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CONSTELL ATIO N
CONSTELLATION
A publication of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
Volume 37, Number 8 Oct/Nov 2011
Corps, local partners team together to combat record flooding
By Ashley Williams
Public Affairs Office
I
n September, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers flood
risk management projects in
northeastern Pennsylvania proved
their worth after being tested by
record flooding. On the heels of
Hurricane Irene, which passed
through the region in late August,
Tropical Storm Lee drenched the
region, causing the Susquehanna
River to overflow its banks, flood
neighboring towns and test the
Wyoming Valley Levee System at
Citizens of Sunbury, Pa., decorated a portion of the floodwall after it
unprecedented levels. Combined,
successfully protected them and their homes as part of the Wyoming Valley
the projects prevented more than
Levee System, Sept. 11. -- USACE courtesy photo
$4 billion in damages.
Experts from the Corps what it was designed to do – the entire project is approximately
responded to the heavy flooding protect lives and property,” said $250 million.
by deploying a team to Wilkes- Baltimore District Commander Through fiscal 2010, the project
Barre, Pa., one of the towns Col. Dave Anderson. “It has prevented an estimated $3.6
protected by the Wyoming definitely withstood some wear billion in damages, and played
Valley Levee System, to provide and tear, but it performed exactly a pivotal role in protecting the
technical support to Luzerne how it was designed to perform.” cities along the banks of the
County Flood Protection The Wyoming Valley Levee Susquehanna River during this
Authority throughout the record- System, originally constructed historic flooding.
setting event, Sept. 8-10. in 1936, consists of three levee “I commend Governor Corbett
“We are extremely appreciative systems at Plymouth, Kingston- and the Luzerne County Flood
of the relationship with the Corps Exeter, and Wilkes-Barre-Hanover Protection Authority for their
of Engineers, especially during Township. The levees extend for proactive preparations for this
this historic event,” said Executive approximately 15 miles with 13 storm, and for their partnership
Director of the Luzerne County storm water pump stations. throughout the historic event,”
Flood Protection Agency (LCFPA) In 1972, Tropical Storm said Anderson.
Jim Brozena. “Their rapid Agnes drenched Pennsylvania,
response was pivotal in helping resulting in overtopped levees WATCHING THE WATER RISE
this region respond to the flood and approximately $1 billion in Leading up to and during the
event.” damages. In response, the Corps event, Baltimore District’s water
improved the levee project to control team monitored water
THE SYSTEM provide Agnes-level protection. levels along the Susquehanna
The river gage in Wilkes-Barre All 15 miles of levees and River, its tributaries and Corps-
recorded 42.66 feet of water at floodwalls were raised three to managed dams. The team used
the peak of the high water event, five feet and the storm water stream gages, weather and flood
a full 1.75 feet higher than 1972’s pump stations were modified. forecasts from the National
Tropical Storm Agnes, which The levee raising portion of the Weather Service, and information
reached 40.91 feet. project was completed on Jan. 14, received from dam operators in
“The levee system did exactly 2003. The total projected cost of
Continued on page 4
Commander’s Comment
2011: Looking Back and Looking Ahead
By Col. Dave Anderson
Baltimore District Engineer world-class research facilities, Throughout the flooding, our
intelligence and analytical centers, experts were on the ground,
Wow, what a year! and valuable service centers and providing valuable support to
facilities that will improve the our partners to help ensure the
Looking back, I will quality of life for our Service safety of the many communities
remember Fiscal Year (FY) members and their families for behind our dams and 56.7 miles of
2011 as an incredible period years to come. I could not be Federal levees across the state.
of accomplishment and more proud of the investment Overall, Baltimore District
transformation for the Baltimore of time, energy, expertise and executed more than $2.3
District. We were moving at attention to detail that each of you billion across all business
lightning speed to get to the has made to help build our Nation lines and reached several key
end of some of the Corps’ most and military stronger than ever milestones throughout our
historic missions, while also before. region. Among them included
adapting to our Nation’s changing Just as we were hitting the the implementation of a
economic climate. Now that the home stretch of BRAC, and the Maryland Regional General
dust has settled and we flip our frantic moments that come with Permit for Oyster Aquaculture,
calendars to 2012, let’s step back the end of a fiscal year (not to the signing of the Pennsylvania
and take in the view of all that we mention an earthquake!), we State Programmatic Permit -4 to
accomplished in FY11. were also hit with two storms: streamline the permit process
Perhaps the most obvious Hurricane Irene and Tropical in Pennsylvania, and reaching
place to start is the successful Storm Lee. Irene grazed the an agreement with the State of
completion of an historic, Eastern Shore of Maryland, but Maryland to study the sources
five-year, $4.2 billion Base tested our Atlantic Coast project of sediment that are building up
Realignment and Closure (BRAC) in Ocean City, Md., leaving many behind several dams on the lower
mission. Talk about a period of residents and businesses thankful Susquehanna River.
