requirements for theCorps Drum Road Phase I

project in Oahu.“Even though he has

been working long days andweekends (in Kosovo), when

we do have issues, he has been providing guidance via email,”Kozuma said. “Since I’veworked with him, he rarely saysno to any request.”

Camp Bondsteel wasestablished in 1999 following

NATO Operation AlliedForce in which Serbian troopswere forced out of Kosovoand replaced by international

peacekeepers to ensure refugeescould return to their homes.The camp grew from a farmingarea to a 900-acre camp inorder to support the NATO-led

peacekeeping mission.The military and KBRS

have worked quickly toimprove service members’quality of life by buildingwooden “South East Asia-style”

huts to replace the tents, severaldining facilities, two chapels, a24-hour tness center, a library,

plus American pizza andhamburger restaurants.

Kong plans to return toHonolulu in April to his wifeand three children to resume hiswork as a geotechnical engineer in the Technical SupportBranch.

Kosovo adds to Geo-Tech’s worldwide deployment resume By Sarah H. Cox U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Honolulu District

Honolulu Geotechnical Engineer Ray Kong works at his desk at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo where he is serving as Deputy Director for the Directorate of Public Works. (Courtesy photo)




“I would like to acknowledge theCorps’ good work in conducting theinspections so quickly and being a good

partner with the state,” Lee said. “They brought in experts from around thecountry and worked closely with thestate to inspect the dams immediatelyafter Kaloko.”

A message from Hawaii Gov. LindaLingle one-year after the Kaloko Dam

breach says, “The state has taken stepsto enhance its dam safety program.State ofcials, together with the ArmyCorps of Engineers and the U.S.Bureau of Reclamation, inspected all136 regulated dams across the islandslast year and none were found to bein imminent danger of a breach. Thestate is also in the process of updatingemergency evacuation plans statewideto account for population shifts thatoccurred in areas surrounding damsand reservoirs. These plans willidentify areas and populations atrisk as well as critical structures andfacilities built in potential inundationareas. We have also establishedevacuation protocols in the event of an emergency.

The Corps conducted state-widevisual dam inspections in March and April 2006 after the Kaloko

reservoir dam breach caused an estimated 400 million gallons of water to speed down-slope resulting in ood damage to homes, amajor road and the conrmed deaths of seven people.

Honolulu District Commander Lt. Col. Charles H. Klinge attendedthe press conference to accept the thanks from the state on behalf of the Corps. Also attending the press conference were State Departmentof Natural Resources (DLNR) Chairman Peter Young, Departmentof Agriculture Director Sandra Lee-Kunimoto and Department of Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino

Immediately following the Kaloko disaster, Honolulu District provided geological reconnaissance and technical assistance to KauaiCounty, DLNR and state of Hawaii Civil Defense.

Honolulu District

“I would like to acknowledge the Corps’ good work inconducting the inspections so quickly and being a good

partner with the state.” --Maj. Gen. Robert Lee

HONOLULU – One year after the Kaloko Dam breach, Hawaii stateofcials praised the partnership between the state and the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers in conducting state-wide dam inspections in a

press conference held in the Executive Chamber at the state capitolTuesday. The press conference was held to discuss the state’s damsafety program.

Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, state of Hawaii Adjutant General, laudedthe Corps’ fast reaction and teamwork last year and thanked the Corpsfor its ongoing efforts to help the state with dam break studies.

State and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnership in dam inspections is lauded

Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, (right) state of Hawaii Adjutant General, discussed the state’s dam safety program in a March 13 press conference at the state capitol. He lauded the Corps’ fast reactionand partnership last year and thanked the Corps for its ongoing efforts to help the state with dambreak studies. Also in attendance were (from left to right) Department of Agriculture Director

Sandra Lee-Kunimoto, Department of Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino, Department of Natural Resources (DLNR) Chairman Peter Young and Honolulu District Commander Lt. Col.Charles H. Klinge.

By U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District




As the barrage of rainstorms continued to soak the HawaiianIslands, Lingle ordered the inspections of all reservoirs and damsin Hawaii.

The Honolulu District inspected the Kaloko Dam four daysafter it failed, on March 18, 2006, under the federal Public Law84-99 emergency program. Participating in the inspection wererepresentatives from Hawaii DLNR and Kauai Civil Defense. Theinspection conrmed Kaloko Dam breached with about 140 acre-feetof the reservoirs’ more than 1,400 acre-ft. of storage remained.

