First woman to lead top U.S. combat command takes reins today

On Friday, Gen. Lori J. Robinson, one of two female Air Force four-star generals, takes command of the U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). NORAD, the joint U.S.-Canadian air defense command, is perhaps best known for its annual Santa-tracking operation. Northern Command is one of nine U.S. unified combatant commands, key combat centers with a regional or specialized focus, and Robinson is the first woman to head up one of these combatant commands. Northern Command is charged with defending the U.S. and aiding civilian authorities in case of an emergency, The Associated Press reports. She will be based in Colorado.

Robinson joined the Air Force in 1982, from the ROTC at the University of New Hampshire, and she was previously commander of Pacific Air Forces, with responsibility for Air Force activities spanning about half the globe, including China. She is a senior air battle commander with broad experience in command and control.

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