Deputy CG - Support
BG Laura J. Richardson
Brigadier General Laura J. Richardson grew up in Colorado and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant Aviation Officer upon graduation from Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado.
BG Richardson's 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. Upon leaving Texas she was assigned to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas serving at the Battle Command Training Program as an Observer Trainer, followed by attendance to the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
BG Richardson was next assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky to serve in the 9th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, an assault helicopter battalion, as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer. She then was selected to serve as the Military Aide to Vice President Al Gore in Washington D.C. She then returned to Fort Campbell, KY and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) where she served as the Division Deputy G3 and then as Commander of the 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, an assault helicopter battalion, and deployed to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
Following battalion command, she was assigned to the Pentagon on the Army Staff in the G3/5/7 and served as Deputy Director and then Director of the Army's Transformation Office. Following the Pentagon tour, she attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., and then was the Garrison Commander of Fort Myer, VA and Fort McNair, Washington D.C. After command she served as the Army's Liaison Officer to the United States Senate. Upon completion of her tour with the U.S. Senate, BG Richardson served as the Commanding General for United States Army Operational Test Command, Fort Hood, Texas.
BG Richardson's military education includes the Aviation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Army Rotary Wing Course, UH-60 Blackhawk Course, Air Assault School, Airborne School, United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
BG Richardson's 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, Air Medal (seven), and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
