Posted on July 29, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In historic military tradition, command of the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers transferred today from Col. Travis Rayfield to Col. Andrew Niewohner.
In a ceremony at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, Niewohner received the traditional guidon from Rayfield through Brig. Gen. William C. Hannan, Jr., the commander of the Northwestern Division, USACE, thus assuming command of the district.
“My family and I are incredibly excited and privileged to be moving back home to the Midwest. The Kansas City District has a tremendous reputation, and I am honored to join the team,” said Niewohner. “In just a few short weeks, I’ve seen a willingness to work with our partners across the region to address some of the most challenging problems we face, and I look forward to being part of the ‘can do’ Kansas City culture.”
Passing the colors has been a military tradition for centuries. The change of command ceremony offers subordinates the opportunity to formally see the transfer of authority from one officer to another as a means of preserving the continuity of command and authority. The ceremonies are formal and dignified, with musical accompaniment from a military quartet and an honor guard composed of park rangers from USACE lake projects in Kansas and Missouri.
“Col. Travis Rayfield did an outstanding job commanding the Kansas City District during the past three years, which were filled with unique challenges as we redefined ‘normal’ while still producing results for our nation’s most critical needs. We thank him for his service and wish him the best as he transitions into retirement and his next chapter,” said Hannan. “At the same time, we are excited to welcome Col. Andrew Niewohner, who brings a great deal of experience and energy to Kansas City. I look forward to working with him as he leads the district to continued excellence.”
Rayfield assumed command of the Kansas City District in June 2021. He commanded the district during the extensive recovery operations on the Missouri River after the 2019 flood, through two years of historically low water levels on the river and successfully led the district through the COVID pandemic.
Before the change of command ceremony, Rayfield received the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal for his exemplary service to the Engineer Corps and the Legion of Merit Medal in recognition of his leadership to the district and for a distinguished Army career. Rayfield, who is retiring effective July 28, 2024, after nearly 25 years of military service also received a folded U.S. flag and Certificate of Retirement.
“I am proud to have been part of the team that set a climate to onboard and develop the federal employees of tomorrow, while meeting the commitments of today,” said Rayfield. “Everything we have accomplished in the last three years is a testament to the culture and the people of the Kansas City District who are living the Army values every day.”
Niewohner is a native of Norfolk, Nebraska. In 2000, he graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree and holds master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the U.S. Naval War College. His military education includes the Command and General Staff College, Engineer Captains Course, Engineer Officers Basic Course, Joint Engineer Operations Course, Defense Support to Civil Authorities Phase II Course, Mechanized Leader’s Course and Airborne School.
Niewohner’s new responsibilities include executing civil works, military construction and cleanup of hazardous, toxic and radiation waste, and emergency response programs, as well as oversight of roughly 1,000 federal employees.
Col. Andrew Niewohner, Kansas City District commander and district engineer, receives the colors from Brig. Gen. William Hannan, Jr., Northwestern Division commander, at the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Change of Command ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 25, 2024.
