WIESBADEN, Germany —
On Friday, the commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, General Christopher Donahue, presented the 2026 Secretary of the Army Environmental Award for Environmental Quality to the USAREUR-AF Environmental Branch of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineer.
The award is the Army’s highest honor for outstanding environmental leadership and achievement in mission-focused environmental program management. Earning this recognition highlighted the team's five-year strategic plan, which goes beyond mere compliance and treats environmental performance as a "force multiplier" for the Army's warfighting readiness mission.
The recognized Environmental Branch consists of just three Army civilians who manage environmental planning and compliance across an area of responsibility spanning more than 100 countries across three continents. Despite a high operational tempo, the team played a critical role in strategic force repositioning, particularly in facilitating NATO military aid to Ukraine through the U.S. logistics hub in Jasionka, Poland. Throughout the hub's operation and subsequent closure, the team provided consistent environmental support, managed baseline and closure surveys, and ensured the proper disposal of hazardous waste.
“The USAREUR-AF Environmental Team excels in setting conditions that alleviate future friction,” said Col. Brian Sawser, USAREUR-AF’s deputy chief of staff – engineer. “I could not be more proud of this small team of professionals and how they have cultivated relationships across three continents to produce real, invaluable results. Their work creates conditions that benefit the readiness of warfighters.”
In addition to their operational support, the team spearheaded several initiatives that saved resources and strengthened international partnerships. They secured a hazardous waste management partnership with Polish allies that saves U.S. taxpayers over $3 million annually, and they are currently leading a multi-year effort to make water systems in U.S. Army Garrison Poland potable to reduce reliance on single-use plastics. The branch also published Final Governing Standards for two countries and developed a cross-service U.S.-Poland Memorandum of Understanding for Environmental Matters that now serves as a broader template for United States European Command.
To ensure deploying units understand complex theater requirements, the branch completely overhauled the existing 40-hour Environmental Officer training into a streamlined 24-hour curriculum specifically designed for deployed operations.
“It’s truly an honor to work alongside such talented, knowledgeable, and committed professionals and to have the team’s efforts and impacts recognized at this level,” said Mike Tillemas, USAREUR-AF’s environmental chief. “This award reinforces our commitment and drive to support USAREUR-AF’s compliance and conservation, readiness and resilience, and sustainability and success.”
The team was presented with a commemorative plaque during the event, officially cementing their position at the forefront of the Army’s effort to protect human health, safety, and operational excellence around the globe.