2003 annual report of the Georgia Department of Defense

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Georgia Department of Defense
P.O. Box 17965 Atlanta Georgia 30316
Governor Perdue, Members of the General Assembly, Citizens of Georgia
Thousands of Georgians today stand fast on battlefields far and near to protect, as perhaps never before, our home and hearth. Your Georgia National Guardsmen have acquitted themselves bravely and professionally - their fam ilies have demonstrated the courage that has always marked our countrymen - and I know that you join me in wishing them, and all of our men and women who proudly wear the uniform, a speedy and safe return to a state made safer by their sacrifice.
In that regard , Operation Iraqi Freedom tested the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Wing 's ability to operate as the Air Force's first "blended wing," a unit composed of National Guard and active duty airmen. The unit returned without loss to its home at Robins Air Force Base following months of deployment to the Middle East. The 165th Airlift Wing and other Air Guard units saw action in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as other areas providing communications and air support for coalition troops.
Georgia Army National Guard members were among the first to enter hostile territory and today more than 1,600 members of the 78th Troop Command continue to serve in the Middle East. Other units packed their duffel bags and deployed throughout this nation to provide support for homeland security assignments. Many of our aviators deployed as the new year began.
While our focus in the Georgia Department of Defense, Army and Air National Guard and State Defense Force has been on the effort to thwart terrorism and defeat enemies abroad, we have devoted a great deal of energy to our major constituency, protecting the people of Georgia as a full member of the state's homeland security force.
As part of that effort, when in 2003 the Governor announced that the "G-8 Summit," a conference of the world's leaders would take place in Georgia, your Georgia Guard and support staff of state employees got busy as part of a multi-agency task force to plan for the safety and success of that historic meeting.
Thanks to the significance that the Governor and the General Assembly places on our role, renovations of National Guard armories continue. Some buildings, poorly maintained for years, have now been brought up to current codes and the result is a better trained and conditioned force .
Our efforts to create a highly diverse, motivated work environment were rewarded as well this past year when the National Guard honored the Georgia Department of Defense with the Excellence in Diversity Award.
Georgia DOD continues to give young Georgians a second chance through its highly successful Youth Challenge Academies. Young men and women who have dropped out of high school are taught more than a trade; they are given the tools of good discipline. Another successful initiative ... the STARBASE program got underway in full operation this past year in Georgia. It offers bright young Georgians the opportunity to explore opportunities in the field of aviation. Our counterdrug efforts and State Partnership with the Republic of Georg ia continue to set high standards.
In closing, as we review this past year, let us remember the bravery, professionalism and sacrifice of our soldiers and airmen, and their fami lies who wait for the day that their loved ones return, as well as the dedicated state employees, who everyday ensure that support for our troops never wavers, never wanes and will never falter.
Sincerely
David B. oythress Major General The Adjutant General
2003 ANNUAL REPORT

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Georgia Army National Guard
Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt Commander
Brig. Gen. Terrell Reddick Deputy Commander
Headquarters State Area Command
(Atlanta/Ellenwood)
48th Infantry
. Brigade (Mech) Headquarters: Macon Commander: Col (P) Charles Rodeheaver
78th Troop
,. Command Headquarters: Decatur Commander: Col (P) Lawrence Ross
1st Aviation Group
,_ Headquarters: Dobbins ARB Commander: Col. Dannis Livingston

I Commander - in-Chief I . Gov. Sonny Perdue I I The Adjutant General
Maj . Gen. David Poythress

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Georgia Air National Guard
Maj. Gen. William Searcy Commander
Brig. Gen. Scott Hammond Chief of Staff

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I
I
Georgia State Defense Force
Brig. Gen. Joel Seymour Commander

Headquarters Georg ia Air
National Guard
(Dobbins ARB)
116th Bomb Wing
Headquarters: Robins AFB Commander: Brig. Gen. Tom Lynn

165th Airlift Wing
~ Headquarters: Savannah Commander: Col. Sieve Weslgate

117th Air Control

~

Squadron

(Savannah)

165th Air Support ~ Operations Sqdrn
(Brunswick)

202nd Electronic Installation Sqdrn
(Macon)

~ 224th Joint Comm. Support Squadron
(Brunswick)

