General Lori J. Robinson retired from the Air Force in July 2018 following a 36-year military career, including Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command (NORTHCOM). In those positions she commanded 1,600 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians from the United States and Canada. Working with the Governors of all 50 states and their Adjutants General, she was responsible for coordinating the activities of 300,000 National Guard forces that could be tasked for response to natural disasters or internal defense of the United States. Reporting directly to the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada, she was responsible for early warning and engagement of air and space threats to the United States and Canada, including the ballistic missile threats from North Korea.
Prior to her command of NORAD/NORTHCOM, she was the Commander, United States Air Forces Pacific, responsible for 45,000 Airmen to deliver combat air power throughout the Pacific Theater. She exerted direct global influence representing the Chief of Staff of the Air Force in meetings with heads of state, political and military leaders throughout the Pacific.
General Robinson served in many other senior leadership positions including: Director of Joint Capabilities Development (J-8) reporting to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Director of Air Force Legislative Liaison on Capitol Hill reporting directly to the Secretary of the Air Force, responsible for budget issues and coordination with political leadership in the House and Senate. Earlier in her career she commanded the Air Force’s only Airborne Warning and Control Wing (AWACS) including command of combat units engaged in the Middle East. General Robinson’s entire career demonstrates remarkable achievements at the highest levels of war fighting operation, diplomatic engagement and political coordination.
General Robinson has earned two Masters degrees, served in a fellowship at the Brookings Institution, and completed the Senior Executive Fellows program at Harvard. General Robinson continues to serve as a role model and mentor to career-minded men and women who seek to balance the demands of career with personal and family responsibilities. She is married to Major General (Ret) David A. Robinson. They reside in St. Pete Beach, FL.