Buehn retires after 30 years of service

During the ceremony, Buehn was honored by former and current military members that he served with throughout his career. Military guests included Adm. James Stavridis, Rear Adm. James Stevenson, Rear Adm. Frank Pandolfe, fellow Commander Destroyer Cruiser Group 12 personnel and numerous former shipmates.

Also, in attendance were junior officers that Buehn has mentored, including Air Force Second Lt. Kasey Merritt, Air Force Academy Cadet 4/C Chelsea Agee, U.S. Military Academy Cadet 3/C Jesse Hughes and his son, Naval Academy 2/C Midshipman Tim Buehn.

Stavridis served as guest speaker. "I have been a shipmate of BB Buehn's for 22 years and BB and I were together on board USS Constellation. We have known each other a long, long time. He is an exceptional shipmate and an exceptional person."

Buehn summarized his career with the saying, "It's not how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breat away."

Capt. Robert Buehn presents his son, Naval Academy Third Class Midshipman Tim Buehn with his sword following his retirement ceremony.

"I have to thank the Navy for giving me many breathtaking moments. Like every night career landing, going through the Straits of Hormuz, seeing the Northern Lights from the flight deck or flying in clouds and ice," remarked Buehn. "Some of the breathtaking moments didn't involve flying, like calling a young Airman to tell him that he was advanced to petty officer or calling a junior officer to tell him that a baby had been born while deployed."

Buehn is a 1973 graduate of the University of Florida. After working as a news reporter for The Stuart News he entered AOCS in February 1978 and was commissioned an ensign in May 1978. He was designated a naval aviator May 28, 1980 after completion of jet flight training in Meridian, Miss.

He reported to S-3A training at VS-41 in San Diego and then joined VS-24 at NAS Cecil Field. During this time the squadron made two Mediterranean deployments on board USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Buehn qualified as a landing signal officer (LSO) and was awarded the first VS-24 Memorial Leadership Award.

He served as a fleet replacement squadron (FRS) LSO at VS-41 from 1984-86, followed by air wing LSO duty with Carrier Air Wing 14 on board USS Constellation (CV-64). This included a Northern Pacific deployment and Western Pacific/Indian Ocean deployment and participation in Operation Earnest Will, escorting oil tankers through the Straits of Hormuz.He also cross-trained in the F-14.

In 1988, Buehn was selected as commander, Naval Air Force Pacific LSO, in charge of all fleet and FRS LSO programs at AIRPAC. This was followed by a tour as maintenance officer with VS-28, embarked on board USS Forrestal (CV-59) where he flew missions over Northern Iraq during Operation Provide Comfort.

He attended the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. in 1993 and then served as chief staff officer to Commander, Sea Control Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet at NAS Cecil Field.

Buehn assumed command of the VS-32 "Maulers" in 1995 and led the squadron on board USS America's (CV-66) final deployment during Bosnia operations in the Adriatic. He was then selected as USS Constellation's executive officer and deployed to the Arabian Gulf in 1997.

Following that tour, he helped establish the new Navy Warfare Development Command in Newport, R.I. Buehn next served as commanding officer, U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from May 2000 to March 2003, which included the establishment of Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

He then served as chief of staff for Commander, Carrier Strike Group 14, deploying to the North Arabian Gulf on board USS Enterprise during Summer Pulse '04, the first test of the Navy's Fleet Response Plan.

Buehn assumed command of Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Jax March 17, 2005.