Our Mission
We strive to provide you nonpartisan, clear, honest, thoughtful and educational information and inspiring stories of public health heroes.
If you ever feel we are not living up to our standards, please let us know.
Our Host
Colonel Randy Larsen, USAF (Ret) is co-founder and editor of A GOOD WAR blog and podcast, featuring inspiring and informative stories about public health heroes and the battles between the human race and infectious diseases.
Larsen has served in a wide variety of national security and homeland security positions:
• National Security Advisor at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security (2005-2020).
• Along with former Senators Bob Graham (D-FL) and Jim Talent (R-MO), founded Bipartisan WMD Terrorism Research Center and served as the executive director (2010-2013).
• Executive Director of the Congressional Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism (2009-2010).
•Expert witness at the first hearing of the 9/11 Commission.
• Expert witness at more than a dozen Congressional hearings (2001-2011).
• Employee, analyst and on-camera commentator CBS News (2001-2007).
• Author, Our Own Worst Enemy, Grand Central, 2007.
• Member, Council on Foreign Relations (2002-2019).
• Founding director of the ANSER Institute of Homeland Security (2000-2003)
• Department chairman and professor at the National War College (1998-2000)
Colonel Larsen served in both the Army and Air Force for a combined total of 32 years of active duty military service.
His military flying career began as a 19-year old helicopter pilot in the 101st Airborne Division where he flew 400 combat missions in Vietnam.
He also served as military attaché at the US Embassy in Bangkok, the chief of legislative liaison at the US Transportation Command, and the commander of America’s fleet of VIP aircraft at Andrews AFB MD.
His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and 17 awards of the Air Medal (3 with “V” Device for Valor).
A GOOD WAR Team
Rene Aguirre
Nate Barr
Leigh Henderson
Jay Lavender
Meredith Lavender
Joe Meloche
Paul Meloche
Megan Van Wagoner