Lori Robinson

Lori Robinson
General Lori Robinson in 2016
Born1958 or 1959 (age 65–66)[1]
Big Spring, Texas
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1981–2018
RankGeneral
CommandsUnited States Northern Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command
Pacific Air Forces
552d Air Control Wing
17th Training Wing
Battles / warsGulf War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Spouse(s)Major General David A. Robinson

Lori Jean Robinson (born c. 1959) is a retired United States Air Force general who served as commander of the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) from May 2016 to May 2018. She was the first female officer in the history of the United States Armed Forces to command a major Unified Combatant Command.[2]

Robinson previously served as commander of Pacific Air Forces; air component commander for United States Pacific Command; and executive director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. The Pacific Air Forces command has responsibility for Air Force activities spread over half the globe and supports 45,000 airmen serving principally in Japan, South Korea, Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.

On March 18, 2016, United States Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that Robinson would be named by President Barack Obama to replace Admiral William E. Gortney as commander of USNORTHCOM and NORAD, subject to approval by the United States Senate. In 2016 Robinson was named to Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people.[3] Robinson was confirmed and took over from Admiral Gortney on 13 May 2016.

  1. ^ "Pacific Air Force Chief Says Wary of Risky Flying by China Jets". Bloomberg.com. 2 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Carter Names First Female Combatant Commander". U.S. Department of Defense. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. ^ Time 100 Leaders Lori Robinson Time Magazine, April 2016