Capt. Andrew Buduo III will assume command of Indian Head Division (IHDIV), Naval Surface Warfare Center, in a formal ceremony aboard Naval Support Facility Indian Head on Nov. 13. Buduo reports to Indian Head from his most recent tour as Commander, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division.
Buduo relieves Capt. Neil Stubits, who has commanded IHDIV since June 2006. The change of command also marks Capt. Stubits’ retirement and completion of 27 years of active-duty service.
A native of Massachusetts, Buduo completed a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics from St. Lawrence University, and subsequently received his commission upon graduation from Aviation Officer Candidate School in October 1984.
Buduo earned his Naval Aviator’s wings in March 1986 and reported to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 12 (HM-12) for flight training in the RH-53D airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter.
Upon completion of the Fleet Replacement Squadron pipeline in April 1987, he reported to his first Fleet squadron, HM-14, where he served as Aircraft Division Officer and Staff Mine Warfare (Tactics) Officer. During his tour, he deployed onboard USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7) and USS Okinawa (LPH 3) in support of Operation Earnest Will - the “Tanker War“ of 1987⁄88.
Subsequently, he reported to the Coastal Systems Station, Panama City, Fla., where he served as a project pilot and the Air Unit's aviation safety officer. In April 1993, he reported onboard USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3), and served in a number of billets within the Air Department, eventually working his way up to Mini Boss. As the Mini Boss he participated in Operation United Shield - the final withdrawal of coalition forces from Somalia during March 1995.
Following his ship tour, Buduo reported to the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, where he completed one year of instruction and earned his Joint Professional Military Education Phase I qualification. After completing refresher flight training with Helicopter Marine Training Squadron 302 (HMT-302), he returned to HM-14, serving as safety officer and aircraft maintenance officer.
After finishing his department head tour in November 1998, Buduo reported to the Airborne Mine Defense Program Office (PMS 210). He served as an assistant program manager for Fleet support, deputy for operations, and APM for logistics. In May 2002, he moved to the Chief of Staff, Program Executive Office, Mine and Undersea Warfare billet.
He completed refresher training in the MH-53E and reported to HM-15 as executive officer in March 2003 and assumed command in April the following year. While XO, he deployed to the Mediterranean in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he embarked USS Cleveland (LPD 7) with HM-15 DET ONE. During his over two years onboard, HM-15 won the Navy “E“ award twice and assumed responsibility for a four-helicopter detachment permanently forward deployed to Bahrain.
In April 2005, Buduo reported to the Naval Sea Systems Command, where he served as director for the POM Integration Division. In February 2006 he was assigned to the Office of the Comptroller as NAVSEA's POM Integration Lead, and subsequently assumed command of NSWC Panama City Division in September that year.
E-Mail This Article
Print This Story