283rd Combat Comm. Squadron
(Dobbins ARB)

~ Combat Readiness Training Center
(Savannah)

I

Directorate of

Joint Operations
Col. (R) Owen Ulmer Director

1 Directorate of Communications

Col. Ted Childers

Director of Military Support

Directorate of

Workforce

I Military Support To

Development Facilities

Civil Authorities

Management

1 I . Counterdrug Operations

Division
Financial Management

4th Civil Support Team (WMD)
i II State Partnership

Division
Information ,. Technology Division

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Program
Youth Challenge Academy

Organizational

H Development

I

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I I

United States

Starbase

I Proper~ and Fiscal ffice

The National Guard is unique in that it has two constitutionally mandated missions.. .
Our Federal Mission: To provide trained, equipped and superbly led forces , capable of mobilizing and deploying as directed by the National Command Authority.
Both the Army and Air National Guard are assuming a larger role in our national defense. Since Sept. 11 , 2001 nearly 4,000 Georgia National Guard members have been federally mobilized to participate in the War on Terrorism , and in 2001 , some 1,200 members of the 48th Infantry Brigade deployed to Bosnia as part of the peacekeeping efforts in the Balkans.
And our State Mission: to provide military support to civil authorities during emergency situations such as civil disturbances and natural or man-made disasters.
From Y2K to killer tornadoes in southwest Georgia, the Georgia Department of Defense and National Guard have supported local law enforcement and emergency management officials in times of need. Significant state deployments of the Guard include the flooding in central and southwest Georgia in 1994 and 1998; Operation Centennial Guard during the Olympic Games in 1996 and Operation Skyguard in ou r state's airports. Plann ing is underway fo r the upcoming G-8 conference in 2004.
Total Georgia DoD personnel called to State Active Duty 1993-2003: Over 11 ,000
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Commander: Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt Deputy Commander: Brig. Gen. Terrell Reddick Command Sergeant Major: Cmd. Sgt. Maj. James Dennis The Georgia Army Guard is made up of more than 9,000 citizen-soldiers drilling in more than 60 hometown armories across the state. Georgia's Army National Guard is the 13th largest in the nation and is comprised of combat, combat support and combat service support units. The Army Guard includes three major commands: the 48th Infantry Brigade, the 78th Troop Command and the 1st Aviation Group:
78th Troop Command : During 2003, more than 3,000 members, representing virtually all of the units assigned to the 78th, were mobilized and deployed to support the Global War on Terrorism. Troop Command units are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan , as well as at various military bases across the United States. Headquartered in Decatur, the 78th Troop Command has units drilling in 26 hometowns armories. 48th Infantry Brigade: The brigade is the largest unit of the Georgia Army National Guard. Following a high profile and very successful nine-month rotation to Bosnia in 2001 , the 48th Brigade has turned its attention to training for a 2005 rotation at the Army's premier training facility, the National Training Center in California. The 48th Infantry Brigade is headquartered in Macon and has units located in 32 hometowns across the state. 1st Aviation Group: By the end of 2003, nearly all of Georgia's aviation assets were mobilized. The 148th Aviation Company (Winder}, which flies UH-1 Hueys, was mobilized in early 2003 and assigned to provide medivac support to Ft. Hood Texas, and four other southwestern military installations. In December, the 171 st Aviation Battalion, (Dobbins ARB) which flies UH-60 Black Hawks, and Detachment 1, Company F, 131 st Aviation (Savannah) which flies CH-47 Chinooks, were both mobilized and are being sent to the Middle East. The Army component of the Georgia National Guard Joint Force Headquarters is located in adjacent to Fort Gillem in Ellenwood. In addition to the three major commands listed above , the Georgia Army National Guard includes the Regional Training Institute in Macon , which is home the state Officer Candidate School and other professional development programs ; and the National Guard Training Center at Ft. Stewart which provides housing, equipment, maintenance facilities and training sites for National Guard units from Georgia and other states .
Just hours before major combat operations began in Iraq, members of the Georgia Army National Guard's 3rd Infantry Detachment, from Hinesville, pose in front of the defensive berm along the Kuwaiti-Iraqi border.
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Commander: Maj. Gen. William Searcy Deputy Commander: Brig . Gen . Scott Hammond Command Sergeant Major: Cmd. Chief Master Sgt. Betty Moore
The year 2003 was a banner one for the Georgia Air National Guard with both flying wings playing significant roles in Operations Iraqi Freedom , Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. The Air Guard's seven other units also made major contributions to our nations's war on terrorism. The Air National Guard in Georgia is made up of more than 3,200 airmen:
The 116th Air Control Wing: Headquartered at Robins Air Force Base, the 116th made history over the past two years as it transitioned from flying B-1B Bombers to flying the highly sophisticated E8-C Joint Surveillance Attack Radar (JSTARS) aircraft. This "first of a kind " blended-wing has a unique structure combining National Guard and active Air Force personnel. Shortly after the transition, the unit supported Operation Iraqi Freedom providing battlefield information to commanders on the ground . During major combat operations the 116th flew more than 200 combat sorties .
165th Airlift Wing: Located in Savannah , the wing is made up or more than 900 airmen and flies eight C-130H Hercules cargo airplanes. During 2003 the unit twice deployed to Southwest Asia to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom . During its initial deployment at the height of the ground war the unit flew more than 3,000 sorties supporting operations across the Middle East and Europe. It continues to rotate aircraft and crews into the theater.
The Air component of the Georgia National Guard Joint Force Headquarters is located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta. In addition to the two major flying wings , the Georgia Air National Guard includes five additiional squadrons across the state that provide commu nications, engineering and air control support : the 117th Air Control Squadron in Savannah; the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron in Brunswick; the 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron in Macon; the 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron in Brunswick; and the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. All five units have contributed signifcantly to the War on Terrorism. The Air National Guard also operates the Combat Readiness Training Center (CTRC) in Savannah and the Townsend Bombing Range in Townsend .