high tempo! Pushing this mission for the work we did to bring that Our Real Property Services
across the finish line required project to their city. While Lee Field Office (RSFO), which
the collective efforts of our entire may only have been categorized manages design construction for
workforce, from construction to as a tropical storm, its persistent Department of Defense customers,
engineering to contracting and and slow moving rain bands executed another stellar program
customer support across the caused record-setting flooding over more than $839 million.
board. No matter how steep the throughout central Pennsylvania Among their impressive list of
challenges or far the setbacks, we where the Susquehanna River highlights includes managing the
got it done…and done well. By reached a record 42.66 feet $1.2 billion Utah Data Center that
the time the clock struck midnight through Wilkes-Barre, surpassing will help our military to address
on Sept. 15, 2011, we proudly the previous record of 40.91 feet threats to our Nation’s cyber
said, “Mission accomplished!” during Tropical Storm Agnes in infrastructure. They also awarded
We delivered cutting-edge labs, June 1972. critical projects in Maryland and
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Constellation is an unofficial publication authorized under the provisions
Baltimore District of AF 360-1 and published monthly by the Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, Md.
CONSTELLATION 21203-1715, telephone (410) 962-2809, fax (410) 962-3660. It is printed
District Engineer: Col. David Anderson on recycled paper with a press run of 800. All manuscripts submitted
Public Affairs Officer: Chris Augsburger are subject to editing and rewriting. Material from this publication
Editor: Clem Gaines may be reproduced without permission. Views and opinions are not
Contributors: Stacy Ouellette and Ashley Williams necessarily those of the Department of the Army. Send story ideas to
Layout and Design: David Gray and Mikell Moore constellationeditor@usace.army.mil. Deadline is the third Friday of each
month for the following month’s publication.
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
2 CONSTELLATION
Oct/Nov 2011
Around the District
Virginia to include the North testing of a $110 million Residuals build our Nation will continue
Campus Substation ($126 million), Management project, which will with rigor. Baltimore District’s
the Research and Engineering eliminate the need to discharge Military Program is forecasted
Building Chiller Plant Upgrade water treatment residuals to the at $406.5 million, with highly
($36 million), Phase 1 of the Potomac River for disposal, has visible projects including the
Intelligence Community Campus begun in preparation for start-up Army Forces Command battalion
($40 million) as well as numerous in early 2012. headquarters at Aberdeen
projects located throughout While our team was busy Proving Grounds, the Defense
Maryland, Virginia, Texas and on the home front, 26 of our Distribution Center headquarters,
Colorado. colleagues deployed overseas in a water treatment plant at Fort
In support of the District’s our continued support to overseas Detrick, Md., and the applied
tremendous workload, contingency operations, with an instruction facility at Fort Meade,
Contracting Division executed additional 23 employees who Md., among others.
7,556 contract actions totaling deployed Nationwide to support We will soon complete the
more than $980 million. Federal Emergency Management Oyster Restoration Master Plan
The Washington Aqueduct Agency response efforts. Our and push forward on important
produced 51.5 billion gallons communications capabilities are design agreements for Mid-
of high quality drinking water key components of our response Bay Island and the expansion
for three wholesale customers efforts, and at Indian Rock of Poplar Island, all of which
and spent $40 million to operate Dam our Operations Division will help rebuild important
and maintain the Dalecarlia partnered with the Emergency ecosystems throughout the
and McMillan plants upholding Operations Center to help build Chesapeake Bay.
our relatively low water rate a new facility to house two While we look forward to
as compared to utilities across vehicles of the Corps’s fleet of tackling the challenges that lay
the Nation. Additionally, they Deployable Tactical Operations before us, we are comforted in
executed $39 million in capital Systems, including an Emergency knowing that the District has the
improvements to include Command and Control Vehicle right people, with the right skills
completing a $21 million project to and a Mobile Communications and talents, to get it done, and
convert from using pure chlorine Vehicle. done the right way. Thank you all
gas to sodium hypochlorite As we look forward toward for everything you do!
for disinfection, a significantly another exciting year in 2012,
safer process. Moving forward, our missions to support and FY 2012, here we come!
