U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District Welcomes New Commander > Great Lakes-Ohio River Division > Press Releases

Lt. Col. Robert Burnham, a native of Beaufort, South Carolina, and veteran of the war in Afghanistan, assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, July 18.

Burnham will lead more than 300 district team members responsible for projects at 16 commercial and 19 recreational ports on the Great Lakes, directing the Radiological Waste Design Center for the USACE Great Lakes-Ohio River Division, operating the Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area and the historic Black Rock Lock, and numerous other roles across an area of ​​responsibility of more than 38,000 square miles.

“The Buffalo District has long embodied the values ​​of service, integrity, and innovation. As we celebrate this transition, we celebrate our past accomplishments and reaffirm our commitment to excellence in the future. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Lt. Col. Milliman for his exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication. His commitment and tireless efforts have had a significant impact on the Buffalo District and the Great Lakes-Ohio River Division,” said Division Commander Maj. Gen. Mark C. Quander. “As we look to the future, we will continue to build stronger, smarter, more resilient communities throughout the Great Lakes-Ohio River Division. We are excited to welcome Lt. Col. Burnham and are confident in his leadership to guide the Buffalo District to new heights. We anticipate continued success and innovation under his command, ensuring the lasting legacy of the United States Corps of Engineers.”

Burnham succeeded Lt. Col. Lyle Milliman, a native of Leon, New York, and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Milliman served as district commander since April 2024 and as deputy district commander for three years prior to that.

“I am extremely honored and excited to have the opportunity to join a world-class organization like the Buffalo District,” said Burnham. “I look forward to continuing the great work that Lt. Col. Milliman and the District provide to our communities and stakeholders. I can’t wait to get to work!”

Burnham took over from Milliman in a formal change of command ceremony at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. The change of command is an Army tradition that dates back to before the Civil War and emphasizes continuity of command and unit identity despite changes in individual authority from one officer to another.

“I commend the Buffalo District employees for their commitment to excellence, innovative engineering solutions and relentless focus on our mission. The impact that the Buffalo District has had and will continue to have on the communities it serves will be felt for years to come,” Milliman said. “The District is in great hands with Lt. Col. Burnham and I am confident that under his leadership, the Buffalo District will continue to enjoy great success and make significant contributions to our nation’s infrastructure and environmental stewardship.”

Photos of the ceremony are available at:

About Lieutenant Colonel Robert Burnham

Lieutenant Colonel Burnham previously served as Deputy Commander, Base Support Group, NATO Allied Land Command in Izmir, Turkey.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Citadel Military College and a Master of Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology. He is a Certified Project Management Professional.

Burnham deployed to Afghanistan as a combat advisor attached to the 82nd Airborne Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2008 to 2009.

Burnham has served in various capacities within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including as project manager for the USACE Galveston District from 2014 to 2016 and deputy commander of the USACE Wilmington District from 2020 to 2023.

Burnham’s full biography is available at: https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/About/Leadership/Article/3841476/robert-m-burnham/

About Lt. Col. Lyle Milliman

Lt. Col. Lyle R. Milliman assumed the role of Buffalo District Commander on April 24, 2024 after serving as the district’s Deputy Commander.

Milliman is a native of Leon, New York and received his commission in May 2006 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. In addition to his commission, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He holds a master’s degree in engineering management from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Missouri and a project management professional.

His first assignment was with the 92nd Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, from December 2006 to June 2009, where he served as a platoon leader (Iraq, 2007), battalion plans officer, and company executive officer. He then served with the 18th Engineer Brigade at Tompkins Barracks, Germany, from June 2010 to June 2013. He served as a construction management officer, engineer equipment officer, company commander for the 111th Engineer Battalion, Forward Support Company (Afghanistan, 2011-2012), and company commander for the 18th Engineer Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Company. He subsequently served as an instructor and adjunct professor in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at West Point from July 2015 to June 2018.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Bronze Fleury Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Army Air Assault Badge.

Milliman is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, West Point’s Basic Officer Leadership Course, the Engineer Captain Career Course, and the Command and General Staff College.

His deployments include Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

His publications include: Shear Behavior of Steel Fiber Reinforced Prestressed Concrete Hollow Core Slabs, PCI Journal, July-August 2017; Validation of High-Fidelity Finite Element Analysis of Prestressed Concrete, PCI Journal, September-October 2019.

The Buffalo District provides world-class engineering solutions to the Great Lakes region, the military and the nation to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resource management and emergency assistance in peace and war.