[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 25 (Friday, February 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF RICHARD A. LANGMAN

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                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 9, 2007

  Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, it is with the greatest respect and 
sincerity that I rise today to honor TSgt Richard Langman. Sergeant 
Langman will retire today after serving 20 years in the United States 
Air Force.
  Richard Langman was born in Dover, New Jersey, but spent most of his 
childhood and teen years growing up in Modesto, California. It was in 
Modesto where Richard showed a real talent for sports, playing in the 
local Bel Pasi Youth Baseball Association and even pitching a three up 
and three down inning during an All-Star Game. Richard continued his 
passion for sports during his years at Fred C. Beyer High School 
playing junior and senior varsity football. However, he quickly 
developed a new passion and entered the NASCAR ``Hobby'' division at 
Stockton ``99'' Speedway. As one of the youngest drivers, Richard was 
able to win a number of races and endear himself to many fans. His love 
of racing continues right up to this day.
  Approximately 6 months after graduating from high school, Richard set 
out on a new adventure and enlisted in the United States Air Force. 
Upon completion of basic military training and technical training for 
Aircraft Environmental Systems at Chanute Air Force Base (AFB), and 
graduating Technical School, he was assigned to the 693rd 
Organizational Maintenance Squadron (OMS), KC-135A, Castle AFB in 
Atwater, California. While assigned to Castle AFB, Sergeant Langman was 
handpicked to participate in the Strategic Air Command Bombing and 
Navigation competition (Proud Shield 89). His technical expertise 
resulted in a 100 percent on-time take off rate and an overall third 
place finish for the 93rd Wing. In 1991, he was assigned to the 909th 
Air Refueling Squadron (AREFS), KC-135R Kadena AB, Japan, where he 
developed and implemented a much needed method of tracking aircraft 
engine fire suppression system bottles and squibs. His methods improved 
the tracking rate of over $200,000 worth of Air Force assets and earned 
him the Air Force Achievement Medal.
  In 1994, he was assigned to the 55th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) 
Altus AFB, Oklahoma, where his dedication to duty shined once again. He 
was selected as Electro-Environmental systems subject matter expert for 
the 55th ARS maintenance quality training program. He processed, 
trained, and certified over 150 civil service personnel in under a 4-
month period to accommodate the KC-135R civil service maintenance 
conversion.
  In January 1997, Sergeant Langman began his special operations career 
when he was assigned to the 16th Aircraft Generation Squadron (AGS) 
where he upgraded and was task qualified on a completely different 
airframe in less than 6 months. His superb performance aided the 16th 
AGS in winning the Air Force Maintenance Effectiveness Award for 1997. 
Shortly afterwards, Sergeant Langman retrained into the Flight Engineer 
career field. In June 1999, he was assigned to the 16th Special 
Operations Squadron (SOS) Hurlburt Field, Florida. Sergeant Langman's 
SOF career includes Publications Assistant NCOIC, Flight Engineer 
Functional Manager, and NCOIC Unit Security Office. Sergeant Langman's 
combat experience in Operation Enduring Freedom includes 164 combat 
sorties and over 750 hours. Sergeant Langman, wife Sheila, and their 
two children, Karissa (age 12) and Kirsten (age 7) will continue 
residing in Navarre, Florida.
  Madam Speaker, it is an honor to share Sergeant Langman's record of 
accomplishments, and I thank him for his lengthy service to the United 
States.




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