In a historic first, Brigadier General Laura J. Richardson has been named by the U.S. Army’s Chief of Staff to take the post of deputy commander of the 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas. This marks the first time that a woman has been chosen for such a high position in a combat unit.

Previous combat commands
Richardson has held commands overseas, in Korea and in Iraq. In Korea she held several command positions with the 17th Aviation Brigade including as a company commander. In Iraq, she served as Commander of the 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Other command experience
BG Richardson is currently the Commander, U.S. Army Operational Test Command, located at Fort Hood, Texas. She previously served in a number of command and staff positions in Army aviation units, including those of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Prior to her service at the Operational Test Command, she was the Garrison Commander at Forts Meyer and McNair in the Washington, D.C. area.

Political experience
Richardson was the military aide for Vice President Al Gore. She also served as the Army’s Liaison Officer to the U.S. Senate at one time.

Richardson is a qualified helicopter pilot. She is a graduate of the Airborne School and wears the wings of an Army parachutist. She is married to another Army general and has one college age daughter. A Colorado native, she was commissioned upon her graduation from Metropolitan State College in Denver.