Lori Robinson, an Air Force general who has been nominated to lead both the U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, addressed national security challenges at her nomination hearing Thursday, DoD News reported Thursday.
Cheryl Pellerin writes Robinson told the Senate Armed Services Committee that she will aim to increase the commands’ partnerships with allied nations and vigilance against homeland threats if her appointment is approved.
“Our country faces many challenging threats from within and abroad, ranging from threats such as home-grown violent extremist, cyberattacks [and] trafficking of drugs and other illicit products by transnational criminal organizations,” she explained to committee members.
She currently serves as commander of Pacific Air Forces and air component commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.
President Barack Obama nominated her as the next leader of USNorthcom and NORAD last month.
Robinson, if confirmed, will succeed Navy Adm. William Gortney and will be the first woman to lead a unified combatant command in the U.S. military’s history.