Members of the Georgia Air National Guard's 165th Air Support Operations

Squadron, from Brunswick, at an outpost in Iraq. The Georgia airmen often

wear civilian clothes and grow beards in order to blend in with the local citi-

zens as well as to gain their respect and trust.



GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

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Total Georgia National Guardsmen Mobilized: Approximately 4,000
(Includes Army and Air National Guard mobilized since Sept. 11 2001, including those returned from service)
Georgia Army National Guard
2,950 currently mobilized 1,630 are overseas (Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom) 1,320 remain in US for Homeland Security Mobilized and projected units drill in 29 hometowns across Georgia
Units deployed overseas {Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom): 265th Engineer Group - Decatur 221 st Military Intelligence Battalion - Fort Gillem 277th Maintenance Company - Kennesaw Company B, 161 st Medical Battalion - Marietta 1148th Transportation Company- Thomasville and Moultrie 190th Military Police Company- Kennesaw 878th Engineer Battalion -Augusta, Swainsboro, Sandersville, Lyons and Metter 3rd Infantry Detachment- Ft. Stewart (returned in 2003) Company H, 171 st Aviation - Dobbins Air Reserve Base 171 st Combat Aviation Support Battalion - Dobbins Air Reserve Base
Units serving in US (Operation Noble Eagle): 148th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) - Winder 202nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment - Kennesaw 1177th Transportation Company - LaGrange and Cedartown 75th Engineer Detachment - Ft. Stewart 1230th Transportation Company- Bainbridge and Columbus 178th Military Police Company - Monroe 11214th Field Artillery- Elberton, Hartwell, Athens, Thomson, Washington, Waynesboro,
Toccoa 110th Corps Support Battalion Headquarters - Columbus 166th Maintenance Company- Jackson 82nd Maintenance Company - Columbus 165th Quartermaster Company - Brunswick
Georgia Air National Guard
500 currently mobilized (approximate) 900 mobilized at the peak of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Number of airmen on duty vary as individuals rotate on and off active duty) Units with Airmen mobilized:
116th Air Control Wing - Robins Air Force Base 165th Airlift Wing - Savannah 117 Air Control Squadron - Savannah 165th Air Support Operations Squadron - Brunswick 202nd Enginering Installation Squadron - Macon 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron - Brunswick 283rd Communications Squadron - Dobbins Air Reserve Base/Marietta 116th Security Police Squadron - Robins Air Force Base 165th Security Police Squadron - Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center - Savannah
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

The Georgia Department of Defense performs a variety of nontraditional missions which capitalize on the unique capabilities and assets of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard and State Defense Force. These missions are under the direction of the Joint Operations Directorate headquartered at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta. Missions include the Counterdrug Task Force, the Youth Challenge Academy, the 4th Civil Support Team, the State Partnership Program and STARBASE. The Join Operations Directorate is also re,: sponsible for planning and coordinating military support to civil authorities including homeland defense operations.
Counterdrug
Task Force
The Counterdrug Task Force implements the Governor's State Plan by supporting federal , state and local law enforcement agencies (LEA) statewide. During 2003 , the unit participated in operations resulting in the seizure of more than $75 thousand worth of marijuana plants and more than 3,600 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $43 million. The Reconnaissance and Interdiction Detachment (RAID) flew its OH-58 observation helicopters, equipped with state-ofthe-art technology, over 1000 hours in support of law enforcement agencies throughout the state. In another important strategy in the battle to keep drugs off the streets , the Drug Demand Reduction Program took drug awareness training to nearly one-million Georgia young people through schools , community-based organizations and government agencies. Pictured above, as part of the drug demand reduction effort, elementery school children meet "Jenny" the task force's drug-sniffing dog.

Youth

Challenge

Academy

Georgia's highly acclaimed Youth

Challenge Academy graduated

four classes during 2003 from the Fort Stewart campus near Hinesville, and the Fort Gordon fa-

-

ci Iity near Augusta. Since the

program 's inception ten years

ago, more than 4,600 formerly "at-

risk" teens have graduated from

the National Guard-sponsored pro-

gram . Youth Challenge is a unique initiative that helps Georgia's high school dropouts earn a GED or high

school diploma. It also teaches them important "life skills" focusing on subjects that help prepare students for

meeting future adult obligations. During a five-month residence phase YCA uses discipline, structure, and a

healthy lifestyle to help students get their lives "back on track. " Youth Challenge is not a disciplinary boot

camp and attendance is voluntary. The program uses a structured military setting and cadets are trained in

traditional drill and ceremonies, military customs and courtesies , teamwork, and military leadership. The

program is very successful with more than 20 percent of graduates continuing their education in colleges or

votech schools ; 17 percent joining the military and 55 percent finding meaningful employment.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

4th Civil Support Team
Based at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, the 4th Civil Support Team is a 22-member unit whose mission is to support local incident commanders by assessing a suspected weapons of mass destruction (WMD) events. The team advises civilian responders about appropriate actions and works to both facilitate and expedite the arrival of additional forces if needed . The 4th CST is equipped with state of the art detection , analytical , and protective equipment along with secure satellite and cellular telephone communications . The unit participates in both military and emergency responder training and team members undergo approximately 600 hours of specialized training above their military occupational skill education requirements. In addition to responding to suspected WMD incidents , the team is routinely called upon to "sweep" public and high profile events for potential presence of weapons of mass destruction.
State Partnership Program
The Georgia National Guard has partnered with the Republic of Georgia since the mid1990's and has built a strong working relationship between the two countries. One Georgia Guardsman serves as a full-time liaison in Tiblisi , the country 's capitol city. The program focus is on three key areas: enhancing the Republic of Georgia's ability to respond to emergencies (similar to the U.S. National Guard's role during state emergencies); assisting Georgia in building a viable helicopter aviation program ; and assisting with humanitarian assistance engineering efforts. Because of its strategic location , Georgia continues to be important to US interests because of oil pipelines running through the region . Georgia is also significant in the global War on Terrorism since an unknown number of al Qaida groups are believed to have hidden out in the remote Pankisi Gorge .
STARBASE
STARBASE is part of a nationwide , highly interactive academic enrichment program designed to reinforce math and science skills for elementary age students by introducing them to aviation and space exploration . Fifth graders from selected schools attend the course for a full day each week for five weeks. Students perform in hands-on experiments and simulations, and go on field trips to see the various Air Force and Army aviation facilities and equipment. Activities include rocket building , problem solving exercises, science experiments and flight simulation in the facility's computer lab. The curriculum has been designed to correlate with the Georgia 5th grade Quality Core Curriculum for math , science and technology. STARBASE is housed in a specially built facility at Dobbins Air Reserve Base .
2003 ANNUAL REPORT

