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For nearly two decades, the Air Force Memorial's lighting system deteriorated to the point where the three spires were barely visible from the interstate. In February 2025, Baltimore District’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed a comprehensive lighting renovation funded entirely through donations to the Air Force Memorial Foundation.
"When you drive across 395, you couldn't even see the memorial at night because it was so dim," said Mary Cosler, who served as project engineer during the renovation. She now serves as resident engineer at Fort Belvoir. "This is one of the few projects I could call a family member about what I was working on, and they could picture it immediately."
The project replaced outdated incandescent fixtures with LED lights. Construction began in July 2022 after approximately six months of design approval.
The work addressed more than lighting. When crews lifted the granite stones, they found severely degraded electrical infrastructure.
"There were no boxes. Conduit was just all wires, which was not how it was originally installed. That was just how much water was infiltrating the space and wasn't draining properly," Cosler said.
That discovery revealed the extent of water damage beneath the memorial's surface. Without proper drainage, water had corroded electrical boxes and conduit over years of exposure. USACE installed trench drains beneath the plaza between the statue and memorial wall to prevent future water infiltration and protect the new lighting.
The underground work required careful execution on hallowed ground. Crews excavated beneath the granite stones, poured concrete foundations, installed trench drains and new conduit, and meticulously replaced each stone to its original position. The improved drainage system and properly installed electrical infrastructure ensure the lighting system's longevity while preserving the memorial's appearance.
"We were able to take care of all those issues," Cosler said of the corroded wiring and lack of drainage. The new lighting system covers fixtures at the base of each 270-foot spire, concealed lights behind the memorial walls, up-lighting for the stainless-steel spires, and pathway lighting throughout the grounds.
The memorial remained open to visitors throughout construction, requiring phased work schedules. The Air Force, using donor-specified funds, worked with USACE throughout the process.
"Everyone was anxious to get the project done, but we had a couple different site conditions and issues that took a while to resolve," Cosler said. "Everyone was able to work the process and understand that we would eventually deliver."
The design team remained consistent from fall 2021 through project completion in February 2025. When differing site conditions arose, they responded promptly. "They were always ready to come to the site, take a look at it, and they always had answers to us within a couple of days," Cosler said.
One USACE team member is married to an active-duty Air Force servicemember, adding personal connection to the project. "We could share and celebrate with her," Cosler said. "The team here was great in emphasizing why this memorial is important, what they celebrate—all the servicemen and women and their sacrifices that they've made."
The Air Force Memorial, dedicated on October 14, 2006, honors the service of all airmen in the U.S. Air Force and predecessor organizations. The three spires represent the Air Force's core values—Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do—as well as the total force of active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve.
Proper lighting ensures the memorial's symbolism remains visible to the public. The original lighting system lasted 19 years before requiring replacement. "We've delivered a product that will last for years;" Cosler said.
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.14.2025 12:22 |
| Story ID: | 550139 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District Project Brings Air Force Memorial Back into View, by Jeremy Todd, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