The State of Hawaii requested additional support from the HonoluluDistrict as a precautionary measure. The Honolulu District inspected83 dams on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu and re-inspected four dams on Kauai. Altogether, visual surveys for bothactions resulted in 137 dam inspections. None of the dams evaluatedwere in imminent danger of failure on the date of their inspection.The second round of inspections was conducted under reimbursablefunding from DLNR.

At the 2006 Federal Executive Board awards ceremonies held inMay, Hawaii Lingle praised the state dam inspections efforts led by theCorps of Engineers, stressing the importance of government agenciesworking together to make a difference and stated how proud she wasof the partnership between the state of Hawaii and the Corps.

Gov. Lingle stated at the ceremony that the Corps accomplishedin two weeks what would have taken the state years to accomplishalone. She also said she was pleased the Corps drew upon local assetsand when needed brought in expertise from around the nation.

As authorized by the Fiscal Year 2006 Emergency SupplementalAppropriation Act (Public Law 109-234) which provided $2 millionfor the Hawaii Water System Technical Studies to conduct dam break analyses in accordance with Congressional intent, and was sponsored

by Sen. Daniel Inouye, the Honolulu District is conducting detailedhydrologic and hydraulic analyses of 11 dams. This study will resultin maps delineating areas downstream of the dams that would beinundated by water only if the dams were to fail.

The state DLNR is the non-cost sharing sponsor. These studies are being conducted in collaboration with other federal agencies, state of Hawaii Dam Safety Ofce and participating counties. The 11 damswere selected from the DLNR’s priority list due to urban developmentdownstream of the dams.

The dam break analyses are being done by a team of Corps staff and the local rms of Oceanit Laboratories, PB Americas, SSFMInternational and Tetra Tech. Study ndings will help the state determinewhat kind of warning systems and evacuation plans might be needed

in case of a dam break. The studies are scheduled to be completed inthe fall of 2007. The study will not establish when or the likelihoodof a dam failure.

“These studies involve evaluating various hydrologic and damfailure scenarios, and hydraulic analysis that will result in maps of the downstream areas that will be adversely affected only if the damwere to fail,” said Derek Chow, Corps of Engineers Senior ProjectManager.

The products will be used by the State Dam Safety Ofce and damowners in the preparation of required emergency action plans.

“I am pleased that the Corps of Engineers continues to play acritical role in evaluating the durability of Hawaii’s dams,” Inouyesaid. “These studies will provide key recommendations to help theState and counties better understand and mitigate against the potentialhazards caused by any dam failure.”

Following the October 15, 2006 earthquakes on the island of Hawaii and in accordance with the Hawaii Dam Safety Guidelines,all dams within a 75-mile radius were required to be inspected for

post-earthquake damages. Under the Stafford Act funded by theFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and in supportto the state of Hawaii, the Honolulu District conducted emergencyvisual condition surveys of 86 dams on the islands of Hawaii, Maui,and Molokai (within 75-mile radius) and Oahu and Kauai (as a

precautionary measure).

Employees of the Pacic Ocean Division and otherssaid goodbye to Col. Raymond K. Scrocco, Deputy DivisionCommander and Chief of Staff on May 11 during a retirementluncheon at the Sea Breeze Restaurant at Hickam Air Force Base.

Col. Scrocco became the Deputy Division Command andChief of Staff on August 17, 2004.

Prior to joining the Pacic Ocean Division, Col. Scrocco

served as Commander and District Engineer of the PittsburghDistrict, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from July 2001 to July2004.

He was commissioned an Engineer second lieutenant andawarded a Bachelor of Science degree from the State Universityof New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry andSyracuse University in 1977.

Col. Scrocco is married to the former Mary Carol Noonen.They have two children, daughter Kelly and son John.

(From left to right) Carol, John, Kelly, Col. Raymond Scroccoand Brig. Gen. John W. Peabody. During the retirement luncheon on May 11, Col. Scrocco and his family were

presented numerous gifts and mementos.

Col. Raymond K. Scrocco retires POD employees and others attend retirement luncheon




Japan District

Sailors, civilians,and family membersat Sasebo Navy Baseare getting in shapein the installation’snew Physical FitnessComplex completedin 2006. The facilityopened with a Feb.28 ribbon cuttingceremony.

Constructionof the complex, aGovernment of Japanfunded FacilitiesImprovement Program

project, was executedvery successfully,

said Japan Engineer District SaseboResident Engineer Martin Opitz. “Completed on schedule,delivered on time, within budget…it was agood project,” Opitz said.

