2004 annual report of the Georgia Department of Defense

Georgia Department of Defense PO Box 17965
Atlanta, Georgia 30316
My Fellow Georgians:
As our state and nation enters a new year, we who serve our fellow citizens at the Georgia Department of Defense reflect on the past with pride and look to the future with confidence. Every branch of our organization from our state and federal civilian workforce to uniformed members of the Army and Air National Guard and State Defense Force - answered the call to defend our freedom -first heard at Lexington Green in April 1775.
At this moment, our largest Army National Guard unit, the 48th Infantry Brigade has mobilized and will soon deploy abroad. Indeed nearly 400 Georgia Guardsmen are currently in-theater and over the past year we have proudly welcomed home more than 2,600 veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. These men and women have truly written a new chapter in Georgia's military history, begun by the first militiaman of General James Oglethorpe in 1733.
Our Air Guardsmen of the 116th Air Control Wing continue to fly the unique J-STARS mission providing invaluable intelligence to our forces on the ground, while members of the 165th Airlift Wing continue to deliver the materiel needed to ensure victory. Other Air Guardsmen - members of our communications, engineer and tactical air control units - have returned from long, often unpublicized deployments abroad and throughout our nation.
Yet, while we have tended to the business of war, we have not neglected the security requirements of our state and its citizens. In July 2004, Guardsmen and members of the State Defense Force joined forces to help secure the G8 Economic Summit, the conference of the world's most powerful leaders, held on Sea Island. Guardsmen and State Defense Force members were charged with the safety of the President of the United States and his guests, but also of the citizens of Georgia who might have found themselves caught up in a terrorist incident.
Underpinning all this activity has been our great state civilian workforce performing such tasks as facility construction and repair, planning, payroll, and other important administrative functions. This year we also have significantly expanded both the size and the mission scope of our all-volunteer State Defense Force.
Finally, it is impossible to overstate the importance of the ongoing support of our families, employers and communities. Knowing that their families are secure and their jobs protected our citizen soldiers can focus all of their skill, energy and determination on the task of defending America.
Without doubt, 2004 was one of our most challenging years in decades for the Georgia National Guard. But the citizens of Georgia may rest assured that the men and women of the Georgia National Guard will continue to serve our state and nation with patriotism, pride and professionalism.
Sincerely
David B. oythress Major General The Adjutant General

Our Organization

116th Air Control Wing
165th Airlift Wing

3rd Br,gade
~ I l
4th Br1gade
.,,

Directorate of Commurncat1ons
Directorate of Workforce Development
F1nanc1al Management 01v1s1on
Facilities Management Div1s1on
Information Technology Division
Organizational Development
United States Property & Fiscal Office

Our Dual Mission
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 more than 7,000 Georgia National Guard members have been federally mobilized to participate in the War on Terrorism, including more than 4,000 members of the 48th Infantry Brigade scheduled to deploy to Iraq in mid-2005.
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 the G8 Economic Summit 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. More than 5,000 National Guard members were on duty along Georgia's coast and throughout the state as part of the multi-agency security efforts during the G8 Economic Summit. Other sgnificant state deployments have included the flooding in central and southwest Georgia in 1994 and 1998; Operation Centennial Guard during the Olympic Games in 1996 and Operation Skyguard in our state's airports in 2001 and 2002.
Total Georgia DoD personnel called to State Active Duty 1993-2004: Over 15,000

The Georgia Air National Guard is comprised of 3,000 airmen and officers assigned to two major flying wings and six geographically separated units (GSUs) scattered throughout Georgia. Georgia's Air Guard has the distinction of having the nation's only "blended wing," the 116th Air Control Wing with National Guardsmen and active duty Airmen serving in the same unit under a National Guard commander. The unit flies the complex I-STARS mission in which aircraft fly over the battlefield providing ground commanders with real-time intelligence.
During the past year, the Georgia Air Guard provided significant support to the Global War on Terrorism with nearly 1,000 members serving on active duty in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle. In addition, the Air Guard played a significant role during the G8 Economic Summit.
The two major flying units of the Georgia Air National Guard are the 116th Air Control Wing from Robins Air Force Base, and the 165th Airlift Wing based in Savannah. During the year, both units continued support for the Global War on Terrorism. Highlights during this past year at each unit include:
116th Air Control Wing- Tom Lynn, commander of the 116th Air Control Wing, was promoted to Brigadier General. The 116th ACW earned the prestigious Spaatz Trophy as the outstanding Air National Guard flying unit in the nation, as well as an unprecidented twelfth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Security forces from the 116th assisted security operations at GS Summit.

