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Corps Connections

  • February

    O'Sullivan retires after 20 years as an active-duty Soldier.

    Deputy Commander for SWG Mega Projects Division Retires

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), bid a fond farewell to Lieutenant Colonel Ian P. O’Sullivan, SWG Deputy Commander for the Mega Projects Division in a ceremony at the Gemini Building in Houston, Texas, Jan. 22, 2026. Major General (retired) Ed Jackson hosted and presided over the ceremony.

  • September

    SWG Co-Hosts 10th Annual Wallisville Combat Veteran Gator Hunt

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) hosted the 10th Annual Lone Star Warriors Outdoors Gator Hunt at its Wallisville Lake Project location, Sept. 14 to 17, 2025.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) Commander Col. David Dake speaks at ceremony commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, at the Galveston Seawall, September 6, 2025. Dake, along with Galveston Mayor Dr. Craig Brown, and other local leaders joined more than 8,000 attendants along the seawall to honor the resilience of the community who rebuilt the island after experiencing the deadliest natural disaster in the history of the United States.

    SWG Commemorates 'Great Storm of 1900', Participates in Historic, Guinness World Record Event

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG), along with the City of Galveston and Guinness World Records, observed the 125th anniversary of the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, during a ceremony at the Galveston Seawall, September 6, 2025.
  • Cost engineers produce budget estimates and Independent Government Estimates (IGEs) for construction projects. Budget estimates support funding requests: IGEs support construction contract award, which includes contract modification. ‘Independent’ signifies freedom from influence.

    Adam Tallman Wins 2025 USACE Cost Engineer of the Year For Civil Works

    Adam Tallman, a Galveston District certified professional engineer, has been named the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Cost Engineer of the Year 2025 for Civil Works. The Cost Engineer of the Year Civil Works Award recognizes one individual each year for their contributions to the cost engineering profession in the last three fiscal years preceding the award.

  • August

    Dr. Islam has over 24 years of distinguished expertise in HH&C engineering, specializing in advanced numerical modeling, field monitoring, and the integration of environmental information systems to inform critical water resource management decisions. He is also a board-certified water resources engineer through the American Society of Civil Engineers and a licensed professional engineer in Connecticut.

    SWG Champion Earns USACE Engineer of the Year Honors

    Dr. Mohammad “Shahidul” Islam, Ph.D., P.E., BCWRE, a subject matter expert in the Hydrology & Hydraulic Branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District, has been named Engineer of the Year for the USACE Hydrology, Hydraulics & Coastal Community of Practice (HH&C CoP) for Fiscal Year 2025.

  • July

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Southwestern Division Commander Brig. Gen. George Walter (left of center) passes the USACE Galveston District's colors to the incoming District Commander Col. David W. Dake, during a change of command ceremony, July 29, 2025. During Army change of command ceremonies, the passing of the colors from the senior commander to the incoming commander signifies the passing of his trust and confidence in the incoming commander's ability to lead the organization, its Soldier, and civilians. U.S. Army photo by Luke Waack

    USACE Galveston District Holds Change of Command

    Col. David Dake assumed command from Col. Rhett Blackmon as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) commander during a change of command ceremony, July 29, 2025, at the district’s headquarters. On top of handing over command to Dake, Blackmon also celebrated his retirement from the Army after 26 years of service.

  • June

    Galveston District Logistics Management Specialist and Property Book Officer Sequoia A. Hopkins (right) opens the door on a hillside mower acquired via government equipment channels June 9, 2025. Hopkins was recently named the USACE Directorate of Logistics' “Outstanding Logistician of the Year”.

    Hopkins Named 'Outstanding Logistician of the Year'

    Sequoia Hopkins, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG), was named the USACE "Outstanding Logistician of the Year".

  • February

    A small concrete mixer moved along railroad tracks to pour concrete into the base for the east end of the Galveston Seawall extension, circa 1920.

    SWG Celebrates 145 years

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) celebrates its 145th birthday today. Since its establishment in 1880, SWG has played a pivotal role in maintaining channels and improving harbors, laying the foundation that would make Texas a leader in commercial navigation and trade. Though its mission has grown over nearly a century and a half, the district continues to embody the spirit of resilience that has gotten coastal Texas through some of it most challenging times.

