SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — After almost a century of providing engineering excellence in the Caribbean, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers now has a permanent presence in the area.
The Caribbean District, formed in 2024, officially reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) recently, solidifying its role as the 43rd district within USACE and the first permanent district focused on civil works in the Caribbean since 1950. This milestone marks the culmination of a multi-year transformation from Task Force Virgin Islands Puerto Rico (TF VIPR) into a fully functioning district, headquartered in San Juan.
The Past
The Corps of Engineers’ legacy in the Caribbean dates to 1907, when its first office for Puerto Rico was established on Staten Island, New York, operating under the Eastern Division. This initial step laid the groundwork for what would become a longstanding commitment to the region's infrastructure and development that continues to this date. By 1916, the district found its home under the Northeast Division, further solidifying its presence and role within USACE.
As the years progressed, so did the scope of operations. 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 the Corps of Engineers mission. This expansion was followed by the district’s transfer to a renamed Caribbean Division in 1941, signaling a more focused approach to addressing the region's unique engineering needs. A year later, in 1942, the district's headquarters were relocated from New York to Puerto Rico.
Organizational changes in July 1946 resulted in the establishment of a Panama District and the renaming of Puerto Rico District to the Antilles District, and both offices were placed under the South Atlantic Division.
In 1948, another transition occurred as the Antilles District evolved into the San Juan Engineer Office, a suboffice under Panama District. This period of adaptation culminated in 1950 with the absorption of the Panama District by Jacksonville, consolidating USACE's presence and responsibilities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Fast forward to 2023, and the legacy of USACE in the Caribbean entered a new chapter with the establishment of Task Force Virgin Islands Puerto Rico. This organization was tasked with providing focused leadership and support for civil works and public infrastructure projects.
Then, on January 2024, LTG Scott A. Spellmon, who was then the Corps of Engineers commander, authorized the establishment of a new enduring district under the South Atlantic Division (SAD), marking a significant milestone in the Corps of Engineers’ commitment to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This decision recognized the region’s growing infrastructure needs.
The Caribbean District has overseen a wide array of projects aimed at improving flood control, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and military readiness. Most recently, the Corps of Engineers played a pivotal role in transforming San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico’s principal port, into a modern, efficient, and environmentally conscious maritime hub. Handling over 75 percent of the island’s non-petroleum waterborne commerce, the harbor is essential to Puerto Rico’s economy, tourism, and energy supply.
The Corps of Engineers partnered with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority for the $56.7 million San Juan Harbor widening and deepening project, which was completed in November 2024, allows larger cargo ships, cruise liners, and petroleum tankers to safely and efficiently navigate the harbor, reducing congestion and operational costs.
The project balanced economic growth with environmental stewardship. Dredged material was used to restore Condado Lagoon, a degraded aquatic habitat adjacent to the harbor, and the project used the DB Avalon, a state-of-the-art, zero-emissions clamshell dredge, minimizing sediment disturbance and marine disruption.
The Present
Puerto Rico
The success of the San Juan Harbor project underscores the Corps’ commitment to strong infrastructure, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. Today, that commitment continues as the Caribbean District manages a $10 billion portfolio of civil works and military construction projects across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Among the district’s most ambitious undertakings is the
Río Puerto Nuevo Flood Risk Management Project, a $1.6 Billion investment, as appropriated by Congress —one of the largest infrastructure efforts in Puerto Rico’s history. This multi-phase initiative is designed to significantly reduce flooding within the 26 square miles of highly urbanized terrain in the cities of San Juan and Guaynabo. The project includes deepening and widening the Río Piedras and its tributaries to improve capacity, water flow, replacing outdated bridges, and modernizing adjacent water, sewer, and electrical systems within the project footprint to withstand future storm impacts. With over 250,000 residents living in the floodplain, the project is critical to public safety and economic development, while also optimizing sustainability into its design.
The
Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project is another transformative effort, focused on revitalizing one of the island’s most environmentally and socially significant areas. This $261.7 million project aims to restore nearly
four two miles of canal and surrounding wetlands that have suffered decades of degradation due to sediment buildup and pollution. By improving tidal exchange and water quality, the restoration will support biodiversity, and enhance the health and well-being of surrounding communities, many of which are among the most vulnerable in San Juan. The project also aligns with broader environmental justice goals, ensuring that underserved populations benefit from sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the $500 million
Río de La Plata Flood Damage Reduction Project plays a vital role in safeguarding Puerto Rico’s potable water supply. This long-term project involves relocating critical infrastructure away from flood-prone areas along the Río de La Plata, ensuring lasting reliability and continuity of the water system that is a source of drinking water for more than one million residents in norther Puerto Rico. By proactively addressing vulnerabilities in the existing network, the Corps is helping to secure essential resources against future weather-related threats.
