Lieutenant General Laura Richardson is a senior officer in the United States Army. She made history as the first woman to lead a major Unified Combatant Command, specifically the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Central and South America. Before her current role, Richardson held various leadership positions, including commanding the U.S. Army North and serving as the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Forces Command. Her extensive experience in military operations and leadership has made her a prominent figure in the Army and a role model for women in the military.