Email   Print   Share By Sgt. Kim Browne, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

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Brig. Gen. Laura Richardson, deputy commanding general of support, 1st Cav. Div., claps to the playing of “Garryowen” during a ceremony July 5 on Cooper Field. Sgt. Kim Browne, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Command Sgt. Maj. Isaia Vimoto, former command sergeant major of the 1st Cav. Div., receives the Legion of Merit from Maj. Gen. Anthony Ierardi, commanding general of the First Team, during a ceremony on Cooper Field July 5. Sgt. Kim Browne, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

America’s First Team said farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Isaia Vimoto, former 1st Cavalry Division command sergeant major, and Brig. Gen. James Richardson, former deputy commanding general of support of the division, while hailing the arrival of Brig. Gen. Laura Richardson, deputy commanding general of support for the division, during a ceremony July 5 on Cooper Field.

At the ceremony, James handed the reins over to his wife, Laura. She comes to the Cav. from command of the United States Army Operational Test Command on West Fort Hood and is making history for America’s First Team and the United States Army as the first female deputy commanding general of a maneuver division.

“I am truly honored and humbled to join this legendary division, the 1st Cavalry Division, who has served this nation since 1921, building a cavalry heritage rich in pride and tradition.” she said.

“(Laura) brings with her incredible talent and inspiration,” Maj. Gen. Anthony Ierardi, commanding general of 1st Cav. Div., said. “She has masterfully commanded at every level from platoon to brigade and excelled at diverse assignments of strategic influence.”

Laura grew up in Colorado and was commissioned a second lieutenant aviation officer upon graduation from Metropolitan State College in Denver.

Her 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 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, Kan., serving at the Battle Command Training Program as an observer trainer, followed by attendance to the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

She was next assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky., in the 9th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, an assault helicopter battalion, as the operations officer and executive officer. Then, she was selected to serve as the military aide to Vice President Al Gore in Washington, D.C.

Laura then returned to Fort Campbell and the 101st where she served as the division deputy of operations and following as commander of the 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, an assault helicopter battalion, and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Following her battalion command, she was assigned to the Pentagon on the Army Staff in the operations section and served as deputy director and then director of the Army’s Transformation Office.

After her Pentagon tour, she attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair in Washington D.C., and was the garrison commander of Fort Myer, Va. and Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. After command, she served as a Army’s liaison officer to the United States Senate.

Laura’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.

Her awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal (seven), and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Her husband is pleased to remain at the Great Place, serving as the deputy commanding general of III Corps.

“While I leave the First Team with a heavy heart, I take comfort in the notion that I am not leaving them entirely behind,” James said. “Going to III Corps will allow me to continue sharing in the unique community that is Fort Hood.”

Vimoto was awarded the Legion of Merit for his accomplishments during his tenure with the Cav.

“To our First Team troopers and leaders, I had a blast serving you,” Vimoto said. “It has been a blessing serving as your division command sergeant major, and I can honestly tell you that I had learned so much by watching you in action, both in combat and here at home station.”

Vimoto has moved on to Fort Bragg, N.C., where he will serve as the command sergeant major of XVIII Airborne Corps.