08/25/2026
MOURNING THE LOSS OF TWO POD MEMBERS
We mourn the loss of our teammates, Sabrina Hansen and Hayden Scalis, Alaska District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees killed in a plane crash in Western Alaska.
These individuals represented the very best of our mission team, working together to ensure the operational readiness of our critical remote sites.
Both serving within the district’s Engineering Division, Hansen worked as a fire protection engineer and Scalis as a mechanical engineer. They were on official duty conducting a routine project site visit in support of the U.S. Air Force.
“We mourn the tragic loss of our selfless teammates. They were public servants and true professionals, dedicated to securing our nation,” said Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham, 56th Chief of Engineers and USACE commanding general. “Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues during this time of immeasurable loss.”
“Our district family carries a heavy burden with the loss of our colleagues, Sabrina and Hayden,” said Col. Victor Trujillo II, Alaska District commander. “We will continue to support and mourn alongside their families, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this tragedy.”
The USACE-chartered flight with Security Aviation crashed at Cape Newenham on Aug. 20 with eight personnel on board. The nature of their mission at the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site was to inspect and perform maintenance on a new fire suppression system.
The crash is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. The Alaska State Troopers will release the names of the non-Department of War affiliated persons.
|U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Headquarters | U.S. Army | US Army Corps of Engineers Far East District | Honolulu District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | Japan District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
