In the aftermath of a disaster, effective coordination and communication are crucial for recovery. Under a mission assignment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was tasked with executing debris removal in support of Los Angeles County’s January 2025 wildfire recovery efforts.
As part of the recovery process, USACE establishes an Emergency Field Office. The EFO serves as the central hub for operations, where team members collaborate with local stakeholders, oversee quality assurance and manage daily recovery tasks.
Capt. Sheldon T. Tausch, the first battle captain on the ground at the EFO in Pacific Palisades, played a key role in coordinating recovery efforts for the Malibu and Pacific Palisades communities. As a battle captain, Tausch ensures information flows smoothly up and down the chain of command, while resources and personnel are managed efficiently to keep operations on track.
Though battle captains often work behind the scenes, their role is critical. Tausch helped establish the processes now followed by all subsequent battle captains, working closely with Col. Brian D. Sawser, the EFO-Palisades commander, to ensure mission success.
“I remember getting a call from Col. Sawser one afternoon, and he asked, ‘You ready to go to California?’ And I haven’t looked back since,” Tausch said.
As a battle captain, Tausch maintains operational awareness, tracks mission progress, and makes critical decisions that drive recovery efforts. Though this is his first disaster recovery deployment, his background in military operational planning has proven invaluable in navigating the mission’s complexities.
“Our Chief of Engineers depends on leaders in the field to get the engineering, project management and business right. We do this by working with our prime contractor to sufficiently design our workflows, provide a realistic timeline to the displaced residents and continue to hit periods of performance through detailed planning, scheduling and accurate execution.”
The challenges of disaster recovery require more than operational knowledge. Tausch’s military career has equipped him with leadership, critical thinking, and decision-making skills—essential tools for solving complex problems efficiently.
“From day one, I didn’t know what to expect,” said Tausch. “We’ve seen entire neighborhoods—homes, businesses, families—severely impacted. But missions like this are what the Corps does best. We have decades of experience that allows us to think critically and solve complex problems safely and efficiently.”
Tausch’s work goes beyond logistics and planning; it centers on helping people move forward, rebuilding lives and fostering resilience in the face of overwhelming loss. He stresses the importance of restoring normalcy for those affected.
“It’s not just about shifting supplies,” he explained. “It’s about those moments—helping a family find their footing again. That’s the heart of what we do, it’s why we keep pushing so hard, and that is how we can move so fast.”
Through his efforts, Tausch exemplifies the profound impact of a battle captain—not just coordinating the clearing of properties, but also engaging with homeowners, answering their questions and reigniting hope in the communities he serves.
Social Sharing