NewsCastle
Los Angeles District
Vol. 43 No. 8
Colloton assumes command
A monthly publication of the Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
August 2013
Greg Fuderer
LOS ANGELES—Col. Kimberly Colloton assumed responsibilities as the 60th Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District during a formal change of command ceremony held July 11 at the Eagle’s Nest Club House in Cypress, Calif. Col. Andrew Turner, commander of the Corps’ South Pacific Division, placed the Corps of Engineers flag into Colloton’s hands at the ceremony. In military tradition, passing the flag represents the transfer of command. “Army changes of command remind us that for every leader, there is a season,” Turner said, “and that every leadership transition reminds us to balance things like continuity, change and renewals. Our chief of engineers charges us on a daily basis to build on enduring and lasting relationships.” Outgoing commander and district engineer, Col. Mark Toy, participated in the ceremony and was recognized for his many achievements during his three-year tour of duty in Los Angeles. Established in 1898, the Los Angeles District provides civil works and military engineering support to a 226,000 square mile area of Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. The District has a current annual budget of about $352 million for civil works projects, military construction, and interagency and international support. In her remarks, Colloton spoke about the priorities on which she will focus as commander. “I believe it is imperative for us to deliver on our commitments and produce value-added projects and studies for our partners on behalf of the nation which has entrusted us with this responsibility,” she said. “We will complete the work we set out to do and we
Col. Kimberly Colloton, left, accepts the district guideon from Col. David Turner, the commander of the South Pacific Division, during the change of command ceremony July 11. The passing of the colors symbolizes the transfer of command from the outgoing commander to the new commander. (Photo by Kristen Skopeck) will always take care of people by main- coast, among them the massive ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which taining a trained and ready force and together represent 40 percent of all U.S. an environment that fosters respect, trade by volume. discipline and fiscal stewardship.” Military construction projects at 11 Projects include reducing the risk installations in California, Arizona and of flood damage along the Santa Ana Nevada include family housing, barRiver Mainstem, such as the modification of Prado Dam in Corona, and other racks and operations facilities. The District also provides engineering design waterways; environmental restoration projects such as the revitalization of the and construction support to agencies Los Angeles River; shoreline restoration such as U.S. Customs and Border Proand protection projects from Morro Bay tection and the International Boundary and Water Commission, among others. to the border with Mexico; and mainPrior to assuming command of the tenance of navigation channels at more than a dozen commercial and recreational harbors along the California — see COLLOTON, Page 16 —