The United States Army Corps of Engineers serves the Armed Forces and the Nation by providing vital engineering services and capabilities, as a public service, across the full spectrum of operations—from peace to war—in support of national interests.  

Corps missions include five broad areas:

• Water Resources
• Environment
• Infrastructure
• Homeland Security
• Warfighting

These capabilities are complementary
and reinforcing. For example,
employees working on water
resources projects on our Nation's
waterways have deployed to Iraq
and Afghanistan and applied their
technical skills to support the warfighter. 

In support of Nation’s interests, build broad-based relationships and alliances to collaboratively provide comprehensive, systems-based, sustainable and integrated solutions to water resources national and international challenges.

From our hundreds of rivers, lakes and wetlands to our thousands of miles of coastal shoreline, we are fortunate in America to enjoy an abundance of water resources. As a nation, we value these resources for their natural beauty; for the many ways they help meet human needs; and for the fact that they provide habitat for thousands of species of plants, fish and wildlife.

The Corps is proud to have the responsibility of helping to care for these important aquatic resources. Through its Civil Works program the Corps carries out a wide array of projects that provide coastal protection, flood protection, hydropower, navigable waters and ports, recreational opportunities and water supply.   (Details)

Environment

Focus USACE talents and energy to sustain the environment, to enable our worldwide missions and secure the future.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers environmental mission has two major focus areas: restoration and stewardship. Efforts in both areas are guided by the Corps environmental operating principles, which help us balance economic and environmental concerns.

The Corps supports or manages numerous environmental programs, that run the gamut from cleaning up areas on former military installations contaminated by hazardous waste or munitions to helping establish a small wetland that helps endangered species survive. Some of these programs include: Ecosystem Restoration, Formerly Used Defense Sites, Environmental Stewardship, EPA Superfund, Abandoned Mine Lands, Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, Base Realignment and Closure 2005, and Regulatory. (Details)

Infrastructure

Build and sustain critical infrastructure facilities for military global missions, nation’s water resources and growing security objectives.

In both Civil Works mission and Military Construction program, the Corps is responsible for billions of dollars of the nation's infrastructure.  For example, as part of its Water Resources mission the Corps maintains direct control 609 dams, maintains and/or operates 257 navigation locks, and operates 75 hydroelectric facilities generating 24% of the nation’s hydropower and three percent of its total electricity.  This represents a significant investment of the nation's resources.

As part of its Military Construction program the Corps contributes to the defense mission by building Communities of Excellence from which U.S. military  power can be projected worldwide. This work includes building ranges and other training facilities, barracks, dining halls, hospitals and workplaces for the Army; design, construction management and real estate services for the Air Force; and quality-of-life facilities such as recreation centers, commissaries and exchanges.

In addition to building and maintaining civil and military infrastructure, the Corps’ Research and Development community is constantly developing new construction, operation and maintenance technology and programs to increase the effectiveness and longevity of this investment. (Details)

Homeland Security

Build USACE capabilities to support growing national homeland security missions, protect critical infrastructure and rapidly deploy homeland security teams for missions in all hazards environments.

In the wake of recent world events, Corps engineering expertise and emergency management abilities have become inextricably linked with the nation's homeland security. In recognition of this fact, the Corps has created an Office of Homeland Security, incorporating the emergency management program and other programs designed to ensure the security of the nation's infrastructure.

Through its security planning, force protection, research and development disaster preparedness efforts and quick response to emergencies and disasters, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is able to help save hundreds of lives and millions of dollars in property damage every year from natural and manmade disasters. The Corps is committed to lessening the impact of these disasters on people, communities, the economy and the environment. (Details)

Warfighting

Shape USACE capabilities and structure to provide highly adaptable and effective support of the National Defense Strategy and the National Military Strategy.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was born on the battlefield of the American Revolution at Bunker Hill, and the Corps' Civilians and Soldiers have always been among the first to respond ever since.  The professionals of the Corps provide a variety of support directly and indirectly to the warfighting effort.  The Corps builds and helps maintain much of the infrastructure the Army and the Air Force use to train, house, and deploy our troops.  Corps built and maintained navigation systems and ports provide an effective means to deploys vital equipment and other materiel.  And Corps research and development facilities are helping to develop new methods of deployment,  force protection measures, terrain analysis and mapping equipment and provide other support.

And the Corps directly supports the military at the  the front, putting the full expertise of the Corps at the call of the Soldier to help solve and avoid engineering and other problems.  Forward Engineer Support Teams may accompany combat engineers to provide immediate support, or to reach back electronically into the rest of the Corps for the necessary expertise.  Real estate, contracting, mapping, construction, logistics, whatever the need, Corps professionals use the knowledge and skills honed on both military and civil projects to support the Soldier at the front. (Details)