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Blue Star Deployment Recognition Program

Developed to highlight Corps employees who have deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan in support of OIF/OEF, the USACE Galveston District's Public Affairs Office produces a feature story on each employee,  frames the story and provides the commander a blue star flag to present to each respective supervisor as a way to remember team members while they are serving the nation in combat zones. The flags are hung outside each office until the team member returns.

As of November 2012, the USACE Galveston District has deployed five military and 41 civilians since 2001 in support of Operation Restore Iraqi Oil, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

With 15 USACE Galveston District staff members deployed in support of OEF in 2012, the district continues to greatly exceed the Corps’ goal of deploying 1.75 percent of the workforce annually by providing nearly a 5 percent participation rate to support overseas contingency operations.

The USACE Galveston District staff below have recently returned from their deployments. For more information about this program, contact the Emergency Management Office.

Read the full story and view staff holiday greetings to our deployed team.

 

Steve Ireland

Steve Ireland

Steve Ireland, a physical scientist in the district’s Environmental Section, Planning, Environmental, and Regulatory Division, deployed to Afghanistan Jan. 17, 2011, as an environmental engineer.

“We all admire Steve's patriotism and commitment in his second deployment to a war zone, as he previously deployed to Iraq,” said Carolyn Murphy, chief of the district’s Environmental Branch. “He will provide much needed assistance in resolving environmental issues and providing environmental services in Afghanistan in support of the war effort.”

 

Celia Cockburn

Celia Cockburn

Celia Cockburn, a contract specialist in the district’s Execution Branch, Contracting Division, deployed to Afghanistan as a contract specialist in March 2011.

“I ask that you keep our deployed employees and their families in your thoughts as they continue our mission abroad,” said Col. Christopher W. Sallese, USACE Galveston District commander. “The Corps family has always been a strong one, and together we will continue the Corps motto of ‘Building Strong!’”

 

 

Louis Esqueda

Louis Esqueda, a construction control representative in the district’s Rio Grande Valley Resident Office, deployed to Afghanistan Jan. 23, 2011, as a construction representative.

“We’re very proud of Louis’s willingness to deploy in support of our mission in Afghanistan, as he is into his second year in support of this effort,” said Kenneth (Chip) Worley, Rio Grande Valley Resident Office Engineer with the Galveston District. “Having served 24 years in the Armed Forces myself, I understand what a sacrifice this is to both him and his family. His work as a quality control representative will bring lasting impacts to the people of Afghanistan.”

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