U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson assumed new role as commander of Southcom October 29, 2021. (Credit: Wikipedia Commons / U.S. Army photo by Monica King)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON – Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson assumed duties as commander of SOUTHCOM from Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller at Southcom headquarters in Doral, Florida, the Pentagon announced Friday. Richardson becomes the first woman to head Southcom. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III delivered remarks during the change of command ceremony. Southcom has responsibility for the Latin American and Caribbean region. “U.S. Southern Command’s work is vital to American security, American interests and American values. When there’s instability or a crisis nearby, it can echo here at home,” the secretary of defense said. Richardson (born December 11, 1963) is a four-star general in the United States Army. Having been promoted to four-star rank on October 18, Richardson succeeds Admiral Faller as SOUTHCOM commander. Richardson grew up in Colorado and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Aviation upon graduation from Metropolitan State College in Denver. Her first assignment after flight school was in Korea with the 17th Aviation Brigade, where she served as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Brigade Staff Officer and Company Commander. She next served at Fort Hood, Texas on the III Corps staff and in the 6th Cavalry Brigade as a Company Commander and Brigade Adjutant.
U.S. Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, incoming commander of U.S. Southern Command, assumes command from U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin during the SOUTHCOM change of command ceremony at SOUTHCOM Headquarters in Doral, Florida, Oct. 29, 2021. SOUTHCOM is responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation in its assigned area of responsibility which includes Central America, South America and the Caribbean. (U.S. SOUTHCOM photo by Master Sgt. Stephen J. Caruso)
Her assignments as a general officer include Commanding General of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command; Deputy Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas; Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications with Headquarters, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan; Chief, Army Legislative Liaison; and most recently as the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Forces Command. During the war in Iraq, Richardson commanded an assault helicopter battalion and flew missions to support troops on the ground. She later commanded U.S. Army North.
