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SAN FRANCISCO - Commander Erik Langenbacher, formerly of Remer, Minn., recently assumed command of Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco from Commander. Samuel Creech.

Langenbacher graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He was first assigned as a deck watch officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Reliance. He attended Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Fla., and earned his wings in 1993. He then reported to Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles to fly the HH-65A Dolphin helicopter, conducting search and rescue and law enforcement missions. In 1997, Langenbacher reported to Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, where he was assigned to an Alaska Patrol. During his tour, he deployed on several cutters in the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, conducting search and rescue missions and enforcing fisheries laws and treaties.

In 1999, he reported to Air Station Detroit, Mich., as the engineering officer charged with maintaining five HH-65 Dolphin helicopters. During his time in Michigan, he earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Embry Riddle University. From 2002 to 2004, Langenbacher attended Purdue University and earned a Masters Degree in Engineering. In 2004, he was stationed at the Aircraft Repair and Supply Center in Elizabeth City, N.C., where he worked on maintenance strategies for aging aircraft systems and in 2005 became the HH-65 Dolphin helicopter product line manager. During his tour, he directed support to the fleet of 102 H-65 helicopters by providing technical support, fleet supply chain management and the complete overhaul of 75 H-65 helicopters. Additionally, he directed the replacement of the LTS 101 engine with the Turbomecca 2C2CG engine and logistical support system, the design of the current MH-65C avionics architecture and laid the groundwork for the MH-65D currently in operational evaluation and the MH-65E currently undergoing contract negotiations. In 2008, Langenbacher was assigned as the deputy group commander, Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles, Wash.[[In-content Ad]]Langenbacher's decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Commandant's Letter of Commendation and numerous unit and team commendations. He has accumulated more than 3,400 flight hours, holds a helicopter Airline Transport Pilot rating and a commercial pilot's rating in fixed wing aircraft.

Langenbacher is married to Kristi Kiteley formerly of Port Angeles. They have one daughter, Emma, and a son, Carson. His parents are Clayton, of Remer; and Linda, of Louisiana.

Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, located at the San Francisco International Airport, operates a fleet of MH-65 Dolphin helicopters. The crew conducts search and rescue, law enforcement, homeland security, and maritime environmental protection missions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest. The 125 air station personnel also stand up aviation detachments aboard Coast Guard cutters that deploy worldwide.

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