Posted on July 29, 2026
Col. Eric Swenson assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, during a formal Change of Command ceremony July 15 at Caven Point Marine Terminal in Jersey City, New Jersey, the District’s floating plant. Col. Alexander Young, leading the District for the past three years, relinquished command during the event.
Opening Procession
In the opening procession, Col. Swenson, Col. Young, Brig. Gen. Jesse Curry (commander, North Atlantic Division) and New York’s Deputy District Engineer and Chief of PPMD Jodi McDonald marched to the front podium for the Change of Command — a tradition dating back to the beginning of our nation’s history providing for the orderly transfer of organizational leadership. After the national anthem, invocation and flowers presented to Mrs. Young and Mrs. Swenson, the three Leaders gave remarks to a large audience of employees, family and friends.
Introducing Col. Swenson
Col. Swenson’s previous assignments include serving as Deputy Commander of the Army Corps’ North Atlantic Division (Brooklyn, NY); Commander and District Engineer of the USACE-St. Paul District (Minnesota); and Recovery Field Office Commander for the 2025 Southern California Wildfires Recovery Mission supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
A sampling of additional assignments include:
● Battalion Commander, 1-345 Brigade Engineer Battalion, Camp Atterbury, IN
● Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY
● Battalion Executive Officer, 54th Engineer Battalion, Bamberg, Germany
● Assistant Operations Officer, 18th Engineer Brigade, forward, deployed to Afghanistan
Education Credentials
Col. Swenson holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in industrial engineering and operations research from Penn State University; an M.A. in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College; an M.A. in strategic studies from the Army War College; and a B.S. in systems engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY.
Military Honors
New York’s new commander is highly decorated. Honors include the following:
● Legion of Merit, Bronze Star
● Meritorious Service Medal
● Army Commendation Medal
● Army Achievement Medal
Eight (8) Additional Medals include: Afghanistan Campaign; Iraq Campaign; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service; Armed Forces Service; NATO; Combat Action Badge; Army Parachutist Badge; and Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal.
As commander of the New York District, Col. Swenson will lead a staff of nearly 550 personnel executing a diverse, complex program of military construction, civil works projects, international and interagency support and emergency operations recovery and response, among others.
After the ceremony Col. Swenson met District employees and a luncheon was held for employees and guests. Events concluded with a Harbor Inspection visiting many areas where the District has missions.
Prior to the Change of Command, a separate awards ceremony was held for outgoing New York District Commander Col. Alexander Young. Before an audience of leaders and employees, he was presented with a Legion of Merit for his permanent change of station and a Silver deFleury Medal for his contributions to the Engineer Regiment.
New York District Profile
New York District is responsible for the Army Corps of Engineers’ water-resources development, navigation and regulatory activities in northeastern New Jersey, eastern and south-central New York State, and parts of Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. New York is also responsible for design and construction at Army and Air Force installations in New Jersey, New York and Greenland and provides emergency support following disasters and for the Global War on Terror.