The facility’s gymnasium, weightroom, cardio room, and locker rooms’Government Furnished Equipment arrivedfrom CONUS and were recently installed

by the Base.The Liberty Center – complete with

recreational equipment, large screen TV,

games and computers – is open for sailors.The community is also already usingthe Olympic sized swimming pool for training and recreation, Opitz said. “It isused to maintain physical tness, conductswimming tests and training, and requiredtraining in a water environment,” he said.

The multilevel 80,000 square foottraining complex is sized to accommodate

the normal base population and shipboardsailors. “The base population surges whenall ships are in port,” Opitz said.

The new tness facility providestwo indoor playing courts, a heated 25-meter pool, a large cardio exercise room,weight training rooms, a tness room,service ofces, equipment repair room,liberty center, 33 parking spaces, locker rooms with showers, sauna, and a large

gymnasium.“There were some good lessons

learned from Yokosuka gym applied tothis project,” Opitz said. “We incorporatedsome design changes … for recessedsprinkler systems, lights that don’t interferewith play, and relocation of the utilityaccess from the racquetball courts.”

Construction Representative Hiroshi

The new gymnasium in the Sasebo Fleet Fitness Complex contains three full size basketball courts.

Nagashima said the construction schedulefor the racquetball court suboor installation was adjusted to avoid problemswith temperature and humidity control asanother lesson applied from the Yokosuka

NB project. Nagashima said coordination with the

Fukuoka Defense Facilities AdministrationBureau allowed design modications for the main gymnasium including installationof U.S. provided HVAC. “The space can beused for many different events and be muchmore comfortable,” he said. “The Japanesedon’t air condition gyms, but a/c makes it amultipurpose facility.” Other U.S. providedequipment includes wrestling mats, a hoistcrane, marquee, and wall pads.

Sasebo Navy Base physical tness complex is completed By Grant Sattler U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers Japan District




Sasebo Navy Base is improvingits military housing inventorywith 44 new three-bedroomunits as a Government of Japan

funded midrise named Ayame Tower nears completion at the Hario housingarea. Construction of the six-story steel-reinforced concrete structure began inDecember 2004.

Closer to the waters of Omura Bay thanthe four nine-story high rises constructed inthe early 1990s in the Hario housing area,the new midrise includes some updatedfeatures.

Construction has been managed by theFukuoka Defense Facilities AdministrationBureau with construction surveillance

by the Japan Engineer District’s SaseboResident Ofce, said Sasebo ResidentEngineer Martin Opitz.

One of the most unique buildingfeatures is the community’s rst water reuse system that collects and lters graywater from kitchen and bathtub drains andrecycles it into separate supply lines for toilet ush water throughout the building,Opitz explained. Sasebo Public Works

initiated the suggestion as an economymeasure and the GoJ incorporatedit into the design, said ConstructionRepresentative Naoki Hara.

In the typical layout for mid- andhigh-rise housing towers there are twoapartments on each of four wings on thesecond through sixth oors, arrangedaround a central core containing twostairways, freight and passenger elevators,storage units and mechanical systems.Each three bedroom apartment is about1,250 square feet. The rst oor holdsfour apartments, a 2,100 square footmultipurpose room, mechanical rooms anda common refuse room to improve handlingof garbage. The project also includes a twostory 66-space parking structure, sewage

treatment station, 475 KVA transformer,steam distribution for the building heatingand air conditioning systems, exterior garbage room, bicycle storage, sidewalksand parking spaces and driveways.Opitz said that the project is also forwardlooking for photovoltaic energy for futureutility savings. “The structure has conduitsin the pipe chases for possible installationof a photovoltaic system in the future,”he said. “The roof is also designed tostructurally support any future photovoltaicsystem without major renovation.”

44 new three-bedroom units for Sasebo By Grant Sattler U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Japan District

Hario housing is about 30-minutes drivenorth from Sasebo Navy Base. The housingis next to Huis Ten Bosch, a Dutch-themedentertainment park.Construction of the midrise presentedsome unique challenges due to its hillsidelocation that can only be accessed throughthe housing area, Opitz said.“For the last three years, we’ve struggledwith noise and restrictions on work times.We’ve had some fairly stringent restrictionson our contractors,” Opitz said.

