USCENTAF, 9th AF commander retires Published April 12, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- After more than 30 years in the Air Force, Lt. Gen. Walter Buchanan III, U.S. Central Command Air Forces and 9th Air Force commander, will enter civilian life. Gen. Buchanan will be succeeded by Maj. Gen. Gary North, currently the director of Operations, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, during a change-of-command ceremony at 10 a.m. Feb. 16 in Hangar 1614. Gen. Buchanan, a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours in the F-15C/D/E, F-4, OV-10, AT-38B and T-38, has been the CENTAF and 9th Air Force commander since August 2003. In 1972, Gen. Buchanan earned his bachelor's degree in life science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., followed by a master's degree in management from Troy State University. He is also a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.; a distinguished graduate from the Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.; Senior Executives in National and International Security, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.; and the National Security Leadership Course, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y. Gen. Buchanan has earned a Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with one oak leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.