165th Airlift Wing-The unit flies C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft carrying personnel and equipment around the world. Unit members and aircraft continue to be deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism and security personnel assisted in security operations at the G8 Summit. Colonel Tom Moore, formerly vice commander of the 165th, was appointed commander of the 900-person unit in 2004.
GSUs and Other Units
At State Headquarters, Brigadier General Scott A. Hammond was appointed by Governor Sonny Purdue as commander of the 3,000-member Georgia Air National Guard. Colonel Steven Westgate, former commander of Savannah 's 165th Airlift Wing, succeeded Hammond as the Georgia Air National Guard's chief of staff.
Colonel Floyd Harbin took command of Savannah's Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) after serving as commander of Brunswick 's 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron for more than five years.
Lieutenant Colonel William Collins, Jr. took command of the 200-member 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron (JCSS) in Brunswick.
Brunswick's 165th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) was the recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 2004. As well, the unit has deployed air controllers to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror. Twelve re-

turning 165th ASOS Guardsmen received the Bronze Star for Valor for service during combat.
Georgia Air Guardsmen of the 117th Air Control Squadron at Hunter Army Airfield were responsible for the design and operation of the Joint Air Defense Operations Center in Washington D.C., that protects the nation's capitol from the threat of terrorist attacks from the air.

dollar series of facilities enhancements that leaders envisage will make it the most modern training facility in the nation. The CRTC's 165th Fire Protection Branch won distinction as the Fire Department of the Year for the Air National Guard.
Senior Master Sgt Robert Colley of Macon's 202 Engineering Installation Squadron was chosen as Engineer of the Year for the Air National Guard.

Eighteen Air Guardsmen of the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron were deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Air Expeditionary Force. The Dobbins-based combat communications unit was also selected to participate in the Joint User Interoperability Communications exercise, an multiagency, advanced DOD exercise to test and validate the integration of highly advanced communications equipment and policy for the military.
Savannah's Combat Readiness Training Center, one of the nation 's most active training centers in the Air National Guard, continued a multi-million

Georgia Air Guardsmen were actively involved in multiple operations supporting the G8 Economic Summit at Sea Island. Air Guard Commander, Maj. Gen. William Searcy (now retired) was responsible for all air operations for the event. Air Guard communications specialists from the 224th Joint Communications Squadron , 165th Air Support Operations Suadron, and 283rd Combat Communications Squadron established and maintained reliable communications networks for the G8, and select Air Guard personnel in logistics, personnel, administration and public affairs worked closely with Secret Service and state and federal officials.

High above the battlefield, aboard a high-tech J-STARS aircraft, members of the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Wing provide real-time intellegence to commanders on the ground.

The Georgia Army National Guard is comprised of nearly 9,000 citizen-soldiers drilling in some 60 hometown armories across the state.

dom and Noble Eagle. In addition, the Army National Guard played a key role during the G8 Economic Summit hosted on the Georgia coast by President George

Georgia 's Army Guard is the 13th largest in the nation W. Bush by operating task forces in Savannah, the

and is composed of combat, combat support and com- Brunswick-St. Simons-Sea Island area and Atlanta.

bat service support units.

The Army Guard in Georgia includes three major

During the past year, the Georgia Army Guard pro- commands: the 48th Infantry Brigade, the 78th Troop

vided significant support to the Global War on Terror- Command and the 1st Aviation Group.

ism with nearly 4,000 members serving on active duty as part of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Free-

48th Infantry Brigade - Headquartered in Macon, the brigade is the largest

unit of the Georgia Army Na-

tional Guard with nearly 4,500

members drilling in more than

30 hometown armories. In

November 2004, the 48th In-

fantry received orders for mo-

bilization in support of Opera-

tion Iraqi Freedom with an ex-

pected deployment to the

Middle East in mid-2005.

