Laura J. Richardson
Laura Richardson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Laura Jane Strickland |
| Born | 11 December 1963 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1986–2025 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Southern Command United States Army North United States Army Forces Command (acting) Army Legislative Liaison Office Operational Test Command, Fort Hood Army Garrison, Fort Myer 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star |
| Alma mater | Metropolitan State University of Denver (BS) National Defense University (MS) |
Laura Jane Richardson (née Strickland; born 11 December 1963) is a retired United States Army general who last served as the commander of United States Southern Command from 2021 to 2024. Prior to that, she was the commanding general of United States Army North from 2019 to 2021.
As an army aviator, Richardson flew Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Promoted to brigadier general in 2011, she served in various commands at Fort Hood and as chief of staff for communication in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. In June 2017, she was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed deputy commanding general of United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). She served as acting commander of FORSCOM from October 2018 until March 2019 and, on 8 July 2019, became the first woman appointed to command United States Army North. Richardson was nominated as commander of United States Southern Command by President Joe Biden in March 2021 and confirmed in this role by the United States Senate on 11 August. Having been promoted on 18 October 2021, Richardson became the second woman to attain the rank of general in the U.S. Army, as well as the third woman to lead a combatant command.