Honoring, recognizing current quarter Federal observances
Hispanic American Heritage Month National Disability Employment Native American Heritage Month
September 15-October 15 Awareness Month November
October
CONSTELLATION
Oct/Nov 2011 3
Around the District
Continued from page 1
order to strategically manage
releases from the dams. The goal
is to reduce downstream flood
peaks by storing water during the
period of greatest flow and slowly
releasing it after the flood crest
has passed.
“We monitor reservoir and
river levels before, during and
after an event,” said Julia Fritz,
Baltimore District water resources
section chief. “When rivers rise
and forecast exceeds the flood
stage, we will close the outlet
gates at the dams.”
This process includes close (r to l) Ben Fedor, Baltimore District civil engineering chief, and Structural
coordination with dam operators Engineer Rich Ludwitzke, assess a floodwall during Tropical Storm Lee in
at Baltimore District projects. Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Sept. 8. -- Photo by Ashley Williams.
“The dam operators are critical
to the flood response,” said Fritz. York. This extensive network performance.
“The water control team makes of reservoirs and dams in “Patrols are conducted to look
the decisions, but they are the Pennsylvania and New York for any irregularities that may
ones on-site, making the gate helped reduce downstream compromise the project and so
changes and taking action as the flooding along the Susquehanna that in the event something is
reservoir level rises.” River. discovered, engineers can quickly
Gates were closed or In Wilkes-Barre, the Corps propose an interim solution,”
reduced to minimum releases worked in partnership with state said Ben Fedor, Baltimore District
at multiple dams in New York and local officials to provide civil engineering section chief.
and Pennsylvania during technical assistance and support. “Typically during patrols we
this event. Flood waters were Additionally, the Corps team look for cracking, tilting and soft
stored at Stillwater, Sayers, performed 24-hour levee patrols foundation conditions around the
Tioga-Hammond, Raystown, on projects experiencing high floodwall. We also look for boils
Cowanesque and Indian Rock in water, walking the levees and and properly working closure
P ennsylvania.; and East Sidney examining the flood walls and structures, drainage structures
and Whitney Point in New pump stations to ensure proper and pump stations. If an issue
arises, we are ready to react.”
FORTY-FORT
As the water continued to rise,
the Wyoming Valley levee system
began to show signs of wear,
particularly at two locations at
its section at Forty-Fort. Late in
the day Thursday, Sept. 8, the
patrol team discovered a series
of cracks in a floodwall at the
cemetery along River Street. The
wall in this location includes steel
Mericle Construction add fill material to the levee where boils threatened the sheet piling that extends into the
levee system in Forty-Fort, Pa., Sept. 8-9. -- Photo by Ashley Williams
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
4 CONSTELLATION
Oct/Nov 2011
Around the District
ground with a concrete facing noticed by local first responders were placed in an area more than
above ground. The cracking when they saw that a set of 100 feet wide.
wall, combined with soft ground grandstands at a local recreational “The area around the boils was
conditions at the landside base field had fallen over near the toe extremely unstable, but Mericle
of the wall, caused the team to be of the levee. safely and carefully performed
concerned that small movements A phone call to the Baltimore the work by pushing out the
of the wall system were beginning District Emergency Operations stone platform from nearby stable
to develop. Center prompted engineers to ground,” said Glock.