Noise and dust created when machinery pounded away at rock to create a levelworksite necessitated close coordinationwith the DFAB and contractors to stipulatewhat operations could be conductedwith which heavy equipment at different

times of day. Site preparation costs were programmed at $5.7 million. “When you break apart a mountain there will be a lot of noise and dust,” he said.“We also coordinate closely with housingto ensure the contractor reduces vehicular operations during school bus times andspecial events such as Halloween andschool closures,” Opitz said. “Hara-san’sat the housing ofce at least once a week.”Hara said Japanese contractors did notknow about events such as Halloween, solimited work time and holiday schedules

were written into DFAB contracts.Safety for housing residents was a top

priority. “We had to run a major steam linethrough housing from the boiler plant to thenew midrise with open trenches through

people’s yards and tearing up parking lots,”Opitz said, describing the challenge. “Ithink the Navy has appreciated what we’vedone from a safety perspective and limitingimpact to the base.”Opening the units is a positive step in

beginning to alleviate a housing shortagethat is not anticipated to improvesignicantly as programmed demolitionand refurbishment of aging units begins inthe coming years. “There is a big shortagewith Navy housing here in Sasebo,” Opitzsaid. “This is a big help, but not a completesolution.”

Construction has been managed by the Fukuoka Defense Facilities Administration Bureau with construction surveillance by the Japan Engineer District’s Sasebo Resident Ofce, said Sasebo Resident Engineer Martin Opitz.




Japan Seawall project

Project is reclaiming more than 500 acres from the Seto Inland Sea

Marine Corps Air StationIwakuni’s new outline becamereality as workers completed

placement of riprap and armor stones along a 464-meter long

seawall base enclosing the

installation’s former port area.The old port is being lledwith earth as part of phaseIII of the Iwakuni RunwayRelocation Project — known asIRRP — a massive multi-year

construction effort undertaken

by the Government of Japan.The project is reclaiming morethan 500 acres from the SetoInland Sea in order to relocatethe installation’s north-southrunway 1 kilometer to the east.

Because of thesize of the project,aside from theopening of thenew port area lastsummer, daily

progress is not

always obvious tothe base populace,explained JapanEngineer District’sIwakuni ResidentEngineer Mark

Nedzbala. “Thereare types of work,such as pile driving,within a geographicarea and later thereis additional, similar work within that

phase,” he said.“For instance, sanddrain and sand drain/compaction piles

basically prepare thesoil initially after reclamation. Later there is more specicsoil preparationfor structures suchas buildings or taxiways that will beconstructed on thereclamation soil.”

Situated on thesouthern end of Japan’s Honshuisland, MCASIwakuni’s land areais expanding asthe IRRP extendsthe delta seaward

between the Monzen

river to the southwest and the

Imazu river to the north of theinstallation. The new runwayalignment will eliminatehard turns on approach to or departure from the north endmade necessary by the presenceof chemical plants off the endof the runway. While alleviatingight safety concerns, the newrunway will also reduce aircraftnoise reverberating off of themountains surrounding IwakuniCity which lies to the west of

the aireld.MCAS Iwakuni Facilities

Engineer U.S. NavyCommander George Suther said the IRRP is denitelymoving in the right direction.“There is a lot of exciting work that is getting ready to startfor the base,” he said. “Thedevelopment of the plans,seeing what this base is going tolook like, and how it’s going to

be able to support the station’smission is very exciting.”

Suther said the IRRP brings improved capability tothe installation. “It’s hard tocomprehend just on paper,”he said. “Iwakuni is goingto have a multi-functioncapability that’s very importantto the defense of Japan andfor American interests in theregion.”

The Government of Japanhas completed a runway

pavement test project that isinuencing the runway designfor the reclaimed land. Work now includes placing armor stone and capping of theseawall and improving the morethan 2.6 million cubic metersof ll material already placedfrom nearby Atago mountain.Another million cubic meters

Contractors place and grade a 200 meter length of armor stones atop the seawall enclosing the previous MCAS Iwakuni port. (Photo by Mark Nedzbala)

By Alan Sattler U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Japan District




will be added and sand drain piles, sand compaction piles,and combined sand drain/compaction piles will be placedto speed settlement and reducerisk of liquefaction duringseismic events.

“The project is aGovernment of Japan

initiative and as such theHiroshima Defense FacilitiesAdministration Bureauis managing the project,”

Nedzbala said. “The ArmyCorps of Engineers role is tooversee the construction andcoordinate and assist betweenthe Air Station on the USG sideand the Government of Japan.”

Suther said Facilitiesand the Iwakuni ResidentOfce have a good working

relationship. “Mark keeps meinformed of the projects andthe progress,” Suther said. “If

there are problems he gets theGovernment of Japan engineersto come out and talk with us.Starts or stoppages affect our operations on the base and weneed to be able to adjust.”

