Capt. Doug Langenberg, a native of Lone Tree, Iowa, recently assumed command of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John F. Kennedy, an aircraft carrier currently under construction in Newport News, Virginia.
Langenberg became PCU John F. Kennedy’s third commanding officer during a change of command ceremony on Sept. 20. PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction before official commissioning.
Langenberg attended Lone Tree High School and graduated in 1988. Additionally, Langenberg earned a degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1997.
The skills and values needed to suc ceed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lone Tree.
“In the service, we rely heavily on the sense of community,” said Langenberg. “The demands of naval service require that we lean on and trust one another in ways that go far beyond simple work relationships. It’s not just knowing who you work with; it’s about being part of a team with shared purpose and understanding. We become a true, supportive community bound together by a common mission and purpose.”
Langenberg said growing up in Lone Tree set the example of hard work, strength and resilience.
“My parents, coaches, teachers and peers instilled this example in me,” said Langenberg. “Strength and resiliency run deep in small-town Iowa. The chaplain, Father Michael Finely, captured it perfectly at our wedding in 2002 where he met several of our Iowa family and friends. He referred to them as ‘salt of the earth’ people. Strong, hard-working, resilient, yet kind, friendly and deeply rooted in community. That perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Lone Tree.”
Langenberg joined the Navy 32 years ago.
“After high school, I was largely undecided on what I wanted to do,” said Langenberg. “I didn’t feel fully prepared for college and recognized I needed some time to figure things out and mature. One of the things that gained my interest at the time was the movie ‘Top Gun.’ It became clear to me that the Navy offered a structured environment that may allow me to work toward the direction of getting a college education, a commission and possibly allow me to go to flight school.
“As time went on, I also was drawn toward the experience of serving something larger and being part of a team. Growing up, I played team sports and these experiences taught me the importance of discipline, hard work and community. The Navy offered me the means to apply these values and continue to grow in a way that challenged me mentally and physically.”
Langenberg previously served in leadership assignments as commanding officer of USS John P. Murtha, executive officer of USS John C. Stennis, and commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 213 “Fighting Blacklions.” As a junior officer, Langenberg also deployed aboard the previous USS John F. Kennedy with the Fighter Squadron 11 “Red Rippers.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces. For 101 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
Aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s ocean. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
This is the second aircraft carrier to honor President John F. Kennedy for a lifetime of service to the nation. The first USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier served the fleet for more than 50 years before decommissioning in 2007. John F. Kennedy wore our nation’s uniform as a Navy lieutenant during World War II before serving as the 35th president of the United States from January 1961 to November 1963.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Langenberg serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Langenberg has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Individually, I can’t say as though I have any particular accomplishment that I would want to highlight,” said Langenberg. “However, I have been fortunate to be a part of some really great teams, and these teams have accomplished things at the level of ‘amazing.’”
Langenberg said the Navy represents the best of all team sports, and that every success has a million fingerprints.
“I have had but a small role in delivering ordnance on targets in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, but each of these successful deliveries had hundreds of sailors behind the effort,” said Langenberg. “Everyone, from the helmsman on the bridge to the culinary specialist in the galley to the electrician’s mate manning the throttles in the propulsion plant, has had a part in ensuring that fused ordnance hit its target and went high order. I have been a part of the team testing the recovery of the space capsule and crew for the Artemis mission as we return to the moon with manned space flight, and I have been there when sailors received comments of appreciation for their service while supporting outreach efforts for Navy Week San Francisco. I have high-fived allies, partners and friends as we debriefed the completion of our first combined exercises following two years of pause for the epidemic.
“I have always found the greatest of these teams complement one another. Whenever one member is down, the other seamlessly picks up the load. Selflessness at its finest.”
Langenberg can take pride in serving America through military service.
“What my service means to me has evolved for me over the years,” said Langenberg. “To be honest, I saw the Navy as a job when I first enlisted. However, the longer I served, the more I realized, I had a deeper feeling for the responsibility of service.”
Langenberg said that feeling really hit home during the 1990 Gulf War.
“It was at that point that I fully committed myself toward achieving a commission,” said Langenberg. “Today, I find it hard to hold back my emotions when rendering honors to our colors. I feel a connection to those who have given so much for our freedom and way of life. As our lives become further distanced from the lessons of our past, I feel it’s imperative that we convey to the next generation the importance of service.”
Langenberg is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I have been blessed with some really great mentors throughout my service,” added Langenberg. “Countless individuals have provided me guidance and recommendations at each decision point of my career. These insights have shaped my approach to any problem. I’m truly grateful for their investment in me, and I genuinely value the time and energy these people have given me.”