David Buss (United States Navy)

David H. Buss[1] (born February 18, 1956) is a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and a retired[2] vice admiral of the United States Navy. His last assignment was as Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific in San Diego, California, a position also known as the Navy's "Air Boss."[3][4] Prior to taking command as the "Air Boss," Buss served as the Deputy Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. He also commanded Task Force 20 (formerly United States Second Fleet), where he was responsible for training and certifying all Atlantic Fleet naval forces for overseas deployment. A career Naval Flight Officer, Buss served in multiple jet squadrons and staff assignments, and has commanded at every level of the navy from commander to vice admiral.

David H. Buss
Born (1956-02-18) February 18, 1956 (age 68)
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1978–2015
RankVice Admiral
CommandsNaval Air Forces
Task Force 20
Carrier Strike Group 12
USS John C. Stennis
USS Sacramento (AOE-1)
Attack Squadron 34
Battles / warsGulf War
Iraq War
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (5)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal

Buss was succeeded as Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific by Vice Admiral Mike Shoemaker in January 2015.[2]

Educational background

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Previous assignments

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Buss commanded the A-6 Intruder squadron, Attack Squadron 34 (1995–96); the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE-1) (2000–01); the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) (2003–06); and Carrier Strike Group 12, the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (2009–10).

Buss also served in Baghdad, Iraq (2008–09) as Director, Strategy/Plans/Assessments (J-5) for Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I) where he oversaw the planning effort for the initial troop draw down from the height of the 2007–08 surge.

Awards and decorations

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Buss is authorized to wear the following:[3]

Badges
  Naval Flight Officer insignia
U.S. military decorations
Navy Distinguished Service Medal with a gold award star
Legion of Merit with 4 gold award stars
Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat V
  Bronze Star Medal
  Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with a gold award star
       Air Medal with Combat V, 3 individual gold stars and Strike/Flight numerals "4"
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V and four gold award stars
  Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy Unit Commendation with a bronze service star
  Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
  Navy "E" Ribbon (awarded three times)
  Navy Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal with a bronze service star
  Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with a bronze star
  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  Armed Forces Service Medal
Sea Service Ribbon with six bronze service stars
Non-U.S. service medals
  NATO Medal
Foreign military decorations
  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

References

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  1. ^ "The Hook – Journal of Carrier Aviation"[permanent dead link] Tailhook Association. Vol.40, Number 3. Published Fall 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Naval Air Forces Holds Change of Command". U.S. Naval Air Forces. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Steele, Jeanette (17 April 2012). "Pentagon names Navy's next 'air boss'". U-T San Diego. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  4. ^ The U.S. Navy's Newest Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), 2015-05-31.
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