Captain Buchanan graduated from the University of Southern California NROTC June 1954, was commissioned and reported for flight training receiving his wings in September 1955. Assigned to VA-115 at NAS Miramar and made two WESTPAC cruises— USS Essex (CV-9) and USS Shangri-la (CV-38). Was then ordered to the first VA Fleet Replacement Squadron (VA-122) as Training Officer, stationed at NAS North Island instructing in Skyraiders and upon completion of that duty, in August 1960, reported to the Naval Intelligence School Anacostia, Maryland, thence to the Taiwan Defense Command (J-2) as the CHICOM Naval Analyst. In July 1964 reported to VA-125 for jet transition thence to VA-22. After a short tour on USS Midway (CV-41) was designated to Group 2 where upon was ordered to VA-127 as an Instrument Instructor until January 1966, to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 10 (Fleet Replacement Squadron) at NAS Imperial Beach for transition into the SH-3D. Reported to HS-4 as Operations Officer, making one deployment to WESTPAC embarked in the USS Yorktown (CVS-10 ) (Participated in the Pueblo Incident). Following a tour at the Naval War College ’68-’69, reported as Executive Officer then Commanding Officer of HS-2 making the first West Coast helicopter squadron to deploy on a CV, the USS Independence (CV-62 ) cruising the Mediterranean Sea (Thatch Award, Battle E, Isbell Award). Reported to the USS Tripoli (LPH-10) as Operations Officer deployed to WESTPAC supporting operations off North Vietnam followed by Command of HS-10 in March 1973. Then after a short tour as Operations Officer, Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Pacific, was ordered to Command of Helicopter Sea Control Wing ONE station at NAS Norfolk. Upon completion of CO Indoctrination took Command of the USS Mobile (LKA-115) in February 1977 making one WESTPAC deployment, followed by attending the Senior Officer’s Material Readiness Course at Idaho Falls in preparation for taking Command of the USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH-11) November 1978. A short tour as Operations Officer, Fleet Training Group, San Diego, reported as Operations Officer, then Chief of Staff, Commander Anti-Submarine Wing, Pacific, retiring after 30 years Naval service in July 1984.

Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (Combat V) (3), and other various campaign and service medals. 496 carrier landings-4500 hours.

Joined DynCorp as Operations Officer for the Southern California Offshore Range (SCORE) in June1985, followed by Division Manager until June 1994.