The
Guajataca Dam Rehabilitation Project is a multi-phase, $1 billion initiative aimed at permanently repairing and modernizing one of Puerto Rico’s most critical water infrastructure assets. Located in Isabela, the dam was severely damaged by Hurricane María in 2017. In June 2023, the Corps of Engineers signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to initiate permanent repairs, funded through FEMA Disaster Recovery Funds. The rehabilitation includes a two-year risk analysis phase followed by design and construction, expected to span five years. The design also includes the installation of a modern alarm system to alert first responders in case of emergencies and structural upgrades to bring the dam, which was originally built in 1913, into compliance with 21
st Century safety and resilience standards. Once completed, the project will safeguard the water supply for over 250,000 people and benefit approximately 1,000 residents living directly downstream from the dam.
U.S. Virgin Islands
The Caribbean District’s mission extends beyond Puerto Rico to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where several key projects are underway to enhance flood protection, improve infrastructure, and support community well-being.
The
Savan Gut Flood Risk Management Project in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, is a transformative $81.8 million initiative aimed at reducing flood damages in the island’s historic downtown. Located within the 100-year floodplain, the project will protect the Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School and approximately 400 structures through the construction of a 1,500-foot covered concrete box culvert, a stormwater retention basin, replacement of three bridges, and the addition of pocket parks and cultural resource mitigation to preserve the area’s historic character.
In St. Croix, the
Christiansted Harbor Navigation Study is evaluating improvements to enhance maritime access and economic activity, while the Estate La Grange Floodplain Management Study (CAP 205) is addressing chronic flooding issues in low-lying communities. These studies reflect the Corps’ commitment to thoughtful planning and long-term infrastructure solutions across the Virgin Islands.
Military Construction and Strategic Intent
Puerto Rico’s military significance is deeply rooted in its geostrategic location that supports national security strategy throughout the region. The island’s infrastructure, which includes airports, seaports, and communications networks, enhances its value as a forward operating base. Situated at the crossroads of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea near key maritime routes makes the island a vital outpost for projecting U.S. power, safeguarding trade, and responding to regional threats.
The military defense of Puerto Rico is the responsibility of the United States as part of the Treaty of Paris. Locally, Puerto Rico also has its own National Guard – the Puerto Rico National Guard, and its own state defense force, the Puerto Rico State Guard. The Caribbean District is advancing the military preparedness and capability of the Puerto Rico National Guard through its portfolio of military construction (MILCON) projects that support operational readiness and infrastructure modernization for both the Puerto Rico National Guard and Virgin Islands National Guard.
In Puerto Rico, the Corps of Engineers has completed projects including the $10.3 million
Fort Buchanan Access Control Point, while major upgrades are underway at Camp Santiago, Fort Allen, and Puerto Nuevo. Facilities like Camp Santiago and Fort Buchanan support joint exercises, National Guard readiness, and interagency coordination.
The
Fort Allen Readiness Center is a $291 million design-build project awarded in June 2025. It will serve as a hub for operations and emergency response. Meanwhile, the
Camp Santiago Joint Training Center is undergoing a $299.7 million transformation to restore its role as the Caribbean’s premier military training ground.
The camp was originally established in 1940 and has been a staging area for units preparing for major operations including Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom. It also served as a base for search and rescue teams deployed after 9/11. Following Hurricane María’s devastation in 2017 that damaged approximately 60 percent of the Camp’s structures, the Corps of Engineers launched a multi-year reconstruction effort that includes demolition of 40 damaged structures and construction of 29 new buildings for housing, administration, and training.
Two new dining facilities capable of withstand winds up to 200 mph are also being built, alongside revamped electrical and water systems, expanded parking, and improved access infrastructure. Once completed, Camp Santiago will feature transient barracks for up to 1,000 personnel, advanced simulation and weapons ranges, cyber training labs, medical facilities, and expanded maneuver areas for joint exercises.
Building the Future
As the newest district within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Caribbean District is no longer just responding to challenges; it’s shaping the future of infrastructure and military preparedness across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. With FOC achieved, the district enters a new era guided by a strategic vision and a project portfolio that reflects both urgency and ambition.
“Through the Caribbean District, the U.S. Army and the Corps of Engineers have laid a permanent foundation for engineering excellence in the region,” said Decker. “A foundation built not only on history, but on momentum. This new chapter isn’t just about having an enduring presence in the region; it’s about having a lasting purpose.”