TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The U.S. Senate has confirmed a University of Alabama graduate to head the U.S. Strategic Command.
As commander, Navy Vice Adm. Charles Richard, a 1982 UA electrical engineering graduate, will serve as the senior commander of unified military forces from all four branches of the military assigned to the command.
Located at Offutt Air Force base near Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. Strategic Command is one of 11 unified commands in the Department of Defense, according to its website. Its mission is to deter strategic attack and employ forces, as directed, to guarantee the security of the nation and its allies.
Richard has been a Navy officer for more than 37 years serving in multiple capacities.
As commander, Submarine Forces, he was the undersea domain lead and was responsible for the submarine force’s strategic vision. As commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, he commanded all Atlantic-based U.S. submarines, their crews and supporting shore activities.
Richard had previously served as the deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command.
Richard was born in Cullman and grew up in Decatur. In addition to his bachelor’s degree from UA, he holds master’s degrees from the Catholic University of America and the Naval War College. He was named a UA Distinguished Engineering Fellow in 2014.
Richard was recently named a University of Alabama Legend. To read more about Richard see https://www.ua.edu/legends/story_charles_richard.php.
Contact
Chris Bryant, UA communications, 205-348-8323, chris.bryant@ua.edu