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Commander: Brig. Gen. Joel Seymour Command Sergeant Major: Cmd. Sgt. Maj . Peter Bardoul The Georgia State Defense Force is an all-volunteer organization that forms the third leg of the Georgia Department of Defense. In the long standing heritage of the "Minuteman," these volunteers serve only in support of the DoD's state mission and cannot be federalized . Since the attacks on America in September, 2001, the ranks of the State Defense Force have increased dramatically as citizens across Georgia looked for ways to serve . The uniformed , disciplined and trained force , numbering more than 650 , can be mobilized rapidly to provide immediate, short-term aid and support to local communities. A major component of the SDF's support is providing trained personnel to help staff state emergency operations centers during times of crisis . It is also available to support Georgia National Guard forces deployed on state missions and to provide assistance to the families of federalized National Guard members. In 2003 the State Defense Force conducted a number of training exercises across the state including a three-day annual training in Cochran where members sharpened skills such as search and rescue , and medivac operations. The organization also played a significant role in several homeland secu rity exercises held through the year. A true community-based organization , the State Defense Forces also devotes much of its efforts to providing community relations support. During the past year the SDF provided valuable help during events such as Macon 's Cherry Blossom Festival and various veterans celebrations across the state.
Members of the Georgia State Defense Force test their ability to react and to attend to victims as part of a mass casualty exercise during the unit's annual training in Cochran.
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Over the past three years, the Georgia Department of Defense has embarked on a major project to renovate aging armories across the state. Many were built in the 1950s and 1960s, and were in desperate need of renovation and modernization. A typical project includes the renovation of all interior space and systems. The upgrades will include finishes and code compliance issues, primarily sanitary, electrical , mechanical, ADA and Life Safety codes . Most armories also receive new, metal roofs and separate outside metal storage buildings. A typical renovation lasts 270 to 450 calendar days, and costs around $750 thousand . The projects began in FY-2000 and by 1 January 2004 some 31 armories have either been renovated or are currently under repair. Thirty-three additional armories and other facilities are scheduled over the next four years.

Armories completed or currently under renovation:

Albany Americus Augusta Bainbridge Calhoun Canton Cedartown Charlie Brown

Cordele Covington Dobbins Bldg 554 Eastman Elberton Glennville Griffin Hawkinsville

Jesup Lawrenceville Lyons Marietta Metter Montezuma Newnan Rome

Springfield Swainsboro Toccoa Valdosta Waynesboro Winder Winder Army Aviation
Support Facility

Armories and other facilities scheduled for renovation in coming years:

Brunswick Columbus

Forsyth Ft. Benning

Hartwell Hinesville

Milledgeville Monroe

Dalton Decatur Douglas Douglasville

facility Ft. Gordon
facility Ft. Gillem

Jackson Kennesaw Lagrange Macon-Russell

Moultrie Sandersville Savannah Statesboro

Dublin Fitzgerald

facility Gainesville

Marietta (Corps of Eng. Bldg)

Thomson Thomasville

Thomaston Tifton Washington Waycross Winder

Joined by local community leaders, Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, cuts the ribbon of the newly renovated Albany Armory. The facility is one of 31 to be totally renovated in the past three years.
2003 ANNUAL REPORT

Albany Americus Augusta
Atlanta
Bainbridge Brunswick
Calhoun Canton Cedartown Columbus Cordele Covington Dalton Decatur Dobbins ARB
Douglas Doug lasvi Ile Dublin Eastman Elberton Ellenwood
Fitzgerald Forsyth Ft. Gillem
Ft. Gordon Ft. Stewart

