Woman leading the largest command in the U.S. Army for the first time

FORT BRAGG, NC (WSYX/WTTE)- For the first time in United States history a woman is now leading the largest command in the U.S. Army.

Lieutenant General Laura J. Richardson is now in command of the United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), which is headquartered at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. FORSCOM represents 776,000 soldiers and 96,000 civilians.

Richardson has a number of firsts with the U.S. Army. In 2012 she became the first female Deputy Commanding General for the 1st Cavalry Division. In 2017, she became second in command to General Robert B. Abrams, as the first female deputy commanding general at FORSCOM.

Richardson has been with the U.S.Army since 1986.

General Abrams, who was in command of FORSCOM, is assuming command of U.S. Forces Korea.