  • January

    Dr. Paul A. Cox, SWG Engineering Technician, gave the invocation. The observance was organized by Dr. Rose M. Caballero, SWG Equal Employment Manager and Ms. Patricia “Pat” Agee, Black Employment Manager. SWG Commander, Col Rhett A. Blackmon gave opening remarks to the scores of people who attended in person and many more watching online.

    Excellence in Action: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), honored the life and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a ceremony at district headquarters on King’s birthday, Jan. 15, 2025. Dr. Paul A. Cox, SWG Engineering Technician, gave the invocation.

  • August

    Deshotels began working as a district summer hire in 1999 and began his full-time career with SWG in 2004. “I started out as a lock operator at the Colorado River Locks (CRL),” Deshotels said. “I was a lock operator for five years and got promoted to maintenance mechanic.” Deshotels worked as a maintenance mechanic there for 12 years before he transferred to the BRFG to take over the Lockmaster role.

    Meet the Brazos River Floodgates Lockmaster

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), has operated the Brazos River Floodgates since 1943. Located seven miles southwest of Freeport, Texas, the Brazos River Flood Gates (BRFG) have been instrumental in mitigating sediment deposits and aiding navigation at the intersection of the Brazos River and the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway for eight decades. The primary mission of BRFG Champions is to facilitate the safe navigation of commercial and recreation vessels through the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way (GIWW) and Brazos River interchange, which currently includes a 60-degree angle change from the West Gate and the East Gate. Jesse Deshotels has been the Brazos River Floodgates Lockmaster since 2022.

  • July

    Taira Baldauf, a hydraulic engineers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District, stands on top of the Hollandsche IJssel storm surge barrier near Rotterdam, Netherlands. Baldauf recently spent five weeks in the Netherlands participating in the International Network for Storm Surge Barriers, or I-STORM, a knowledge sharing network of countries and entities that manage storm surge barriers.

    Hydraulic engineer learns key element in water infrastructure projects

    Hydraulic engineers specialize in the properties and movement of liquids, namely water. Their job entails making highly educated guesses on how water will interact with infrastructure like dams, bridges, and canals. However, a young U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) hydraulic engineer’s approach focuses on another—and most important—element tied to their projects, the human element.

  • June

    The district has been instrumental in hurricane and storm management and recovery efforts for more than 100 years since the initial construction of the Galveston Seawall was completed in 1904.

    Get Ready for Hurricane Season! Galveston District Holds Hurricane Prep Exercise

    The Galveston District routinely conducts hurricane preparedness exercises in efforts to continuously execute their mission should the need arise. The district has been instrumental in hurricane and storm management and recovery efforts for more than 100 years since the initial construction of the Galveston Seawall was completed in 1904.

  • May

    Because of its location along the Gulf of Mexico, Texas receives 10 times more trash on its beaches than most other Gulf states. The Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees is responsible for keeping this litter off the local beaches. This mission requires a lot of effort, and a lot of waste containers, 4,000 to be exact.

    Real Estate Team Building 'Beautifies the Bucket' for beach cleanup

    Because of its location along the Gulf of Mexico, Texas receives 10 times more trash on its beaches than most other Gulf states. The Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees is responsible for keeping this litter off the local beaches. This mission requires a lot of effort, and a lot of waste containers, 4,000 to be exact. To help spruce up the trash receptacles, the Park Board sponsors a “Beautify the Bucket” contest, where community members can decorate barrels with their own art creations. This year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), Real Estate Division wanted to join the beach beautification effort. “We decided to do it as a (in-house) real estate competition, as well as entering it there,” said Britney M. Nealon, SWG realty specialist. The Real Estate Division was split into four teams; the Jellyfish, Work Smart Not Hard, Team Cutthroat and Art and the Perception of Real(i)ty.

  • April

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), named two “Administrative Professionals of the Year” for 2024, in a ceremony at the Jadwin Building, April 23, 2024.

    SWG Honors Administrative Professionals of the Year

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), named two “Administrative Professionals of the Year” for 2024, in a ceremony at the Jadwin Building, April 23, 2024. Six administrative professionals were nominated by their offices: Mellissa Delehanty, Office of Counsel (OC), Mostafa Elsaka, Contracting, Leilani Gonzalez, Southern Area Office, Kelvin Harrison, Houston Project Office, Susan Martin, Project Management (PM-J), and Shari McDonald, Port Arthur Resident Office.

