COL Laura J. Richardson, who leads West Fort Hood's Operational Test Command, was selected to receive the 2011 Women in Aerospace leadership award for her advancement of the role of women in combat aviation. 

Richardson, who took the command's top position in July 2011, was chosen for her "extraordinary leadership and her dedication to the development of current and future generations of female aviators," according to information from Women in Aerospace. 

An awards ceremony is scheduled Nov. 1 in Arlington, Va., for Richardson and six others who were also selected to receive honors.

"I am so humbled and honored to have been selected to receive this award," Richardson said.  "Anything I've been able to achieve was made possible by the sacrifice and hard work of the countless others who came before me."

Richardson was commissioned in aviation upon graduation from Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colo.  She served as a company commander in the 6^th Cavalry Brigade at Fort Hood in the mid-1990s and an air assault helicopter battalion commander in the 101^st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., where she deployed to Iraq in 2006.

She flew combat missions in Iraq with her husband, BG James M. Richardson, who also served as a battalion commander in the 101st. BG Richardson is currently deployed to Afghanistan, where he serves as the 1st Cavalry Division's deputy commander for support.

COL Richardson served as the military aide to Vice President Al Gore and as garrison commander of Fort Meyer, Va., and Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. Her last assignment before coming to Fort Hood was as the Army liaison officer to the U.S. Senate.

Her awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, seven Air Medals and Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Women in Aerospace was founded in 1985, and is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding women's opportunities for leadership and increasing their visibility within the aerospace community. 

The U.S. Army Operational Test Command is the Army's only independent operational tester. The command is comprised of a headquarters and four test directorates located at Fort Hood and four forward test directorates located at Fort Bliss; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; and Fort Sill, Okla.