“As water rises on one side examine the scene, where they By noon on Friday, the field of
of the floodwall, it causes notice a field of boils that had boils had been eliminated, and
the floodwall to begin to developed and began eroding the engineers began watching the
bend back,” said Tony Vidal, ground near the toe of the levee. water recede on its way below
Baltimore District deputy chief of Boils occur when seepage of water flood stage.
engineering. from the river rapidly flows out of In the record-setting days since
Recognizing this danger, Corps the ground. This flow can carry the high water event, officials
engineers and representatives away soil from below the levee from the Corps and LCFPA
from the local flood protection possibly leading to eventual levee took an initial assessment and
authority quickly consulted on the collapse concluded that, despite the few
best way to ensure the continued “Walking on the grass [near troubled areas, the system did not
integrity of the wall, determining the boils] sort of felt like walking sustain any significant damage,
that a “stability berm” of crushed on a water bed, because soil due in part to the quick thinking
rock should be placed against underneath the turf had literally and cooperation among the
the landside of the wall. This liquefied,” said Jim Ludlam, one agencies.
berm would add support and of the Corps engineers onsite. “The Luzerne County
prevent further movement. Local Emergency officials coordinated Flood Protection Agency was
contractor, Mericle Construction with local law enforcement to exceptional in addressing any
Inc., immediately mobilized cordon off roadways and escort issue that arose,” said Anderson.
equipment, staff and truckloads of a steady stream of large “quarry “I am extremely proud of the
material to the area. type” dump trucks to the site, performance of our team and
In the darkness of night, the three-to-four at a time for the next helping this levee system done
contractor used flares to help four hours, according to Ludlam. what it’s supposed to do: hold
guide their trucks, carefully Contractors performed the work back the water.”
navigating through a cemetery, as dozens of truckloads of stone
where they dropped more than
500 tons of rock onsite. For the
next four hours, the contractor,
the LCFPA and Corps worked
through the night to buttress
the strength of the wall with an
approximate 30-foot wide berm
more than 100 feet along the wall,
finally finishing at around 2 a.m.
“The area was frequently
monitored through the remainder
of the flood event and was
a complete success,” said
Brian Glock, a Corps engineer
onsite who helped oversee the
operations.
At daybreak, a second trouble Local contractor, Mericle Construction, provides geo-textile material and
equipment to support the deteriorating levee in Forty-Fort, Pa., Sept. 8-9.
area appeared at Forty-Fort, first
Courtesy Photo
CONSTELLATION
Oct/Nov 2011 5
Around the District
District Engineer visits PSU, educates cadets on Corps
By Stacy Ouellette for an organization where you
Public Affairs Office and those with the Army Values,”
Anderson said. “You are then
A
rmy ROTC cadets received serving with people you can trust
some insight into what and whose values you share; that
it means to be an Army experience is truly awesome.”
engineer from someone who’s The university’s AROTC
lived it for the last 25 years. program was one of the first
Baltimore District Commander, participants in the Morrill Land
Col. Dave Anderson spoke about Grant Act of 1862, which offered
his career, the U.S. Army Corps Federal land to colleges in return
of Engineers and the District to 28 for college-sponsored military
cadets at Penn State, Oct. 3. training. Penn State’s AROTC
“It’s a huge Army, massive program has been part of the
Army and a really great place “You’re in this program to university since the founding in
to serve,” Anderson said. “It’s maximize leadership skills to lead 1855.
important regardless of what Soldiers in the future,” Anderson Currently, there are 330
branch you choose, to be a said. “It’s about being leaders for AROTC cadets at Penn State
technical expert and be expected the rest of your life and to make University home to the Nittany
to know stuff.” things better.” Lion Battalion. The unit has one
Anderson spoke personally While six cadets are pursuing company at State University Park,
about what being an Army officer degrees related to engineering, Hazleton, and Altoona campuses.
and engineer has meant to him Anderson reminded all to keep The battalion is one of 19
during a career that’s spanned learning from others and never participating battalions in the
across three decades. His fondest take for granted the opportunity Second “Liberty” Brigade,
memories were while he was to serve the Nation, in the military headquartered at Fort Dix, New
a platoon leader and company or as a civil servant. Jersey, and a member of the
commander. “There is nothing like working Eastern Region Cadet Command.
Team conducts training, deploys new DTOS in field exercise
In September, District employee
Mike Vaccaro deployed with
Dave Sowers, Mobile District,
for seven days in support of the
Federal Emergency Management
Agency’s operations to Lakehurst,
New Jersey.
Vaccaro and Sowers headed to
Pennsylvania to pick up the De-
ployable Tactical Operations Sys-
tem (DTOS) and within an hour
of arriving on the site, the vehicle
was fully functional. This was the
“maiden voyage” according to
Vaccaro as it the first deployment.
