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District commander visits regional office

Published Nov. 24, 2015
Rob Crist (left), resident engineer at Luke Air Force Base, briefs Los Angeles District Commander Col. Kirk Gibbs Nov. 19. Crist updated Gibbs on the status of aviation maintenance unit facilities built in support of the F-35 beddown at Luke.

Rob Crist (left), resident engineer at Luke Air Force Base, briefs Los Angeles District Commander Col. Kirk Gibbs Nov. 19. Crist updated Gibbs on the status of aviation maintenance unit facilities built in support of the F-35 beddown at Luke.

Brian Kenny (left), a project manager with the Arizona-Nevada Area Office, discusses flood mitigation with Los Angeles District Commander Col. Kirk Gibbs Nov. 20. Kenny explained several features under consideration for the 7.2 mile flood control levee located along the Little Colorado River near Winslow, Arizona.

Brian Kenny (left), a project manager with the Arizona-Nevada Area Office, discusses flood mitigation with Los Angeles District Commander Col. Kirk Gibbs Nov. 20. Kenny explained several features under consideration for the 7.2 mile flood control levee located along the Little Colorado River near Winslow, Arizona.

Assistant County Manager Homero Vela (right center) walks the Ruby Wash Diversion Levee with Los Angeles District Commander Col. Kirk Gibbs Nov. 20. Navajo County and the Corps are working diligently on a feasibility study of the area that includes a portion of the Ruby Wash and the 7.2 mile Winslow Levee.

Assistant County Manager Homero Vela (right center) walks the Ruby Wash Diversion Levee with Los Angeles District Commander Col. Kirk Gibbs Nov. 20. Navajo County and the Corps are working diligently on a feasibility study of the area that includes a portion of the Ruby Wash and the 7.2 mile Winslow Levee.

PHOENIX — Col. Kirk Gibbs, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, toured Arizona-Nevada Area Office projects Nov. 19-20. His first visit since assuming command in July, Gibbs met stakeholders, spoke with employees, presented awards, and viewed key projects.

"We are doing incredibly important work for the communities, whether the flood risk mitigation study we are working on in Winslow or the ecosystem restoration and flood risk management in the Phoenix area," said Gibbs. "We are doing work that manages flood risk for both cities and small towns and we are doing work that restores habitat in a city that lives with temperatures above 100 degrees for as long as six months at a time. But our work is not possible without the great relationships with our partners throughout the state of Arizona." 

"I agree with Col. Gibbs," said City of Phoenix Deputy Street Transportation Director Jenny Grote. "It's the professional relationships and partnerships that get a project built."

The District team also works to strengthen the nation’s security by supporting service members where they train, work and live. It is an endeavor in keeping with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley's number one priority, readiness.

"Our work at both Luke Air Force Base and Fort Huachuca are undoubtedly supporting the warfighter," said Gibbs. "We have constructed some amazing facilities that are supporting the F-35 beddown for the Air Force. I was so impressed with the maintenance units and the [Academic] Training Center, and the wing leadership is thrilled with the product." 

In all, the Corps will build six aviation maintenance unit facilities for the F-35, and the ATC at Luke was recognized as having the District's Outstanding Project Delivery Team in March 2015. 

"Our relationships with the Air Force and even the contractors doing the work are what is allowing us to fully support our warfighters," said Gibbs.  "True partners in a very important mission!"