David J. Buck

David J. Buck is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force. Prior to his retirement on February 1, 2018, Buck served as the commander of the 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command, and the Joint Force Space Component at Vandenberg Air Force Base.[1]

David J. Buck
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service1986–2018
Rank Lieutenant general
Commands held14th Air Force
Air Force Space Command
Joint Force Space Component
30th Space Wing
1st Space Launch Squadron

Air Force career edit

David Buck graduated summa cum laude with a degree in business administration from Newman University (Kansas). In 1986, he graduated from Air Force Officer Training School, and commissioned as a second lieutenant. From 1986 to 1991, he served as a missile combat crew commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He then served in the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Headquarters Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, and attended the College of Naval Command and Staff. He commanded the 1st Space Launch Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the 821st Air Base Group at Thule Air Base. He then served as the vice commander of the 30th Space Wing and the commander of the 50th Space Wing.[2] In 2010, Buck deployed for a year to direct Air Force Central Command space forces in southwest Asia. After serving as the vice command of the Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, he served as the Director of Operation and the Vice Commander for Air Force Space Command. In August 2015, he assumed command of the 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command, and the Joint Force Space Component. He retired on February 1, 2018.[1][3]

Awards and decorations edit

Command Space Operations Badge
Senior Cyberspace Operator Badge
Command Missile Operations Badge
United States Strategic Command Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver oak leaf cluster
Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with "A" (Arctic) device
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster[1]

Effective dates of promotion edit

InsigniaRankDate
Lieutenant generalAug 14, 2015
Major generalAug 8, 2014
Brigadier generalMay 6, 2011
ColonelJuly 1, 2005
Lieutenant colonelMay 1, 2000
MajorAug 1, 1996
CaptainJune 10, 1990
First lieutenantJune 10, 1988
Second lieutenantJune 10, 1986

[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Lieutenant General David J. Buck". Biographies. United States Air Force. February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  2. ^ Preston, Ben (August 3, 2008). "Meet Colonel Buck, Our New Space Wing Commander". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  3. ^ "The Man Behind US Space Operations". Space Daily. October 30, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
Military offices
Preceded by Director of Space Forces of the United States Air Forces Central Command
2010–2011
Succeeded by
Vice Commander of the Air Force Warfare Center
2011–2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations of the Air Force Space Command
2013–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Commander of the Air Force Space Command
2014–2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Fourteenth Air Force and Joint Functional Component Command for Space
2015–2017
Unit redesignated