2007 - Dick's "About Us" Bio

All - Below information & pics supplied by Mark Grosze on 04JUN2019.  He had occasion to talk to Dick sometime in 2012(?) & Dick sent this to him.  Thanks Mark!😊  -  dan


DICK LANG


My service:

About Us

I joined the Coast Guard right out of Mount Rainier High School, becoming a Cadet in the Academy Class of 1974. I served in various positions in the Coast Guard and retired in 1994. For thirteen years I then managed the regional 9-1-1 dispatch center in Astoria.

US Coast Guard Academy 1970-1974

USCGC Iris 1974-1976

USCGC Cape Romain 1976-1978

Naval Postgraduate School 1978-1980

Coast Guard Headquarters (G-OLE) 1980-1983

USCGC Blackhaw 1983-1985

Commander Coast Guard Pacific Area (Po) 1985-1988

USCGC Iris 1988-1991

Fleet/Afloat Training Group San Diego 1991-1993

USCGC Resolute 1993

Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific 1994

Cape Romain O-2 - O-3

A young Lieutenant (junior grade) takes command of a patrol boat in Southeast Alaska, feeling extremely fortunate to have this opportunity for relative independence before finishing up his Coast Guard service and moving on to a "real" job.

• Hard at work?

• Happy LT

  A nice sunny day in Ketchikan to show off new LT shoulder boards.

Blackhaw O-3 - O-4

After 5 years ashore the Lieutenant is assigned as second in command (Executive Officer) of the buoy tender in San Francisco. After these two years there will be an all or nothing decision to get out for a real job or stick out the 20 years for retirement.

Iris O-4 - O-5

How lucky can he get? The Lieutenant Commander backs into orders to command the Iris in Astoria. The Oregon and Washington coasts feature the most challenging river bar conditions, and he will be charged with keeping those channels marked in all weather conditions. Do well and he can have his choice of related desk jobs to finish out his career.

• Oil Spill!

The Iris approaches the Exxon Valdez, anchored behind Naked Island in Prince William Sound. Iris provided security for a break in other duties. The Salvage Chief is moored alongside preparing her for the long tow south for repairs

• Glacier Bay, Alaska

On the way home from Prince William Sound, Iris performed some Aids to Navigation work to relieve some of the workload from the beleagured Alaska units. Iris entered Glacier Bay after establishing the seasonal entrance buoy.

Resolute O-5

Bizarre events have led to another command at sea assignment for this fast tracking Commander. The frosting on the cake is another tour homeported in the now familiar Astoria, Oregon.