Headquarters, 2/121 st Infantry Battalion
Company C, 2/121 st Infantry Battalion
Headquarters, 878th Engineer Battalion Company B, 878th Engineer Battalion Detachment 2, 93rd Signal Brigade Youth Challenge Academy
State Headquartersm , Georgia Department of Defense United States Property and Fiscal Officer 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Combined Support Maintenance Facility
1230th Transportation Company
165th Air Support Operations Squadron 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron 165th POL Quartermaster Company Service Battery, 118th Field Artillery Battalion
Headquarters, 108th Armor Battalion
Company B, 108th Armor Battalion
Detachment 1, 1177th Transportation Company
HD , 110th Combat Support Battalion 82nd Maintenance Company
Company B, 2/ 121 st Infantry Battalion
Company B(-), 1/121 st Infantry Battalion
Company C, 108th Armor Battalion
Headquarters, 78th Troop Command 265th Engineer Group
Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard 283rd Combat Communications Squadron 1/171 st Combat Support Aviation Battalion Company H, 171 st Aviation Regiment Detachment 9, Operational Support Airlift Command Reconnaissance and Air Interdiction Detachment (RAID) Army Aviation Support Facility #2
Company C, 648th Engineer Battalion
Detachment 1/HHC, 108th Armor Battalion
Company A, 148th Forward Support Battalion
Detachment 1, Company B, 648th Engineer Battalion
Headquarters , 11214th Field Artillery Battalion
Headquarters, Georgia Army National Guard 116th Army Band 118th Personnel Service Company Medical Detachment
Detachment 1, Company B, 2/121 st Infantry Battalion
Headquarters, 148th Forward Support Battalion
Headquarters, 221 st Military Intelligence Battalion Company A, 221 st Military Intelligence Battalion Company B, 221 st Military Intelligence Battalion Company H, 121 st Infantry 248th Military Intelligence Company
Youth Challenge Academy
National Guard Training Center 3rd Infantry Detachment 75th Engineer Detachment Youth Challenge Academy Regional Training Site- Maintenance Combined Support Maintenance Facility
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Gainesville Glennville Griffin Hartwell Hinesville Jackson Jesup Kennesaw
Lagrange Lavonia Lawrenceville Louisville Lyons Macon
Marietta
Metter Milledgeville Monroe Montezuma Moultrie Newnan Robins Air Force Base Rome Sandersville Savannah
Springfield Statesboro Swainsboro Thomaston Thomasville Thompson Tifton Toccoa Townsend Valdosta Washington Waycross Waynesboro Winder

Company C, 1/121 st Infantry Battalion Company A, 648th Engineer Battalion Troop E, 108th Cavalry Battery A, 11214th Field Artillery Battalion Company B, 148th Forward Support Battalion 166th Maintenance Company Battery C, 118th Field Artillery Battalion 781 st Troop Command Battalion 190th Military Police Company 277th Maintenance Company 1177th Trans Company Detachment 1, Battery A, 11214th Field Artillery Company A, 1/121 st Infantry Battalion Detachment 1 Battery C, 11214th Field Artillery Company C(-), 878th Engineer Battalion Headquarters, 48th Infantry Brigade (M) Company C, 148th Forward Support Battalion 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron Regional Training Institute Company B, 161 st Medical 202nd Ordnance Detachment. (EOD) Detachment 1, Company C, 878th Engineer Battalion Detachment 1, Headquarters Company, 1/121 st Infantry Battalion 178th Military Police Company Company B, 648th Engineer Battalion Detachment 1, 1148th Transportation Company 201 st Supply and Service Battalion 116th Air Control Wing Company A, 108th Armor Battalion Detachment 1,Company A, 878th Engineer Battalion 165th Airlift Wing Combat Readiness Training Center 117th Air Control Squadron 122nd Rear Operations Center Headquarters, 118th Field Artillery Battalion Battery B, 118th Field Artillery Battalion Detachment 1, Company F, 131 st Aviation Army Aviation Support Facility #3 Battery A, 118th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters, 648th Engineer Battalion Company A, 878th Engineer Battalion Company B, 1/121 st Infantry Battalion 1148th Transportation Company Battery B, 11214th Field Artillery Battalion Detachment 1, Headquarters Company, 2/ 121 st Infantry Battalion Service Battery 11214th Field Artillery Battalion Townsend Bombing Range Company A, 2/121 st Infantry Battalion Detachment 1, Battery B, 11214th Field Artillery Battalion Detachment 1, Company C, 648th Engineer Battalion Battery C, 11214th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters, 1/121 st Infantry Battalion Company C, 1/171 st Combat Support Aviation Battalion Company E, 1/171 st Combat Support Aviation Battalion Company D, 3126th Aviation Regiment Army Aviation Support Facility #1
2003 ANNUAL REPORT