Deployable Tactical Operations
System (DTOS) provides mobile
command and control platforms
in support of the quick ramp-up
of initial emergency response
missions for the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers. DTOS is a system
designed to respond to District,
Division, National, and
international events. USACE Courtesy Photo
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
6 CONSTELLATION
Oct/Nov 2011
Around the District
District employee retires after serving five decades
They are trained to recognize and remove
something pretty dangerous called “munitions and
explosives of concern” or MEC. In recent years,
Wilken has been in the thick of tricky and high-
profile MEC missions cleaning up old, and inherently
unstable, munitions, often in very public places.
Starting in 2004, the Baltimore District had a
tough job in Delaware and New Jersey searching for
MEC items in complex and unexpected settings -
residential and business paved areas.
Another high-profile, and unexpected, project
came on the beach in Surf City, N.J. After a beach
replenishment project, MEC was found on top of and
John Wilken (left) deep within the new sand.
By Clem Gaines Wilken provided safety oversight for this project as
Public Affairs Office the entire amount of new sand was sifted to find and
remove munitions. The materials were taken by the
J
ohn Wilken began his service to this country McGuire Air Force Base Explosive Ordnance Device
before many of us were born. He started wearing team for disposal.
the uniform of a Navy enlisted person in 1955 and Wilken worked with the team to ensure that the
he retired in September after 56 years of service in clean-up mission was safe and totally complete so
and out of uniform. that the beach could be returned to the public.
“I went to Navy basic training two weeks after On Sept.28, his longtime Corps friends and
high school graduation in 1955,” Wilken said. It was colleagues threw him a retirement party, complete
the start of a successful career. with a personal slide presentation.
He served three tours in Vietnam and later became While it was like many of these events (balloons,
the lead instructor at the Navy EOD school at Indian cake, “Do you remember when John” anecdotes),
Head, Md. He concluded his service in 1991 as the there was a unique poignancy to this event. He
Command Senior Chief at Mare Island in northern described his coworkers as family.
California, and stayed there to begin his civilian Maj. Tom Piazze, deputy District Engineer for
service. Support Operations, brought personal greetings
From the day he took his oath of enlistment until from Col. Dave Anderson, Commander and
now, the words explosives and safety were the District Engineer, who was unable to attend, and
key descriptions in his military service and civilian he presented the retirement certificate. He was also
positions. In addition, due to his work with specific presented with an Engineering Division Certificate of
explosive devices, he held a Top Secret security Excellence.
clearance. By his own description, he was happiest out on a
“Every job was different. I treated every piece job site, finding and removing unexploded ordnance
of scrap as live munitions until it was proven or UXO. In his Baltimore District service, he was
otherwise,” he said. involved in numerous high-profile, and successful,
In 1997, he began working for the Corps of UXO recovery and clean-up projects. For his decades
Engineers at the Rock Island District and he came to of service, in uniform and out, the District wishes
Baltimore District in October 2001. John well as he moves into retirement.
When you know the Engineering Division office He said he will miss Nancy Hammond, “the best
where he worked, you realize that the environmental supervisor I ever had”, and the work, but mostly the
and explosive safety section workers do not spend a people.
whole lot of time behind a desk.
CONSTELLATION
Oct/Nov 2011 7
Around the District
Washington Aqueduct hosts international, Army unit tours
delivered to their homes by way
of distribution pipes as compared
to $3 to $4 a gallon of bottled
water.
“Tours provide an excellent
opportunity to educate the public
on the Washington Aqueduct’s
expertise in carrying out the water
treatment mission and share
information with other water
professionals.”
Tour groups come from
many different places – schools,
universities, professional
organizations and associations,
other utilities, the Army and the
A group of international visitors from seven countries of the former Soviet Corps of Engineers and even from
Union pose for a photo with Tom Jacobus, General Manager, during their tour foreign countries.
this summer. --USACE photo by Stacy Ouellette Twenty-two Soldiers from
Headquarters, 249th Prime Power
By Patricia Gamby Most people in the U.S. take Battalion visited the facilities in
Washington Aqueduct safe water for granted. The September as part of leadership
Deputy Manager average citizen is unaware of the development exercise.
