Laura J. Richardson

Laura Richardson
Birth name	Laura Jane Strickland
Born	(1963-12-11) 11 December 1963 (age 60) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1986–present
Rank	General
Commands held	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	War in Afghanistan 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)
Spouse(s)	James Richardson
Laura J. Richardson's voice Richardson's opening statement at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the 2022 USSOUTHCOM posture Recorded 24 March 2022

Laura Jane Richardson^[1] (née Strickland; born 11 December 1963)^[1][2] is a four-star general in the United States Army who is the commander of United States Southern Command since 29 October 2021. Prior to that, she was the commanding general of United States Army North from July 2019 to September 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.