Colonel David L. Brewer assumed command of Fort Buchanan, the Army’s Caribbean installation in Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, October 27, during a ceremony at the installation’s Activity Center attended by military personnel, civilian employees, families and community representatives. The leadership change comes as military activity in the Caribbean draws greater public attention. Brewer, who arrives from South Carolina, where he served as director of facilities management and regional engineer for the Army’s 81st Readiness Division, has experience with US Northern Command and NORAD planning and exercises, command posts in engineering and logistics units, and service in Iraq.
We do not simply serve from Puerto Rico. We serve alongside Puerto Rico.
Patrick J. Appelman, executive director of the Army Installation Management Command in the Western Hemisphere, highlighted the installation’s strategic importance, saying its strength lies in its people and their community relationships. In his first message as commander, Brewer pledged to listen, gather information proactively and make sound decisions, saying "We do not simply serve from Puerto Rico. We serve alongside Puerto Rico."
Fort Buchanan has an annual budget of approximately $500 million and supports a military community of about 15,000 members, including active duty, Reserve, Puerto Rico National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve and Navy Reserve personnel, facilitating deployment of military personnel anywhere at any time.