Coordination with the IROand with Programs & ProjectManagement Division through

Keita Tanaka, co-locatedProject Manager Forward for MCAS Iwakuni, are good.“Communication gives us agreat footing,” Suther said. “Wemake sure Mark and Tanaka-san are incorporated. They are

plugged into future planningefforts to support a clear andconcise way ahead.”

Nedzbala said much of the challenge of coordinationis phasing work with on

going operations. “There isless difculty with tying inutilities and connecting with

existing infrastructure thanthere is coordinating roadclosures, one lane trafc, and

phasing different areas to keepthings in operation,” he said.Frequent coordination with Air Harbor Operations Division isnecessary when tall structuressuch as pile drivers and

reclamation barges must work near the aireld. Many of thosestructures are moved frequently.

“The project is phased ingeographic areas on a largescale, and then within thatthere are multiple contractsand concurrent work in eachof those where similar typesof work is happening in eachof the three phases, such asreclamation or pile driving,”

Nedzbala said. Much of

that coordination falls to thecivil engineer of the IRO,Construction Representative

Setsuharu Saito, who overseesmuch of the reclamation work.

“Because of the extentof the work and our smallstaff, we’ve organized bydiscipline,” Nedzbala said. “Wetry to assign and distribute thework based on strengths andexpertise.” Other members

of the IRO are ConstructionRepresentatives KyozoKawamoto, Noriyuki Mizuta,and Takashi Morimoto andAdministration Specialist GraceTanabe.

Mark said the complexityof IRRP is similar to buildinga base from scratch — anentire runway and taxiways,supporting buildings, utilitiesand infrastructure — but withthe added challenges of having

to rst create land where therewas sea.

Barges off load ll material into the Phase III area. The last ll material from Atago Mountain was placed on March 9. Theremaining ll material will be from islands in the Seto Inland Sea.

Work is proceeding on schedule as the Juliet Basin Berthing

Wharf project is widening the Tategami peninsula between IndiaBasin and Juliet Basin at Sasebo Navy Base.“This is the rst step of a major plan to improve the operation

of the port between SSK Sasebo Heavy Industries, the JapanMaritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Navy,” saidMartin Opitz, Japan Engineer District’s Sasebo Resident Engineer.“Eventually when it’s all done there will be more room for SSK todo their work and the Navy will have more berthing for its larger ships.” SSK is a major ship building and repair facility based inSasebo, Japan.

The Government of Japan funded Joint Facilities Improvement

Project is planned for completion in 2010. The contract award datefor the rst of six phases was March 2004.

Work to this point under the direction of the Fukuoka DefenseFacilities Administration Bureau and construction surveillanceof the Sasebo Resident Ofce, in particular ConstructionRepresentative Hiroshi Nagashima, has involved improvement of the seabed through the placement of 12,159 sand drain piles, 595sand compaction piles, 149 steel pipe piles, and 5,583 cement deepmixing piles, and the construction of the 500 meter long berthingwharf with a fender system, 100 ton mooring bollards, oil spill

booms, and a concrete apron.Presently Phase 3 and 4 work is ongoing, while work for Phases

5 and 6 are awaiting contract award, Opitz said.

Wharf improves base berthing




Korea Far East District - Job Shadowing works

Students get a taste of what engineers do

SEOUL — Seoul AmericanMiddle School eighth-gradersgot a real taste of what life of engineers might be like at theU. S. Army Corps of EngineersFar East District, Dec. 6.Four future engineers spent aday with FED engineers and

architects as part of their schoolcareer project.

“I’m interested inarchitecture so I chose FEDamong many other job eldsthat my “Career Pathways”teachers suggested. Themost popular choice of theclassmates was the hospital or computer related jobs, though,”said Yoonju Lee, one of four students who participated in a

job-shadowing at FED. “I think it is wonderful to meet and talk with people actually working inthe eld of my interest. I reallyenjoy it.”

This is the rst year thatFED supported the job-shadowing program of SeoulAmerican Middle School.This program is designed tohelp students explore certain

professions of their interest andget a glimpse of what it takes toget there.

The rst stop for thestudents was an FED classroomwhere they were briefedand shown actual picturesof ongoing and completedconstruction projects by thedistrict commander.

“What you are going tosee today is going to be a realgood representation of what

engineers do,” said Col. JaniceL. Dombi, Far East Districtcommander. “Engineers areinvolved in a lot of differentthings. Maybe what you willsee today might spark your interest.”

