Colonel Robert R. Fairel assumed command of the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on July 31, 2026.
As District Commander, Col. Fairel oversees the Savannah District’s military and civil works programs valued at approximately $1 billion. The construction mission alone involves an extensive program at 11 Army and Air Force installations throughout Georgia and North Carolina. The civil works mission consists of wetland protection oversight for all of Georgia and management of three hydroelectric dams and reservoirs that provide more than half of the peaking hydropower supply in the Southeast region. He will also oversee the water resource mission for the entire Savannah River Basin, which is a freshwater resource for eastern Georgia and western South Carolina down to the Savannah Harbor. He will oversee work on Georgia’s second deep-water harbor in Brunswick. As commander, Sturgeon is also responsible for the district’s work in military design and master planning, and the district’s mission for hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste clean-up at formerly used defense sites and manages real estate activities for the Department of Defense. Further, the Savannah District functions as a resource in emergency operations in Georgia as well as other federal agencies.
Col. Fairel is from Rockmart, Georgia, and received his commission as an Engineer Officer from Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama in 2001. He has a Bachelor and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Jacksonville State University, Master of Science in Geological Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, Master of Science in Military Operational Art and Science from Air University, and Master of Science in Strategic Studies from U.S. Army War College. His military education includes Engineer Officer Basic Course, Armor Captains Career Course, Air Command and Staff College, and U.S. Army War College. Col. Fairel served in the United States Army Reserve from 1992-2001.
Col. Fairel has served in various operational and staff positions across the Engineer Regiment. Most recently, he served as the Command Engineer for U.S. Forces Command and U. S. Western Hemisphere Command Fort Bragg. He also commanded the 40th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Bliss. Prior assignments include TRADOC LNO to USAREUR Wiesbaden, Sidewinder Team Operations Group National Training Center Fort Irwin, Battalion S3/XO in 2nd Engineer Battalion White Sands Missile Range, Engineer Captains Course Small Group Leader Fort Leonard Wood, and Company Commander 15th Engineer Company, 19th Engineer Battalion Fort Knox.
He has deployed in the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait areas of operation.
His military awards and decorations include Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, and Parachutist Badge.