T
he Washington Aqueduct carefully controlled processes and Jacobus, a retired Army
has a daily mission to extensive monitoring needed to colonel, values the opportunity to
provide potable water to produce a high quality product contribute to the development of
the District of Columbia and used for drinking, bathing, our future military leaders. He
Arlington County and Falls washing and other purposes. said
Church, VA. “Communicating with the “It was a valuable learning
Most people would not think public is particularly important experience for the Soldiers and
about water treatment as a to the mission,” Jacobus said. a valuable experience for me, as
particularly exciting field, yet “We need to educate people so well. I always gain something
for more than 300 visitors who that they get an understanding from interacting with the groups–
have toured the facilities this year of the treatment process and, a new perspective, an intriguing
alone, it is absolutely fascinating. more importantly, see that testing idea, an insightful observation
Thomas Jacobus, General the quality of the water at every and even inspiration.”
Manager, oversees the step along the way ensures that Earlier this year the Washington
Washington Aqueduct operations they can have confidence in the Aqueduct hosted a delegation
and all activities supporting the safety and quality of the water we of 18 professionals representing
operation. deliver.” seven countries of the former
“We produce and deliver safe, Another point that most Soviet Union: Armenia,
high-quality potable water to people tend to overlook is how Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyz
meet demand every hour of every inexpensive public water supply Republic, Moldova, Tajikistan and
day, every day of every month is in comparison to bottled water. Ukraine.
and every month of every year,” It costs Washington Aqueduct’s
Jacobus said. “Failure is not an consumers approximately 1 cent
option.” per gallon for water conveniently
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
8 CONSTELLATION
Oct/Nov 2011
Safety and Wellness
Defensive Driving: protecting yourself, others on the road
By John Houvener
Safety and Occupational Health Office
D
efensive driving is driving to prevent
accidents IN SPITE of other unskilled drivers What to do if you are in an accident in a GOV:
or drivers who ignore traffic regulations; as
well as unpredictable pedestrians; bad weather; 1. If there are injuries, seek medical help immedi-
and equipment failures. ALWAYS ANTICIPATE ately
problems as far ahead as possible and
Watch out for the other guy (or gal) 2. Notify local authorities. Appropriate police must
investigate all GOV accidents
Although the Baltimore District has had no serious
injuries from government operated vehicles (GOV) 3. Notify your supervisor as soon as possible.
accidents in a few years, automobiles are the num- Supervisor must notify their Division Chief who in
ber one cause of work related deaths. More than half turn will notify the District Engineer and the Safety
of the total reports of work related accidents in the Office.
U.S. were vehicle accidents. The accidents that we
have experienced over the last few years had many 4. Complete the Standard Form-91, Operator’s Re-
different causes. Some of the causes include: back- port of Motor Vehicle Accident
ing up into stationary object; pulling out on a blind
corner; hitting deer; vehicles being struck by other 5. If someone is injured or the damage to the vehicle
drivers; and driving too fast. Although some of the exceeds $2000, complete the ENG Form 3394 (Report
accidents were not the employees’ fault, most of the of Accident/Illness) and submit to the Safety Office
accidents could have been avoided. Supervisors and within 5 working days (copy goes to Logistics Of-
employees at all levels must increase driving safety fice)
awareness. There are some things to pay attention
to and/or avoid helping reduce the chances of ac- 6. If injured, the employee and his/her supervi-
cidents. sor must complete Form CA-1, Federal Employee’s
Notice of Traumatic Injury and Request for Continu-
The Top Five DRIVER DISTRACTIONS Are: ation of
Pay. This form is completed online (contact HR for
1. Rubbernecking guidance)
2. Driver fatigue
3. Cell phone use October is National Fire Safety Month. Here are
4. Passenger distractions (child) some tips to ensure that your work station is safe.
5. Adjusting radio/CD In your office area check to confirm:
Tips to ARRIVE ALIVE…. • You understand the building evacuation plan and
what to do in case of a fire
• Avoid distractions. • Extension cords are not used in place of perma-
• Don’t drive when you are overtired, nent wiring.
• Check the road ahead: always leave yourself an • Surge suppressors are used for computer circuits.
out. • Lights/Lamps are clear of combustible materials.
• Don’t follow too close, stay back and get the big • Heat producing appliances are clear of combus-
picture. tibles.
• Always wear your seatbelt. • Materials are not stored in front of electrical pan-
• Drive defensively: Watch out for the other guy. els.
• Slow down: adjust to changing weather and road
conditions.
• Use your headlights to make yourself more visible
to others.
• Maintain the appropriate speed.
