Randy Larsen

Colonel Randy Larsen is the founding Director and a Senior Fellow of the Institute for Homeland Security, a not-for-profit public-service research institute based in Arlington, Virginia.

He previously served as the Chairman of the Department of Military Strategy and Operations at the National War College in Washington, D.C., where he continues to teach the Homeland Security course.

He has written and lectured extensively on the subjects of asymmetric and biological warfare and the 21st century challenges of homeland security.

Since September 11th, 2001, Larsen has met with a wide range of U.S. Government officials (including U.S. Vice-President Cheney) and recently, was the co-developer of the nationally acclaimed DARK WINTER exercise (which simulated a major bioterrorism event).

In June 2000, Larsen retired from the U.S. Army and Air Force. His assignments included 400 combat missions in Cobra gunships in Vietnam and duties as a military attaché.

Larsen’s military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, The Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross.