AFCEA International Chapter News
GREATER OMAHA CHAPTER CHAPTER - Feb 27, 2025

Guest Speaker Discusses USACE and Its Mission

In February, Robert J. Newbauer, USA, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, Omaha, Nebraska, talked with the chapter about the Army Corps of Engineers' mission. Newbauer clarified USACE supports multiple efforts throughout the country as well as worldwide. USACE has a workforce of civilians (98%) and active duty (2%). He discussed how USACE is separated into several districts to support the United States, where his primary focus, the Omaha District, falls within the Northwestern Division. He pointed out how the different districts were formed by tying the borders to the major water routes in the area, where their primary mission is either civil works or military projects.

Newbauer commented that in 1824, as the country developed, the United States began to focus on having ports, which prompted development of rivers and waterways to gain access to these ports. He pointed out that the United States counted on West Point to supply/educate the personnel to take on this mission. Newbauer homed in on the Omaha District by emphasizing that they have 1,450 employees and manage a $3 billion program. Also, Omaha is the largest corps district in the continental United States and has assisted over 122 countries. Newbauer touched on their various civil works missions like flood risk management, hydropower production, irrigation and municipal water supply. He also mentioned their military initiatives, like the Sijan Hall renovation at the Air Force Academy.

Newbauer added that a lot of their civil missions are situated along waterways and discussed USACE's involvement in the 2011 flooding in Montana and the 2019 flooding at Offutt Air Force Base. Newbauer concluded by stating that he is proud of the agency. The work they do is impactful and meaningful. Contrary to popular belief, they don't create floods, they manage them.

Event Photographs:

Janel Nelson, chapter executive vice president, poses with Col. Robert Newbauer, USA (r), commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, Omaha, Nebraska. Newbauer was the speaker for the February luncheon and received a Greater Omaha Chapter coin for addressing the chapter. Additionally, Newbauer came prepared and provided Nelson with  the USACE coin with the buffalo logo
Janel Nelson, chapter executive vice president, poses with Col. Robert Newbauer, USA (r), commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, Omaha, Nebraska. Newbauer was the speaker for the February luncheon and received a Greater Omaha Chapter coin for addressing the chapter. Additionally, Newbauer came prepared and provided Nelson with the USACE coin with the buffalo logo "Into the Storm" engraved. Newbauer explained the buffaloes instinctively turn toward storms and charge into them. This helps them get through the storm quickly. Into the Storm is the Omaha District's unofficial theme.

RSS Feed

Latest News News By Chapter Submit News FAQ RSS Feed Image Map
Search: