Veteran Maryland Guard flight medic continues life-saving focus with U.S. Army medical materiel development team [Image 6 of 15]

FORT DETRICK, MD, UNITED STATES

11.10.2022

Photo by T. T. Parish 

U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA)

Every service member has their own reason for joining the military – some want to travel, some want to afford college, some want to find adventure outside the confines of small-town America or the bustling inner city. For Austin Langdon, currently the Acting Deputy for the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity’s (USAMMDA) Warfighter Deployed Medical System (WDMS) Project Management Office at Fort Detrick, Md., the reason came down to a chance to serve his nation and the hope of saving lives. “For me, I was older than most,” said the former Maryland National Guardsman from Easton, Md. who enlisted in 2009. “I joined at 27 after I closed down my contracting company due to the recession in [2007-2008]. I had laid off my employees slowly and really started to look at what I wanted to do with my life.” Coupled with the economic woes experienced by small-business owners across the country, one of Langdon’s good friend’s and motorcycle riding partner died around the same time – out of tragedy came the final inspiration to serve, said Langdon. “That event changed a lot for me. Having to explain to his mom how her only son died was a major paradigm shift for me. I was already looking into the military and this event really solidified the [flight medic occupational specialty] for me.” Older by several years than the average recruit, Langdon jumped-in head first, joining the Maryland Guard hoping for a chance to deploy and serve at the front line of the Afghanistan War. In 2012, he got his chance. “I came in to deploy, so when the [first sergeant] asked me to join the medevac, knowing we were looking to deploy in the next three years, I was more than fine with it. I came in with the intent to deploy and help as many as I could while present. I deployed as a flight medic for [Company C, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment] out of Edgewood, Md. It was an epic deployment where we were chosen to pilot the Army’s “Vampire Program” in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2012 at a little Marine [forward operating base] called Edinburg.” Leaving active guard duty in 2013 and ending his service in 2017, Langdon joined USAMMDA as a contractor in 2018. Reflecting on his service – “[serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment] will always be one of the greatest honors of my life,” – Langdon now balances work responsibilities with the passion he carries as a husband and father. Married for 10 years to his wife, Sara, Langdon lives as a role model for his two boys. “I have a beautiful wife that has been by my side almost 10 years now, and has blessed me with two amazing boys,” Langdon said. “They are the most important facet of my life. You know, when you die, your children are the only thing you really leave this world. So being there and raising them into men is my most significant role in this lifetime.” Today, Langdon carries with him the hard-earned legacy of the men and women he served alongside, not to mention the lives he saved while supporting the Marines in combat. He applies that legacy each day while continuing to serve as a team member with WDMS. “I believe it is imperative for the Veterans to step up and serve after leaving uniform because they have had very unique experiences,” said Langdon, who earned a Bachelor Degree in Health Services Management from the University of Maryland-University College in 2018. “In order to really formulate a great team there has to be trust while moving out to complete the objective. Whether working as a team to land on a hot [landing zone] and run out to get a patient, or trying to get a working group to come to the table as a team, the premise remains the same.” (Official U.S. Army Photo by T. T. Parish/Released)

• Date Taken: 11.10.2022
• Date Posted: 11.10.2022 10:02
• Photo ID: 7507271
• VIRIN: 221104-A-PJ332-283
• Resolution: 4695x3130
• Size: 773.97 KB
• Location: FORT DETRICK, MD, US
• Hometown: EASTON, MD, US
• Hometown: FORT DETRICK, MD, US
• Hometown: FREDERICK, MD, US