REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Feb. 24, 2022) – U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center Director Jeffrey Langhout speaks of the Army values often – loyalty, duty, respect, honor, integrity, personal courage, and most importantly, selfless service.
Langhout’s adherence to those values has helped him make decisions and recommendations that are in the best interest of the U.S. Army he has served since 1986. In honor of the engineering contributions and achievements he has made to the nation as a civil servant, Langhout was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame Feb. 26.
“I am honored to receive this recognition and to represent the thousands of tremendous professionals that make up the AvMC,” Langhout said. “This great Army organization has played such a pivotal role throughout the last 60 years to ensure the security of our nation. I have been blessed to have had a number of wonderful assignments with our Army, so many great bosses and mentors that have all poured themselves into me to help me mature and improve my leadership skills.”
Founded in 1987, the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame recognizes the “outstanding accomplishments and contributions of individuals, projects, and corporations/institutions that have brought and continue to bring significant recognition to the State of Alabama.” Langhout joins four AvMC alumni – Dr. Richard Amos (2010), Dr. Robin Buckelew (1995), Mr. Ronnie Chronister (2013), and Dr. William Craig (2014) in the Hall of Fame.
“To be in the same group as those great leaders is a tremendous privilege,” Langhout said. “This event date is extra special, as it occurs on what would have been my dad’s – a licensed professional engineer – 97th birthday. I am blessed to celebrate with my bride, Jackie, and our family, Grace, Robert and Claire, as well as some dear friends. I am grateful to Auburn University and to the committee and persons that nominated me for this award.”
A long time Huntsville resident, Langhout, as leader of the largest engineering workforce in Alabama – the DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center – more than qualifies to be among this year’s inductees, according to those who nominated him.
“Jeffrey Langhout is a national asset, and his experience and achievements in the national defense industry, as well as his commitment to his alma maters, to this state and to our country, make him an ideal candidate for induction to the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame,” said Christopher B. Roberts, Auburn University president-elect and dean of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.
Langhout, who aspired to be a Roadway truck driver, airline pilot or meteorologist when he was a child, has come a long way since his first job as a newspaper carrier for the Huntsville Times. With engineering degrees from both Auburn University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Langhout has held several key positions across multiple Army domains since becoming a civil servant.
“Perhaps most recognizable among his accomplishments are those made while chief engineer for the Chinook Helicopter program, through which he and his Team Chinook family helped save millions of taxpayer dollars and countless American lives in a time of war,” according to his nomination packet.
After serving as the director of the Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center for more than two years in Michigan, Langhout returned to Huntsville in early 2021 as the AvMC director. He is recognized as the only Army engineer to have led multiple research, development and engineering centers. As DEVCOM AvMC director, Langhout leads a workforce comprised of almost 11,000 civilian, military and contractor engineers, scientists, researchers and support staff in delivering advanced technologies and functional engineering expertise in support of the Army’s aviation and missile materiel enterprise.
“What keeps me motivated today is the same thing that motivated me to become an Army employee 30-something years ago,” Langhout said. “I really do believe we can change the world. I know that sounds like a cliché, but I believe as a federal employee, you are only limited by your imagination and your tenacity. To be a part of the national security infrastructure is to be a part of something much bigger than yourself. I felt that way in 1986 and I feel that way in 2022.”
He is a member of the Association of the United States Army, the Army Aviation Association of America and the Vertical Flight Society. In 2020, he earned the top recognition from the National Defense Industrial Association for his leadership on Detroit Arsenal and impact to the Michigan industrial base. Other honors include the Army’s Superior Civilian Service Medal in 2021, AUSA Civilian of the Year in 2011 (finalist), the Honorable Order of St Michael (Bronze) in 2006, and Achievement Medal for Civilian Service in 2004.
He can now add 2022 Inductee to the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame to that list.
“Jeff is an outstanding engineer and leader,” said Barry Pike, who retired from civilian service as director of the AvMC Technology Development Directorate in 2020. “He has made significant and lasting contributions to our nation’s defense and our Army. He continues to lead and develop a preeminent workforce ensuring our Soldiers have the right equipment, training and support at the right time and place while continuing to provide innovative technology solutions for our enduring national security needs.”
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The DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the Army’s research and development focal point for advanced technology in aviation and missile systems. It is part of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command. AvMC is responsible for delivering collaborative and innovative aviation and missile capabilities for responsive and cost-effective research, development and life cycle engineering solutions, as required by the Army’s strategic priorities and support to its Cross-Functional Teams.
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