First Woman to Head Southcom Steps Down, Passes Baton to First African-American Commander
Navy Adm. Craig Faller takes over the U.S. Southern Command
Faller assumes leadership of Southcom at a critical time, as the region faces numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, transnational crime, and political instability
The first woman to lead the U.S. Southern Command is stepping down, and the first African-American commander is taking her place.
Adm. Craig Faller, a veteran of the Navy SEALs, will assume leadership of Southcom, a Miami-based military command that oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Faller takes over from Adm. Laura Richardson, the first woman to lead a combatant command. Richardson is retiring after 37 years of distinguished military service
The change of command ceremony will take place on Friday at Southcom headquarters in Doral, Florida.
Faller is taking over the command at a critical time.
Latin America is reeling from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as political turmoil and humanitarian crises in several countries.
Faller will also be responsible for overseeing U.S. efforts to combat transnational crime and strengthen partnerships with militaries in the region.
Faller graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in history and later earned a master’s degree in national security affairs from the Naval War College.
He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and the U.S. Navy SEAL Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Qualification Course.
Faller’s assignments have included serving as commanding officer of SEAL Team 5 and SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1.
He also served as commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group 1 and commander of U.S. Naval Forces Special Operations Command.
In 2018, he was appointed commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe.
Richardson joined the Army in 1986 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant after graduating from Hampton University.
She has served in a variety of command and staff positions, including as deputy chief of staff for operations for the Army Materiel Command and as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Richardson became the first woman to lead a combatant command when she was appointed commander of Southcom in 2018.
During her tenure, Richardson oversaw the U.S. military’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
She also strengthened partnerships with militaries in the region and worked to combat transnational crime.
Richardson’s retirement marks the end of a distinguished military career.
She is a trailblazer who has broken down barriers for women in the military.
She has served her country with honor and distinction, and she will be sorely missed.