CONSTELLATION
Oct/Nov 2011 9
District Digest
Combined Federal Campaign kicks-off, needs donors
By Stacy Ouellette ing that we are not alone in our per pledge. This is similar to the
Public Affairs Office challenges and hope in knowing Kennedy Society pledging, yet
E
that work is being done to offer pledges must equal $750 or more
very year, employees of all solutions.” to join the Kennedy Society.
Federal government offices As the only authorized work- Pledging $750 or more will
are able to make a difference place giving campaign for Federal result in the donor receiving the
in the world by donating employees, Sakin is certain there lapel pin. Pledging $1,500 or
to the Combined Federal is an organization from the 4,000 more will result in the receipt of
Campaign(CFC). to suit all contribution needs. the Kennedy Society coin and la-
This year marks the fiftieth This year’s CFC committee has pel pin. Only those pledging $750
anniversary of President John F. planned a variety of fundrais- or more become members of the
Kennedy signing the executive ers events including free coffee Kennedy Society.
order establishing the CFC. Still breaks, raffles and a roving bakery “In the face of our nation’s
today, many organizations are in cart to help the Baltimore District uncertain economic times, let us,
need of support to continue serv- surpass last year’s goals. the Baltimore District, be commit-
ing others. This year the goal is to at least ted to the rock solid certainty of
“I am sure everyone, at one match last year’s contributions of charitable giving and turn to each
time or another has been aware or $90,000 and strive for a 50 percent other for inspiration,” said Sakin.
has experienced the comfort and participation in celebration of this Please see your CFC represen-
hope that charity can provide,” legacy year. tative or visit www.cabcfc.org to
said Robin Sakin, real estate divi- Participants will receive a res- make a pledge.
sion and CFC committee coordi- taurant gift certificate by pledging
nator. “There is comfort in know- $50 or more, one per person, not
District project protects Ocean City citizens, property
Following Hurricane Irene,
Baltimore District Com-
mander Col. Dave Anderson
and Project Manager Kevin
Brennan visited Ocean City,
Md. on Aug. 28 to conduct a
preliminary assessment of the
Atlantic Coast of Maryland
Hurricane Shoreline Protec-
tion Project.
The project played a sig-
nificant role in preventing
damages from the effects of
Hurricane Irene. The project,
completed in 1991 at a cost of
$42 million, includes a con-
crete-capped sheetpile bulk-
head, 3.6 million cubic yards
of sand, and a vegetated sand
dune.
The Baltimore District pro-
vides beach re-nourishment
every four years, with the
most recent re-nourishment
ending in May 2011. -- Photo
by Ashley Williams
10 CONSTELLATION http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
Oct/Nov 2011
District Digest
“Building Strong” on the personal level, supporting OCO
By Mark Ray
AED South Public Affairs Office
T
he U.S. Corp of Engineers
is building a lot of big
projects in Afghanistan,
which we hope will make a big
difference in the lives of many
Afghans. Many Corps personnel
find ways to make a difference
on a more personal level as well.
Two Corps personnel at Forward
Operating Base Farah took a
personal interest in the children
at a local orphanage, and made
a big impression with some help
from donations by their friends
and families back home. Ashley Kosmal distributes school supplies to Afghan children at the orphan-
Good will came in the form age in Farah, Afghanistan. Kosmal, the senior civilian engineer at the Farah
of balls, pencils, notebooks and Area Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer-
other toys and school supplies, District South, worked with Petty Officer 2nd Class Derek Brewer, the senior
when two U.S. Army Corps noncommissioned officer at the area office, to collect school supplies and
of Engineers team members toys for children at the orphanage. (DoD Photo by Senior Airman Alexandra
visited an orphanage in Farah, Hoachlander)
Afghanistan on Sept. 17, bringing
with them donations from friends
and family in the United States. a lot of the buildings in the city.” laughing and knowing that I was
Ashley Kosmal, the senior The children at the orphanage making a difference in their lives,
civilian engineer at the Farah were surprised and happy when even if it was just for one day.”
Area Office of the U.S. Army Kosmal and Brewer arrived “It’s great knowing you’re
Corps of Engineers Afghanistan with their security team and a helping to brighten a young
Engineer District South, and Petty photographer, the pair said. child’s future, with the necessary
Officer 2nd Class Derek Brewer, “They were all sitting looking tools to do so,” Brewer added.
the senior non-commissioned at the teacher with empty desks,” “I do believe we are making a
officer at the office, worked with Brewer said. “They had no school difference for the next generation
family and friends in the United supplies of any kind. They all of Afghans.”
