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USACE Establishes New District in Puerto Rico
from America's Engineers: The People, Programs, and Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers '24-'25
BY JENNIFER K. GARCIA TORRES
SOUTH ATLANTIC DIVISION Caribbean District
As a result, the federal agency will provide comprehensive district services with a specialized emphasis on the Caribbean region, announced Brig. Gen. Daniel H. Hibner, USACE SAD commander. This is the first permanent district, with a focus on Civil Works projects, that USACE has established since 1950.
“We are thrilled to announce the establishment of the Caribbean District, headquartered in Puerto Rico. This decision emphasizes USACE’s longstanding commitment with the region and its people.
While Task Force VIPR oversaw Civil Works and public infrastructure projects in Puerto Rico and the U.S. and Virgin Islands, and managed all construction activities, this new district consolidates and enhances our services, acting as one door to the Corps for all district services in the region,” Hibner said.
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The Caribbean District has the mission of delivering a multi-billion dollar Civil Works program over the next decade in the region. The new organization assumed oversight of military construction projects, navigation initiatives, emergency response efforts, and interagency and international services, among other programs. It also maintains the role as the local construction agent for other districts within the region.
Col. Charles Decker, USACE Caribbean District commander, stated that USACE will continue the award and implementation of key construction contracts of infrastructure investment in benefit of the region. Decker added that “this new district continues to be a dedicated and focused team that can sustain and build relationships through effective tiered governance and proactive, synchronized communications while efficiently executing programs in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
The history of USACE with Puerto Rico dates back to 1907, when an office for Puerto Rico was established in Staten Island, New York. In 1935, the Puerto Rico office expanded its horizons to include work in the U.S. Virgin Islands, reflecting the growing importance of the Caribbean within USACE’s mission. In 1950, the Jacksonville District absorbed the San Juan Engineering Office, consolidating USACE’s presence and responsibilities.
Through the decades, the San Juan office contracted or expanded dependent on need in the region. Then, in 2024, the chief of engineers authorized the establishment of a new district under SAD.
Other than establishing military-based districts, with most of these offices in the Mediterranean and Middle East Region, the last time USACE established a district with focus on civil works was in 1950 with the establishment of the Fort Worth District in the Southwestern Division. AE
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