Captain
Robert A. Buehn is a 1973 graduate of the University of Florida.
After working as a news reporter for The Stuart (FL) News, he
entered AOCS in February 1978 and was commissioned as an Ensign
in May 1978. He was designated a Naval Aviator on May 28, 1980
after completion of jet flight training in Meridian, Mississippi.
He reported to S-3A training at VS-41 in San Diego, California, and then joined VS-24 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida. During this time the squadron made two Mediterranean deployments in USS NIMITZ (CVN 69). Captain Buehn qualified as an Landing Signals Officer (LSO) and was awarded the first VS-24 Memorial Leadership Award.
He then served as a Fleet Replacement Squadron LSO at VS-41 from 1984 to 1986, followed by Air Wing LSO duty with Carrier Air Wing 14 aboard 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 Strait of Hormuz. He also cross-trained in the F-14.
In 1988, Captain Buehn was selected as Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific LSO, in charge of all fleet and FRS LSO programs in AIRPAC.
This was followed by service as Maintenance Officer in VS-28, embarked aboard USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) where Captain Buehn flew missions over northern Iraq during Operation Provide Comfort.
He attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1993 and then served as Chief Staff Officer to Commander, Sea Control Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet at NAS Cecil Field.
Captain Buehn assumed command of the VS-32 Maulers in 1995 and led the squadron on USS AMERICA’s (CV-66) final deployment during Bosnia operations in the Adriatic.
He was then selected as Executive Officer, USS CONSTELLATION and deployed to the Arabian Gulf in 1997. Captain Buehn reports to U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from the Navy Warfare Development Command in Newport, Rhode Island.
He has more than 4,500 flight hours and 860 carrier landings and has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Air Medal (Strike/Flight) and other personal and unit awards.