NEW ORLEANS– Col. Richard L. Hansen became the 62nd Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, today in a formal military change of command ceremony.
Maj. Gen. John Peabody, Division Engineer for the Mississippi Valley Division and President of the Mississippi River Commission, placed the Corps of Engineers flag, symbolizing command of the New Orleans District, into Hansen’s hands. In military tradition, the passing of the flag represents the transfer of command.
On assuming command of the New Orleans District, Col. Hansen became responsible for one of the largest civil works programs in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at over $300 million annually. The New Orleans District includes 2,800 miles of navigable waterways, five of the top fifteen ports in the Nation, 1,300 miles of levees and floodwalls, 11 navigation locks, six major flood control structures, and other projects designed to restore and protect coastal wetlands.
Also under Col. Hansen’s management is the District’s Protection and Restoration Office, which is charged with managing the Corps’ efforts to reduce risk for South Louisiana by executing comprehensive and integrated flood control, ecosystem restoration, and hurricane and storm damage risk reduction projects.
BIOGRAPHY
Col. Richard L. Hansen
Colonel Hansen was commissioned in the US Army Corps of Engineers in May 1990, and most recently served as the Executive Director of Military and International Operations at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC.
His previous assignments include Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Battalion Adjutant, 30th Engineer Battalion, Fort Bragg NC; Brigade Engineer, 2nd Brigade, and Commander, Alpha Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Korea; Small Group Instructor, US Army Engineer School; Battalion Executive Officer, 3d Battalion, 410th Regiment (TS), Fort Knox KY; Assistant Division Engineer, DIVENG, 1st Cavalry Division, Battalion Executive Officer, 2BSTB, 1st Cavalry Division; Deputy Commander, Galveston District, US Army Corps of Engineers, Commander, 1-3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart GA.
Colonel Hansen earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from US Military Academy-West Point, a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri, Rolla MO, a Master of Strategic Studies Degree and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia.
Colonel Hansen is a graduate of the US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks PA, Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth KS, Air Assault School, Airborne School, Sapper School, and the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Sapper Tab.
A native of Blue Springs, Missouri, Colonel Hansen is married to the former Catherine Sutter of Arnold, Missouri.They have two children, John and Matthew.