Corps Opens South Pacific Border District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers established its 46th district in a ceremony held in Phoenix, Arizona on December 6.

The newly activated South Pacific Border District falls under the South Pacific Division, one of nine  Corps geographic divisions. The South Pacific Division supports California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of five other states.

The South Pacific Border District, the fifth district for the South Pacific Division, is a provisional district with a critical mission to support the Department of Defense’s efforts along our nation’s southern border.

This new district evolved from Task Force Barrier, a task force team established by the Corps in March 2019 to provide direction and oversight for DOD-funded construction of border barrier projects from California to Texas.

Brigadier Gen. Kimberly M. Colloton, South Pacific Division commander, transferred the command of this new district to Col. Rafael “Pete” Pazos, who has commanded TF Barrier since October.

The South Pacific Border District is providing contracting services, including design and construction oversight, of Department of Defense-funded Southwest border barrier projects in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas at the direction of the Administration and at the request of Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection agency.