**TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla.—**Before he even understood the engineering behind it, Stephen Sewell loved to build. From an early age, models, forts and nearly anything that required instructions caught his attention.
As he aged, he excelled at math and science, making engineering a perfect fit.
“My parents always said I would spend hours in my room building things as a kid,” said Sewell.
He earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Memphis.
Today, Sewell is the area engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, where he leads a team responsible for delivering critical military construction projects. He leads a team responsible for delivering critical military construction projects that help the...
02.27.2026 | TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, OKLAHOMA, US |
Story by Stacey Reese
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District has extended the public comment period for the Keystone Master Plan Draft Supplement to Feb. 23, 2026.
TULSA, OK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced that State Highway 151 will be restricted to one lane of traffic over Keystone Dam from Feb.13 through March 9, 2026.
Stephen Sewell, area engineer, Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Matt Martinez, project manager with SGS Design Build, discuss progress on the roadway and supporting infrastructure for the commercial vehicle inspection facility at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Feb. 18, 2026.
The facility will serve as the single point of entry for all commercial vehicles entering the installation. The project includes a security control center, enclosed inspection station for large commercial vehicles, overwatch facility, roadways and supporting infrastructure. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Stacey Reese/released)
Just hours before the Jan. 23 Winter Storm hit Tulsa and surrounding areas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District Senior Controller, Nick Hicks was on duty, waiting for the call to activate hydropower units if power was needed from the Fort Gibson Powerhouse in Fort Gibson, Okla.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District powerhouse personnel are responsible for maintaining and activating hydropower units when the grid needs peak power.
Fort Gibson is one of eight Tulsa District powerhouses that can provide peak power to the electric grid in 15 minutes or less. Their efforts help ensure municipalities and end users have electricity when demand is highest.