States for months to gather the eagerly raised their hands to Brewer and Kosmal are both
toys and school supplies. get notebooks. And they were leaving Afghanistan soon, but
“We took soccer balls, footballs, fascinated by our body amour and both plan to continue to work
basketballs, Frisbees, crayons, high-tech cameras.” with charities at their home
pencils, notebooks, erasers, pencil “It was such a good feeling to stations.
sharpeners, folders, coloring do something for these children. And they will leave with the
books, and paper.” Brewer said. One of the reasons I was excited to satisfaction of knowing they have
“The majority of the donations go was to interact with the girls,” helped build the infrastructure to
came from our families and Kosmal said. “Knowing how help Afghanistan become a more
friends.” difficult things can be for woman stable country and that they have
“There are 170 kids at the in Afghanistan, I was excited made a personal difference to the
orphanage, mainly boys.” for them to see a woman as an children at the Farah orphanage.
Kosmal added. “They kept it equal with her peers. When I was
very clean and the buildings were passing out things to the kids, it
in nice condition compared with was great to see them smiling and
CONSTELLATION
Oct/Nov 2011
11
Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Baltimore District
P.O. Box 1715
Baltimore, MD 21203-1715
O fficial Business
Baltimore Newsmakers
Printed on recycled paper
Congratulations to… Ayesha Bonnette (EN) on retiree Charles Williams on his passing; Amy Yale
the birth of her daughter, Khameel Williams; Bill (RSFO) on the passing of her sister-in-law.
Ferrier (SA) for becoming an Associate Safety
Professional (ASP) and Brian Cantu (SA) for Welcome to ...Jasper Burton, Anh Dalton, Olufemi
completing the requirements for certification as Sonde, Ian Williams, (RSFO); two new PMs on
a Construction Health and Safety Technician; developmental assignments in PPMD (Civil)
Justin (OP) and Katrina Green on the birth of (Rolando Sanidad from EN-Military Design
their son, Henry; Jennifer Gross (PL) on her Branch and Robert Wright from PPMD-Belvoir
recent marriage; Dave Robbins (PL) and his wife IPO); David Fergerson, Michael Grzesiak and
on the birth of their baby daughter; Tim Smay Mona Okhovat-Yazdi(WA).
(OP) at Curwensville Lake on the birth of his son
Cooper; Steve Yale (APG IPO) on the birth of his Special Thanks…“In spite of the terrible things
daughter Charlotte. Congratulations to Dan Noble, that happened to us on August 25th, we appreciate
Engineering Division, Alan Andrysiak, PPMD and and are comforted by the tremendous amount of
Patrick Giardina, Real Estate Division on passing support we received. We are truly touched by your
the Project Management Professional certification prayers, thoughtful expressions, and contributions
exam. in our time of need.” -- Thank you and God bless,
Barbara Bond & Family
Farewell to… Fontella Moore-Brockman (PL) who
accepted a position at HQ USACE; Bennett Griffith, “Thank you to my Corps family for the flowers,
Gregory Harrison, Lorn Lane, Marlin Webb and cards and kind expressions of sympathy during the
Reza Saadat (WA); John Lambert (CT) who has recent loss of my Father. Please put this in the next
accepted a promotion with Defense Contract issue of the Constellation.” -- Thank you, Melody
Management Agency. Quinn
Transfers… Jack Connolly (PPMD-Civil) to RSFO
as a PM. Changes to the Constellation
We are updating the Constellation into two
Get well wishes to…Craig Eisenhower (OP) at formats. The printed edition will come out
Foster J. Sayers Dam. every quarter and it will have specific mis-
sion themes. We will also produce an e-
Sympathy to… Heather Cisar (PL) on the passing of constellation on a monthly basis. This will
her grandfather; Vincene McClain on the passing
cover the District people and missions with
more photos than a printed edition. We ask
of her mother; Melody Quinn (OP) on the passing for your feedback with a note to
of her father; Tracey Wilder and Sandy Souders christopher.augsburger@usace.army.mil
(WA) on the passing of their brother; family of
12 CONSTELLATION http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
Oct/Nov 2011
