Clawed six-star general cracks down on Buckley

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emily E. Amyotte
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Editor's note: The public affairs office was able to get this interview with the assistance of a translator fluent in Panther. However, the interview was difficult due to Buck Lee having very little to say.

Standing 8 feet tall with a permanent toothy grimace, he's unnerving. Acting as an older-brother-like figure, he prowls through the shadows of Buckley Air Force Base.

From correcting Team Buckley members to being a friendly face around base, Buckley's very own six-star Gen. Buck Lee, 460th Space Wing director of morale and enforcement, encourages Team Buckley to stay on track with their customs and courtesies, Air Force priorities, and spirit de corps, all with a smile of their face.

"I'm just looking out for Buckley," Buck Lee said via translator.

Along with raising morale, Lee's role on Buckley is to keep an eye on Airmen, correct the errors and educate them on the right things to do.

"I'm always watching," Buck Lee said abruptly.

Many see the way in which Buck Lee corrects these mistakes as extreme. He's been known for appearing out of nowhere, making swift corrections and vanishing as quickly as he came.

"I made the mistake of trying to pretend like I didn't see the commander's car driving towards me," said an anonymous Airman. "All of a sudden, I turned back around and Buck Lee was just standing there with this evil glare. I knew I made a mistake. I don't remember what happened after that."

Buck Lee, however, doesn't see this form of correction as being extreme.

"I'm not hurting anyone," Buck Lee said. "Well, not bad."

Before making his appearance on Buckley's videos and social media pages, Buck Lee lived his life roaming the rainforests with his wife Bucklina. Buck Lee makes occasional visits to see his wife, but he makes sure that his mind stays on his career.

"He writes me and tells me of all the matters he gets himself into on Buckley," Bucklina said. "I do miss him dearly, but I know he's well and he's making a positive impact."

Buck Lee started his military career young. When he was just a little cub, Buck Lee commissioned in the Air Force, and on his first day he was promoted to captain.

His discipline and tenacity were key factors in his ability to quickly climb the ranks.

"Yeah," Buck Lee said, "I ranked up pretty quick."

The method of punishment ... ahem, correction ... is out of love for the service members and civilians who serve the Armed Forces, Buck Lee said.

Nor is he only known as an enforcer; he is also a friendly face that can be seen cheering on his favorite Buckley teams, giving out high-fives at First Fridays and is always ready to make Airmen laugh and smile.

"Yeah," he admitted. "I care about this base. I guess I like the people, too."

 

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