Gregory A. Buxa was promoted to the rank of captain in the U.S. Coast Guard Feb. 19.
Buxa is the executive officer of Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento.
Previously, Buxa served as chief of the Maritime Homeland Security Policy Division in the Office of Law Enforcement at Coast Guard Headquarters. During this three-year tour, Buxa was commended for his meritorious service as he led two major projects: Biometrics at Sea Mona Passage Proof of Concept, and the U.S. Government and Government of Canada's Maritime Shiprider Proof of Concept.
Before working at Coast Guard Headquarters, Buxa distinguished himself as a professional officer, aviator, and HC-130H expert.
Buxa has operated in all Coast Guard districts, prosecuting search and rescue, law enforcement, Maritime Homeland Security, illegal migrant interdiction, counter-drug interdictions, EEZ enforcement, fisheries and living marine resources enforcement, maritime domain awareness, Coast Guard logistics support, aids to navigation, and environmental response operations.
Before attending Naval flight training in Florida and Texas, Buxa served on-board the Coast Guard cutter Dependable in Panama City, Fla., where he was the senior boarding officer. The crew combated illegal Haitian mass migrations to the U.S, enforced fisheries violations, and performed counter-drug operations.
Buxa has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and various Coast Guard medals as well as other personal and unit awards.
Buxa was raised in Minot. He graduated with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1989 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and has a masters degree in public administration specializing in organizational leadership from National University. He is married to the former Linda Baacke of Milwaukee. They have three children Abigail,8, Lydia,7, and Benjamin,5.
Air Force Airman Christopher Bowling graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
He is the son of Merry and Billy Anderson, Minot.
Air Force Airman Sarah Rohlk graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
She is the daughter of Edward Rohlk, Minot. Rohlk is a 2008 graduate of Glenburn Hign School.