Fort Buchanan (Puerto Rico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids FORT BUCHANAN |
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|---|---|
| Guaynabo, Puerto Rico | |
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| Type | U.S. Army Garrison |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1923 |
| In use | 1923–Present |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Charles N. Moulton |
| Garrison | 1st Mission Support Command |
United States Army Garrison Fort Buchanan is a special place for the United States Army in Puerto Rico. It's located near San Juan, the capital city. This base helps support soldiers, their families, and veterans who live in the area.
Contents
History of Fort Buchanan
Puerto Rico was once part of the Spanish Empire for many years. This changed after the Spanish–American War in 1898. American forces arrived in Puerto Rico, and soon after, Spain gave Puerto Rico to the United States.
The Puerto Rico Regiment
In 1899, a special group called "The Puerto Rico Regiment of Infantry, United States Army" was created. A few years later, in 1901, Lieutenant Colonel James Anderson Buchanan took charge of this regiment. He was later promoted to general. Fort Buchanan was named after him because of his important work in Puerto Rico.
From Camp to Fort
The Puerto Rico Regiment became known as the 65th Infantry Regiment in 1920. They had helped protect the Panama Canal during World War I. To give the regiment a place to train, about 300 acres of land near San Juan Bay were bought. This area became "Camp Buchanan" in 1923. It was used for target practice and training by the U.S. Army and National Guard until 1939.
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In May 1940, Camp Buchanan was officially renamed Fort Buchanan. It grew much larger, covering about 4,500 acres. During World War II, Fort Buchanan was a very busy place. It stored supplies for the Army and helped prepare local soldiers for deployment. The base had piers, places to store ammunition, and a large railroad system. This railroad connected the base to the Port of San Juan, making it easy to move supplies and soldiers.
Many Puerto Rican soldiers who fought in World War II and the Korean War started their journeys from Fort Buchanan. After World War II, the base became smaller, reaching its current size of 746 acres. Fort Buchanan continued to be an important center for supplies and personnel until 1966. After that, it was managed by the United States Navy for a few years.
Later, in 1971, the U.S. Army took control of Fort Buchanan again. Over the years, its management changed a few times. In 2006, it became a garrison under the United States Army Installation Management Command. Today, it is part of the United States Northern Command's area of operations.
In 2009, there was an explosion at a nearby oil company. This caused some minor damage and a few injuries at Fort Buchanan. In 2017, after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, Fort Buchanan became a central hub for recovery efforts. Soldiers from all over the United States came to the base to help with emergency relief. Many received awards for their efforts.
Fort Buchanan Today
Today, United States Army Garrison Fort Buchanan covers about 746 acres. It is a very valuable property, worth around $560 million. The base serves a large community of about 130,000 people. This includes military members, their families, retired soldiers, veterans, and civilian workers.
Fort Buchanan is home to many different groups. Most of them are part of the United States Armed Forces Reserve Component. For example, the main office for the 1st Mission Support Command of the United States Army Reserve is located here.
The base also hosts other organizations that help soldiers and their families. These include banks like Pentagon Federal Credit Union and Banco Popular. It also supports agencies like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Armed Forces Reserve Center
The Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC) at Fort Buchanan is a place where different Army Reserve units train. It also hosts the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the Puerto Rico National Guard Recruiting and Retention Division. This center helps about 400 military personnel train regularly, with up to 250 members training each weekend. It was named after Major General (Ret) Felix A. Santoni.
Puerto Rico National Guard Headquarters
A large, new building for the Puerto Rico National Guard has been built at Fort Buchanan. This Readiness Center helps the National Guard with training, maintenance, and emergency operations. It even has a helipad for helicopters! This center will be named after Master Sergeant Juan E. Negrón, a Korean War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient.
New Army Reserve Facility
In February 2024, a brand new Army Reserve building opened at Fort Buchanan. This large facility is now home to 17 different Army Reserve units.
After the Naval Station Roosevelt Roads closed in 2004, the United States Navy Reserve moved its operations to Fort Buchanan. This center, called the Navy Operations Support Center Puerto Rico, was named after Admiral Horacio Rivero Jr. in 2017.
What's at Fort Buchanan?
Fort Buchanan has many facilities to support the people who live and work there:
- Schools: There are three Department of Defense Education Activity schools: Antilles Elementary, Middle, and High School.
- Housing: Two areas provide homes for military families.
- Shopping and Food: The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) runs a Post Exchange (PX) for shopping, a gas station, and a food court with places like Burger King, Subway, and Starbucks.
- Services: You can find a barber shop, beauty shop, optical shop, and laundry services.
- Recreation: There's a bowling center, a golf course, a skate park, and a sports and fitness center.
- Health and Wellness: The Rodriguez Army Health Clinic provides medical care, and there's a Veterinary Services clinic.
- Other Facilities: The base also has a library, a post office, a chapel, and various offices that help with military pay and personnel.
Notable People from Fort Buchanan
Some interesting people have connections to Fort Buchanan:
- Douglas Domenech - He became an Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior. He graduated from Antilles High School at Fort Buchanan in 1973.
- Cesar Rodriguez - A retired U.S. Air Force pilot who flew in the Gulf War. He graduated from Antilles High School in 1977.
- Eurípides Rubio - A U.S. Army captain who received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Vietnam War. He joined the Army at Fort Buchanan.
- Frances M. Vega - The first Puerto Rican female soldier to die in combat in the Iraq War. She graduated from Antilles High School in 2001. Gate #1 at Fort Buchanan is named in her honor.
- Marcos Berríos - An aerospace engineer and pilot who served in the War in Afghanistan. He was chosen to be a NASA astronaut candidate. He graduated from Antilles High School in 1997.
Images for kids
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Ft. Buchanan Fourth of July Celebration, 2006
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Water Spout Aquatics Center