Georgia's long and rich military history began in England in the early 1730s. Under the direction of English aristocrat, James Edward Oglethorpe, the future colonists were trained by Sergeants of the Guard to serve as colonial militia. Settling in Georgia in 1733, Oglethorpe and his militia, along with his British regulars defended the colony against hostile Native Americans and in July 1742 drove Spanish invaders from its shores at the Battle of Bloody Marsh.
Georgia's militia forces joined with General George Washington to secure American independence. At Fort Morris near Sunbury, General John McIntosh responded to a British demand for surrender with the spirit which exemplified Georgia's military forces throughout the decades: "We would rather perish in a vigorous defense than accept your proposal sir," wrote McIntosh . "We sir, are fighting the battle of America and therefore disdain to remain neutral til its fate is determined . As to surrendering the Fort receive this reply, Come and take it!"
Patriotic volunteer militia highlighted the frontier period of the new state. Men of the "Georgia Battalion " aided Texas in its fight for independence from Mexico in 1836. That same year, the Macon Vol unteers, among other militia companies , volunteered to help remove the Seminole Indians from Florida and engaged Osceola at the Withlacoochee swamp during the second Seminole War.
In the War Between the States , Georgia responded by filling volunteer regiments , battalions, and batteries, numbering 130, second in number only to Virginia. Georgia troops fought in both the Eastern and Western theaters , and state defense militia tried desperately to stem Sherman's 'March to the Sea' after the burning of Atlanta.
Following Reconstruction and the reestablishment of a state military force in the late 19th century, Georgia Guardsmen trained and prepared for service both domestically and abroad. In 1898, Georgia raised 3,000 troops for the Spanish-American War effort, the last major conflict prior to the dawning of the Georgia Guard 's modern era.
This modem era began in 1903 with the designation of the militia as the "National Guard" and the end of the separate Black Militia. As Georgia National Guardsmen , the state's military forces were often called to quell domestic disturbances - for the most part sparked by labor strikes - and to assist in carry-

ing out court mandated death sentences and to aid in recovery from natural disaster.
In 1916, Georgia National Guardsmen deployed to the Mexican border to help General John J . Pershing hunt down the Mexican bandit Pancho Villa who had been raiding U.S. settlements.
A year later in 1917, Georgia boys were "over there ," fighting for victory in the Great War in Europe.
The 151 st Machine Gun Battalion of the Georgia National Guard became part of the 42nd "Rainbow" Division and experienced 167 days in combat with the enemy.
Some 23 years later, (1940) the Georgia National Guard , along with the National Guard of every state , was mobilized for one year, ostensibly for training . "Goodbye dear, I'll be back in a year" was a popular tune of the day as Guardsmen left their homes throughout Georgia. But before they could return Pearl Harbor was bombed and the United States entered the war.
During World War II , Georgia Army National Guardsmen, as part of the 30th and 8th Infantry Divisions , served with distinction in France , landing there just after D-Day. In Italy Georgia Air Guardsmen flew bombing runs ; and in the Pacific Georgia Guardsmen fought on Guadalcanal , New Guinea and other engagements. Following the war, the Georgia Army and Air National Guard was reorganized . In the 1950s Georgia Air National Guardsmen were activated for the Korean Conflict. And in the 1960s and 1970s, Air National Guardsmen were called upon to fly airlift missions into South Vietnam. In 1990 and 1991 , more than 5,000 Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen were mobilized to serve during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. More than 700 of the Georgia men and women called to active duty saw service in Saudi Arabia while others served in the United States in a variety of missions. The federal mobilizations continued as the millennium drew to a close when three units were called to serve in Bosnia, including the 48th Infantry Brigade which deployed some 1,200 Guardsmen to the Balkans in 2001 . Today's Georgia National Guard is part of the total force policy and trains to fight and to win on today's battlefields with the technology and weaponry of tomorrow ; they continue the historic tradition of yesterday's Georgia militia and National Guard.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE