*** UPDATE - November 16, 2009 ***
Commander’s Message
In the early morning hours of Friday, October 23, 2009, we were stunned by the impact of the shock wave after the explosion of fuel tanks at the nearby petrochemical storage facility of the Caribbean Petroleum Company (CAPECO).
What could have being a tragedy, as you will read in November’s edition of El Morro, turned into an opportunity to show our core values. We came together as a team, an Army strong family who faced the emergency with courage and determination.
Today, Fort Buchanan is stronger than ever and all thanks to you. I would like to thank the members of the Puerto Rico National Guard, the 1st Mission Support Command, the Coast Guard, Navy Reserve, and Marine Corps Reserve for your assistance. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the Rodriguez Army Health Clinic, the U.S. Corps of Engineers, FBI, the assessments teams from IMCOM-SE, DECA, AAFES the DDESS schools and all our friends from the federal agencies, as well as the local community leaders such as the P.R. Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, the Reserve Ambassadors, representatives from the Governor’s office, the Resident Commissioner’s Office, the P.R. Senate, the Mayor of San Juan, our neighbors from San Patricio for their support during this emergency.
I would like to specially thank our firefighters and police as well as all the staff and employees who answered the call to duty gallantly with loyalty and honor, working long hours until Fort Buchanan’s recovery.
I thank the Good Lord for His protection that in an event of this magnitude there were no casualties and our family is well and safe.
Thank you to all the members of the Fort Buchanan community – military, civilian workforce, tenants, veterans, retirees, friends and neighbors for your support and prayers during the past emergency.
Sincerely,
Col. Edwin C. Domingo
Garrison Commander
The history of the US Army in Puerto Rico dates back to the Spanish-American
War. US forces landed here on July 25, 1898 and quickly occupied the island,
which under the Treaty of Paris became an unincorporated territory of the United
States. Puerto Rico belongs to, but is not part of the United States.
In 1903 the 1st Puerto Rican U.S. Army unit was formed, the so-called "Porto
Rico Regiment" under the command of then Colonel James A. Buchanan, for whom our
installation was named.
Camp Buchanan was established in 1923, it was originally located on a 300 acre
tract of land some 6 miles south of San Juan Bay.
From 1926 to 1930 Camp Buchanan was used as a maneuver training area and range by the Regular Army, by the National Guard troops. and as a Citizen Military Training Camp. In May 1940 it was officially designated as Fort Buchanan and expanded to 1,514 acres initially, later to 4,500 acres. Permanent facilities were constructed...
Read More
Deployed Soldiers: for morale calls through the Fort Buchanan
switchboard, dial DSN 740-3402.