After the commander’s brieng the students weredivided into two groups. Onegroup tailed after Doug Bliss,Chief of Geotechnical andEnvironmental EngineeringBranch and took a look atdifferent sections of the branch,and the other group teamed upwith the District’s architects.

“It is awesome,” said AaronGiddings after he checked outthe FED laboratories. “This isvery much like I’ve expectedand it is kind of cool.”

Students were not the onlyones who had fun; Bliss, theDistrict’s liaison to Seoul

AmericanMiddleSchool, alsoenjoyedhaving thestudentslearningaboutengineering.

“Weenjoyedhavingstudents

over toour ofce,learningabout whatwe do asengineers,”saidBliss. Hecontinuedsaying thathe would

be glad if the kids’ interest inthe engineering professionincreases from the visit.

In the afternoon the studentswent out to the eld. Theyvisited FED’s Hospital ResidentOfce and took a look atvarious drawings used for theconstruction of 121st CombatSupport Hospital beforethey went to look around theconstruction site.

“These drawings are plans for what we’re goingto build. A guy working theconstruction can sit and look atthe drawings rather than callingan architect and asking —whatdo you want me to do here?,”said Norman Boeman, DeputyHRO resident ofcer.

Giddings whose father works at the 121st HospitalPharmacy got more excitedabout the tour than any other

student.“It is interesting to look for

the pharmacy section wheremy dad is working in thedrawings because I’ve not beento my dad’s work place,” saidGiddings.

Giddings and his friendscould not visit the Pharmacyunfortunately, but instead theylooked around the nish work of the emergency department,which is scheduled for completion January 2007.

“I became more deeplyinterested in engineering after I looked at all the maps and

prints,” wrote Louis Ji in histhank you letter to FED. “Ilearned a lot and had a goodtime after looking at the specialsteps that engineers take to

build a building.”

By Kim Chong-yunU.S. Army Corps of EngineersFar East District

A group of Seoul American Middle School students tour around the 121st Combat Support Hospital construction site in Yongsan during the job-shadowing day.




SEOUL — U. S. ArmyCorps of Engineers Far EastDistrict hosted a Republic of Korea Ministry of NationalDefense Exchange Trainingcourse at the FED compound,

Nov. 6 through Dec. 15. Thisannual program began in 1986and has served as a bridge

between FED and MND for more than 20 years.

This year MND selectedten students, three military

personnel and seven civiliansfor the six-week training.The students are from theROK Navy and Air Force,MND Defense InstallationsAgency and the MND MilitaryReformation and PlanningOfce.

“As FED executes theYongsan Relocation andLand Partnership Plan

programs in addition to the

ongoing Combined DefenseImprovement Projects andROK Funded Construction-in-kind programs, it will be vitalfor FED to work with MNDcounterparts as one team,”said Samuel S. Yang, Host

Nation Program Manager of FED’s Programs and ProjectManagement Division (PPMD).“The training MND employeesreceive from FED will helpthem understand how the

District operates its business,and it will establish goodworking relationships betweenFED and MND which will bevery valuable to both parties.”

Since the purpose of thistraining is to help the ROK MND engineers understandFED’s business and decision-making processes, the trainingcovers almost all aspects of

FED business. It includes theDistrict’s project executionoperationssuch as

planning,design,construction,contracting,safety andqualityassurance.

“I’ve beenwonderinghow FED

process programsand projects.This is a greatchance tolearn aboutFED andit is reallyhelpful,” said Kim Yeon-jik,

MND DIA.After the orientation and

overviewon the rstday of thetraining, the

participantswere

briefed bytheir FEDcounterpartsfrom thevariousdivisionsand ofces.Startingwith PPMD,the trainingcovered theConstructionDivision, theContracting

Ofce, the Engineering

Division and the Safety Ofce.“All the courses are very

helpful. I really enjoyed thisgreat chance to learn aboutFED. Especially I liked thecourse Geotechnical andEnvironmental EngineeringBranch provided. It wasvery practical. Not like other courses mostly done at theclassroom, the Geotech Branch

provided us a chance to tour around laboratories in the FEDcompound and go out to a work site. It was very helpful,” saidROK Air Force Lt. Col. KimKwang-seop.

This year’s class is arefresher for Kim. Kim took theMND exchange training threeyears ago but volunteered to

Ministry of National Defense exchange trainees learnthe business procedures of the Far East District

The Well Section team, the Far East District Geotechnical and Environmental Branch, performsannual preventive well maintenance while Republic of Korean Ministry of National Defenseexchange trainees look on.

