Buckley judge advocate wins Air Force award

  • Published
  • By the 460th Space Wing Staff Judge Advocate Office
Many Team Buckley members have long known that Mr. Brad Buchanan is a great source of legal advice on a broad spectrum of subjects ranging from labor and fiscal law to environmental issues and legal assistance.

Now, the rest of the Air Force finally knows as well. Mr. Buchanan was recently awarded the James O. Wrightson, Jr. Award as the United States Air Force's outstanding civilian attorney for 2005.

His accomplishments as Chief of the Employment and Government Contract Law, include partnering with state legislators to create a bill changing the legislative jurisdiction dealing with Buckley's privatized housing area.

Mr. Buchanan also had a hand in more than one hundred legal reviews for contracts with cumulative awards of over $28 million, directly impacting the execution of 460th Space Wing operations.

As counsel for the base's $75 million military housing privatization project being constructed and managed by a private developer, he provided critical advice to the asset manager and management review committee.

A prolific author, Mr. Buchanan has written more than sixty-five legal reviews dealing with employment law, fiscal law, administrative law and miscellaneous legal issues. Providing unmatched legal advice, Mr. Buchanan saw three hundred and forty-nine legal assistance clients.

Finally, he served in countless advisory roles - from investigations to planning and programming forums - providing sound legal guidance to wing, group and squadron commanders.

"Mr. Buchanan is an invaluable asset to the legal office and particularly this wing--we would just be treading water on many issues without him," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Palmer, wing Staff Judge Advocate. "It really should come as no surprise that the Air Force now recognizes what Brad Buchanan brings to the table, in terms of zealously representing Air Force interests."

Mr. Buchanan and his wife will be honored at a formal dinner during the annual Judge Advocate General Summit, to be held in Atlanta this fall.