New vice commander lives the dream

  • Published
  • By Capt. Candice Allen
  • 301st Fighter Wing
NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas --  Many people keep their most precious items close.  Those items reveal a lot about them.

For Col. Robert Buchanan, the new vice commander of the 301st Fighter Wing here, one of those precious items is a letter he received from the mother of a boy with spinal bifida who became "pilot of the day" in June 2011 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

"This is what it means to serve," Buchanan said pointing to the letter. 

The letter thanks Buchanan and his Airmen for renewing their faith in kind people.
Putting on his flight suit and serving is Buchanan's way of giving back.

"I provide for my family through my civilian job," said Buchanan, who has been a commercial pilot with United Airlines since 1998. "But my military job is my opportunity to give back."

Buchanan was introduced to the military through his uncle, a fighter pilot in the Air National Guard at the time.

"He was living the life I wanted," he said. "Now I'm living the life."

Buchanan, who grew up in upstate New York, didn't know how to achieve that life at the time.

"It was between Norte Dame and the Air Force Academy," Buchanan said. He chose the Academy and has been living the dream ever since.

In recalling his 26-year military career, the memories of Sept. 11, 2001 stand out.

"After 9/11, my proudest moments were getting a chance to fly over Afghanistan, kill the enemies, and fight for our country."

Buchanan was an instructor pilot at the 302nd Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in 2001. Eight years later, Buchanan arrived at the 301st Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M., shortly after the unit stood up and received its first F-22s.

"I was offered the chance to fly F-22s," recalls Buchanan.

And, nodding his head up and down and with a huge grin, Buchanan follows with, "And I said 'uh-huh.'"

In 2014, he received a call from Col. John Breazeale, 301 FW commander, asking him to be the wing's next vice commander. And, again nodding his head up and down and with a huge smile, Buchanan follows with, "And I said 'uh-huh.'"

So, as he sits in the vice commander's chair one, Buchanan explains what he hopes to learn in this new position.

"I hope to learn how I can help others be successful," Buchanan said. "People have helped me in my career and I've been successful because of it."

"Integrity" was the one-word advice Buchanan received earlier in his career.

"Always do the right thing even when no one's watching."

And, with framed pictures of his family on his desk, his children's drawings tacked to the wall, and that letter in his hand, Buchanan is glad to be part of the 301st.

"I'm just a kid living the dream."