“As FED executes theYongsan Relocationand Land PartnershipPlan programs inaddition to the ongoing Combined DefenseImprovement Projectsand ROK Funded Construction-in-kind

programs, it will be vital for FED to work withMND counterparts asone team.”

--Samuel S. Yang,

Continued on page 22

By Kim Chong-yunU.S. Army Corps of EngineersFar East District




Trainees learn the business

Continued from page 21

take the course again this year. Kim said hewanted to see the changes and developmentof FED’s business procedures as the Korearelocation program moves forward.

On the rst day of the training allotted

to the Geotech Branch, students watchedsoil a sampling video in the morningsession and then headed off to the HanRiver to get a rst hand look at the wellmaintenance activity. The FED WellSection consisting of 13 employeestakes care of wells in all U.S. militaryinstallations peninsula-wide. There are20 wells in the Han River area only andthey provide water to military facilities inYongsan. One of the well teams preformedannual preventive well maintenance whileMND students looked on.

“The FED Well Section works ingroups. Each and every team works in afamily-like environment and we have a

pride that we are the best team,” said O.Chin-Sok, a Well Section chief. O

says the FED well team is unrivaledand will play a key role as U. S. ForcesKorea executes the relocation to CampHumphreys. He explained to the group howFED drills additional wells and maintains

them to meet peacetime and contingencywater use requirements.

The next day MND groups lookedaround FED’s three testing labs: theMaterials Testing Lab, the Asbestos Laband the Chemistry lab.

“All three labs in the district are fully

accredited. The Materials Testing Lab is theone rst validated by the USACE MaterialTesting Center in 2003. The accreditation

process was not easy but the accreditationhelped lab employees provide qualityservices to our customers with pride,” saidYun Yong-han, Materials Testing Lab civilengineer.

The Chemistry Lab acquired validationin 2004 and the Asbestos Lab wasaccredited in 2005.

“I was very impressed by the professionalism of FED labs,” Han Jang-su, MND DIA. “DIA also has a lab but it isonly for the materials testing. I haven’t seenan asbestos lab before. It is very impressivethat FED spends so much time and effortfor environmental issues and safety.”

What made this year’s training differentfrom previous ones is that trainees spentmore time visiting construction sites. As thelast part of the training, trainees spent threedays at Pyongtaek Resident Ofce. They

learned what the roles and responsibilitiesof the resident ofces are.

“FED resident ofces seem like another small FED. They are organized in thesimilar manner as the FED is organized,”said ROK Navy Capt. Choe Tae-min. “Irealized how important the role of quality

assurance representatives is. They are theones who are on the construction job siteseveryday and work with contractors toensure they work in full compliance withthe contract specications and drawings.This visit to the resident ofce will help mea lot when I work with contractors in thefuture. ”

MND trainees observed the QARsconducting preparatory inspection andvisited Camp Humphreys Family Housing

projects sites. On their way back to Seoul,they also stopped at Osan Air Base andlooked around aircraft shelters and OsanFamily Housing.

“I’d like to thank Sam Yang and allthe FED team members who helped makethis a valuable experience,” said Lt. Col.Kim. “This program contributed greatly to

promoting and improving communicationand good working relationships betweenROK MND team members and their FEDcounterparts.”

Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp passes the Corps colors toCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Winzenried during an Assumptionof Command ceremony.

Lt. Gen.Robert L. Van Antwerp became the 52nd Chief of Engineers and Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers today. He assumed this position from Lieutenant General Carl A. Strock who has retired after 36 years of military service.

General Van Antwerp has taken charge of the nation’sleading public engineering agency. The Corps plans, designs,

builds and operates water resources projects. The Corps alsodesigns and manages military facilities construction for the

Army and Air Force at home and abroad and provides designand construction management support for other Defense and

federal agencies. In addition, the Corps cleans hazardousareas across the Nation through the Formerly Used Defense

Sites program and the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program and conducts state of the art engineering researchand design at its Engineer Research and Development Center.(Photo by F.T. Eyre, HECSA)

Lt. Gen Van Antwerp assumes command




Jane Y. Shimonishi, Executive Support Specialistretires after 45 years of federal service

After 45 years of federal service,Jane Y. Shimonishi retired. She beganher Federal career on June 18, 1963 as aClerk-Stenographer, GS-4, in the SchoeldBarracks Post Commander’s Ofce. Shewas promoted to a Secretary (Steno), GS-5, in May 1968, working for the AdjutantGeneral’s Ofce, U.S. Army StrategicCommunications Command, Pacic

(STRATCOM-PAC) and then promoted toa Secretary (Steno), GS-7, in November 1970, working for the Deputy Commander at STRATCOM-PAC.

