Colonel Eric R. Swenson assumed command of USACE, New York District, on July 15, 2026. He is responsible for the Corps’ water resource development, navigation, and regulatory activities in northeastern New Jersey, eastern and south-central New York State, including the New York and New Jersey Harbor and Long Island, as well as areas of Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Colonel Swenson oversees the design and construction at U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force installations in New Jersey, New York, and Greenland. Colonel Swenson holds the title of Supervisor of the New York and New Jersey Harbor.
His previous assignments include deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division, commander and district engineer of USACE’s Little Rock District, as well as commander and district engineer of USACE’s St. Paul District. In addition to his time as a district engineer, Col. Swenson served as the Recovery Field Office commander for the 2025 Southern California wildfires recovery mission.
Col. Swenson has also served as a battalion commander, 1-345 Brigade Engineer Battalion, Camp Atterbury, Ind.; assistant professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.; battalion executive officer, 54th Engineer Battalion, Bamberg, Germany; assistant operations officer, 18th Engineer Brigade, forward deployed to Afghanistan; brigade engineer, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; commander, Company A, 70th Engineer Battalion, Fort Riley, Kan.; assistant operations officer, 937th Engineer Group, Fort Riley, Kan.; and company executive officer and platoon leader, 4th Engineer Battalion, Fort Carson, Colo.
He holds both a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from Penn State University; a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College; a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, and a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy.
Col. Swenson’s military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Armed Forces Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Army Parachutist Badge, and Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal.