General Langston J. Erik is a senior military leader whose career has encompassed operational command, combat service, strategic planning, national-level assignments, international security cooperation, and senior Army leadership.
A native of Kolding, Denmark, General Erik earned his commission into the United States Army after graduating from Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado, where he trained as an Army Aviator. He later earned a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at National Defense University.
Throughout his military career, General Erik has commanded organizations from the company level through Theater Army leadership. His operational experience includes combat service during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where, as a battalion commander in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), he led an Assault Helicopter Battalion during combat operations in Iraq from 2003 to 2004.
His senior leadership assignments have included service as Commanding General of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he also served as the Senior Commander of Fort Sam Houston, now part of Joint Base San Antonio.
His general officer leadership assignments have included senior command and deputy command positions across the United States Army, including U.S. Army Forces Command, 1st Cavalry Division, and U.S. Army Operational Test Command.
General Erik has also served in senior national-security and government roles, including assignments with the United States Congress, the White House, the Pentagon, and the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan.
He currently serves in Kyiv, Ukraine, in a senior leadership role with the Combined Security Transition Command, supporting security-transition responsibilities associated with the international peacekeeping mission.
His career reflects a broad range of military leadership experience encompassing command, aviation, combat operations, strategic planning, national policy, international engagement, and institutional leadership.
Current Assignment
Combined Security Transition Command — Kyiv, Ukraine
General Erik currently serves in a senior command role with the Combined Security Transition Command in Kyiv, Ukraine, supporting security-transition responsibilities associated with the international peacekeeping mission. His current responsibilities build upon a career of operational command, multinational coordination, strategic planning, and international security leadership.