She faced many challenges due to areduction-in-force in October 1977 beforeaccepting a position as a Secretary (Steno)for the Assistant Division Commander of the Pacic Ocean Division (POD) andCommander of the Honolulu Engineer District, on March 16, 1980, when PODwas an operating division.

She was hired by then Col. (P) Arthur E.Williams on September 6, 1987, who later

became the USACE Chief of Engineers.The highlight of her career was servingthe following POD Commanders fromSeptember 6, 1987 through March 16,2007:

Lt. Gen. (USA Ret.) Arthur E.Williams July 1987 – Aug. 1989

Col. (USA Ret) Jack H. CliftonAug. 1989 – Dec. 1989

MG (USA Ret) Clair F. GillDec. 1989 – Aug. 1991

COL (USA Ret) Leonard G. HassellAug. 1991 – Jan. 1992

BG (USA Ret) Ralph V. Locurcio

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Jan. 1992 – Jul. 1994BG (USA Ret) Henry S. Miller, Jr.

July 1994 – Aug. 1995COL (USA Ret) Robin R. Cababa

Aug. 1995 – Aug. 1997LTG Carl A. Strock, Aug. 1997 – July

1999MG Randal R. Castro, Aug. 1999

– July 2001MG Ronald L. Johnson, July 2001

– July 2003BG (USA Ret) Robert L. Davis, July

2003 – July 2005BG John W. Peabody, July 2005-

Present

Jane ofcially retired on January 3,2007 with 45 years of service, but workedthrough March 16, 2007 to assist in thetransition of the POD Executive Ofce.

Jane attended the College of Commerceand graduated with a degree in SecretarialScience in 1962.

Born in Wahiawa, Jane and her husband, Fred, have two children, Sterlingand Stacy and a granddaughter, Celine.

Jane says she plans to travel and relax.

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A retirement luncheon was held for Jane Shimonishi on April 5, 2007 at the Honolulu Country Club.

In attendance were past Divisioncommanders, Maj. Gen. Ronald R.Castro and Lt. Gen. Carl A. Strock (now retired). Castro is now the

Deputy Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Lt. Gen. Strock is the outgoing Chief of Engineers.

At the luncheon, Jane was presented numerous gifts to includea photograph of Palm Circle with amontage of Division commanders

for whom she has served.From left to right, Fred Shimonishi,

Maj. Gen. Castro, Jane Shimonishi, Lt. Gen. Strock and Brig. Gen. John Peabody, the current Divisioncommander. (Photo by Bill Erwin)



Army Strong - Engineer Ready

Pacic Ocean Division

Pacic Ocean DivisionU.S. Army Corps of EngineersBldg. 525 Rm. 326Fort Shafter, Hawaii 96858-5440

Ofcial Business

Frank Oliva retires after 40 years with the U.S. Army Corps of EngineersFrank Oliva, Director of Regional Business for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pacic Ocean Division at Fort Shafter retired in

April after 40 years of federal service.Oliva began his career with the Corps of Engineers in 1970 with the New York District of the Corps of Engineers. He transferred to

the Middle East Division in 1973 where he managed the programing, master planning, design and construction planning of a multi-billiondollar military school for the Saudi ArabianMinistry of Defense.

In 1981 he was assigned to the Corps’ MissileConstruction ofce at Norton Air force Base,California where he helped create an organizationto design facilities for the MX Missile project. In1983 he transferred to Corps headquarters and

became Program Manager for the Corps’ Armyconstruction program in Europe. In 1986, asChief of the Engineering Management Branch, he

managed the development of Corps-wide designcriteria, cost estimating policy and engineeringcomputer applications. He was named DeputyChief of Engineering in January 1990. He heldthat position until February 1996 when he enteredthe Senior Executive Service and joined the NorthAtlantic Division.

Mr. Oliva became the Director of RegionalBusiness for the Pacic Ocean Division in 2004.Prior to that he had been director of the CivilWorks and Technical Directorate since April 2000.

For the past three years Oliva has directed astaff of professional engineers who managed and

assured quality in the planning, engineering and construction of the Pacic Ocean Division’s $1.4 billion worth of programs and provideregional support for all districts in contracting, information management, logistics and public affairs.

Frank Oliva is presented the Silver de Fluery by Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, during anawards ceremony in April at the gazebo on Palm Circle. (Photo by Joe Bonglio)

us army: pe-winter-spring-2007

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