  • February

    Each year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division (TPWD) closes crab fishing with wire mesh crab traps for ten days to give volunteers the opportunity to round up lost and abandoned traps. The closure is traditionally in late February or early March. Unattended traps “ghost fish” and kill blue crabs and other species unnecessarily and can also create a navigation hazard for boaters. According to a press release from TPWD, since the “Crab Trap Roundup” began 22 years ago, volunteers have removed 42,500 derelict traps, saving an estimated 700,000 blue crabs, a valuable natural resource. Each year at the Wallisville Lake Project, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) personnel join the Crab Trap Roundup, while they patrol.

    Wallisville Lake Project staff clean up abandoned crab traps

    Each year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division (TPWD) closes crab fishing with wire mesh crab traps for ten days to give volunteers the opportunity to round up lost and abandoned traps. The closure is traditionally in late February or early March. Unattended traps “ghost fish” and kill blue crabs and other species unnecessarily and can also create a navigation hazard for boaters. According to a press release from TPWD, since the “Crab Trap Roundup” began 22 years ago, volunteers have removed 42,500 derelict traps, saving an estimated 700,000 blue crabs, a valuable natural resource. Each year at the Wallisville Lake Project, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) personnel join the Crab Trap Roundup, while they patrol.
  • A vintage postcard of the Galveston Sea Wall shows two men standing on rip rap, which is rock or other material used to protect shoreline structures against scour and water, wave, or ice erosion.

    Galveston District celebrates 144 years

    On February 25, 1880, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) established its first engineer district in Texas on an island off the Gulf Coast. One hundred forty-four years, 52 district commanders, and several major hurricanes later, the Galveston District (SWG) continues to play a key role in keeping the country’s vital waterways open and protecting coastal Texas communities.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), hosted PROSPECT (Proponent-Sponsored Engineer Corps Training) Course 183, Formal Source Selection, at the Jadwin Building in Galveston, Texas, Feb. 13-16, 2024. Source selection is the federal government’s process for selecting contractors to perform work or provide a supply or to construct a building.

    USACE's ERDC and SWG Team Up To Provide Important Federal Acquisitions Training To Joint Audience

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG), hosted PROSPECT (Proponent-Sponsored Engineer Corps Training) Course 183, Formal Source Selection, at the Jadwin Building in Galveston, Texas, Feb. 13-16, 2024. Source selection is the federal government’s process for selecting contractors to perform work or provide a supply or to construct a building. Dr. Christopher Barnett, USACE, Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC), Business Operations Branch (BOB) chief, Vicksburg, Miss., led the team of five instructors.

  • January

    Col. Rhett Blackmon, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) commander, gives opening remarks during USACE SWG Industry Day at Moody Gardens, Galveston, Texas, Jan. 17, 2024. Industry Day is an opportunity for SWG to engage with businesses face to face, collaborate on projects and give contractors important information about contracting with USACE. U.S. Army photo by Luke Waack.

    USACE holds Industry Day in Galveston

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District (SWG) held its latest Industry Day, Jan. 17, 2024. Industry Day is an opportunity for SWG to communicate face-to-face with small businesses the requirements for doing business with USACE.

  • December

    Santa Claus interrupts the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District's (SWG) quarterly award ceremony to congratulate the awardees and read off the names of all the employees who made this year's "nice list." SWG held its Fiscal Year 2024 First Quarter Awards Ceremony and Townhall at the Jadwin Building in Galveston, Texas, Dec. 14, 2023.

    SWG holds holiday-themed awards ceremony and townhall

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) held its Fiscal Year 2024 First Quarter Army Professional Awards Ceremony and Townhall at the Jadwin Building in Galveston, Texas, Dec. 14, 2023. More than 150 District employees attended the ceremony and townhall in person, and many more virtually.

  • November

    For the last five years, USACE Galveston District (SWG), has partnered with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department game wardens and the non-profit Lone Star Warriors Outdoors (LSWO) to offer combat veterans the chance to assist USACE in managing the deer population at the reservoirs.

    USACE Hosts Lone Star Warriors Outdoors Combat Veteran Deer Hunt

    For the last five years, USACE Galveston District (SWG) has partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens and the non-profit Lone Star Warriors Outdoors (LSWO) to offer combat veterans the chance to assist USACE in managing the deer population at the reservoirs.