David J. Buck
David J. Buck | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1986–2018 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Commands | 14th Air Force Air Force Space Command Joint Force Space Component 30th Space Wing 1st Space Launch Squadron |
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]
Air Force career
David Buck graduated summa cum laude with a degree in business administration from Kansas Newman College. 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
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Command Space Operations Badge |
 
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Senior Cyberspace Operator Badge |
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Master Missile Operations Badge |
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United States Strategic Command Badge |
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Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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Defense Superior Service Medal |
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Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Bronze Star Medal |
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
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Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Joint Service Commendation Medal |
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Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
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Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver oak leaf cluster |
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Organizational Excellence Award |
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Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters |
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National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |
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Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
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Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with "A" (Arctic) device |
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Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster |
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NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon |
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Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon |
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Air Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster[1] |
Effective dates of promotion
| Rank | Date |
|---|---|
 Second lieutenant
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June 10, 1986 |
 First lieutenant
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June 10, 1988 |
 Captain
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June 10, 1990 |
 Major
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August 1, 1996 |
 Lieutenant colonel
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May 1, 2000 |
 Colonel
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July 1, 2005 |
 Brigadier general
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May 6, 2011 |
 Major general
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August 8, 2014 |
 Lieutenant general
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August 14, 2015 |
References
- ^ a b c d "Lieutenant General David J. Buck". Biographies. United States Air Force. February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
- ^ Preston, Ben (August 3, 2008). "Meet Colonel Buck, Our New Space Wing Commander". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
- ^ "The Man Behind US Space Operations". Space Daily. October 30, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2019.