Leaders and key personnel re-

ported for duty in December,

with the remainder of the Bri-

gade reporting in January

2005 for intensive training at

Fort Stewart and at the Na-

tional Training Center in Cali-

fornia. This deployment

comes on the heels of a high

Working alonside civilian first responders, Soldiers of the 148th Medical Company
from Winder demonstrate their capabilities during a community event in north Georgia. The 148th spent more than a year on active duty providing helicopter medial evacuation services at Fort Hood and five other army installations in the southwest.

profile and very successful nine-month rotation to Bosnia
in 2001.

78th Troop Command - With headquarters in Decatur, the 78th Troop Command is composed of military intelligence, artillery, engineer, military police, medical, transportation, and maintenance units. Since September 11, 2001, more than 3,000 members, representing virtually every unit assigned to the 78th, mobilized and deployed in support the Global War on Terrorism. During 2004 Troop Command units served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as at various military bases across the United States.
1st Aviation Group - Units of the 1st Aviation Group fly rotary and fixed wing aircraft from flight facilities at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah and Winder Municipal Airport. Nearly every aviation unit in the Georgia Army National Guard has mobilized in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In 2004, three units were deployed

to the Middle East, including the 171stAviation Battalion (Dobbins ARB) which flies UH-60 Black Hawks; Detachment 1, Company F, 131st Aviation (Savannah) which flies CH-47 Chinooks; and Company H, 171st Aviation Regiment (Dobbins ARB) which flies C-23 Sherpas.
The Army component of the Georgia National Guard Joint Force Headquarters is located adjacent to Fort Gillem in Ellenwood. In addition to its three major commands, the Georgia Army National Guard includes the Regional Training Institute in Macon, home of the state Officer Candidate School, and other professional development programs; and the National Guard Training Center at Ft. Stewart that provides housing, equipment, maintenance facilities and training sites for National Guard units from Georgia and other states.

2nd Lt. Carmen Lowery (right) shouts instructions above the din of rotating helicopter blades to 1st Sgt. Anthony Willams during the mobilization of a quick reaction force at the GB Economic Summit. The soldiers are members of the 190th Military Police Company from Kennesaw.

The motto of the Georgia State Defense Force is Parati Servire, Ready to Serve. Over the past year, members of the Georgia State De-

educators, chemists, law officers, engineers, technologists, and homemakers. There is tremendous expertise throughout the force in both military and civilian profes-

fense Force (GSDF) lived up to that motto serving their sional areas. More than 50 percent of the officers in

communities, state, and nation by contributing more than the GSDF have advanced education degrees, and many,

38,665 volunteer hours to public service activities at an though not all, have prior military experience.

approximate civilian market value of $4.2 million.

The purpose of the GSDF is to provide a profes-

The Georgia State Defense Force is authorized un- sional complement to federal and state missions by help-

der the Official Code of Georgia, Title 38. It is an all ing the National Guard as a force multiplier, and to as-

volunteer, unsalaried, structured, uniformed military sist civil authorities with disaster relief efforts, humani-

branch of the Georgia Department of Defense. The tarian causes, and promoting the well-being of the state's

GSDFhas more than doubled in size since 9/11/01, grow- citizens.

ing from 300 to more than 600 today and contingency With increasingly complex demands falling on the

plans exist to expand the force if necessary up to 5,000 GSDF as more National Guard troops are committed

persons. The men and women of the GSDF come from abroad, the GSDF is streamlining its procedures,

all walks of life and include law enforcement and gov- proactively doing more training and expanding to meet

ernment employees, physicians, lawyers, airline pilots, the escalating demands on the State of Georgia due to

Homeland Security priorities.

THE ROLE OF THE GSDF

Operational missions of the

GSDF more than doubled this

When ordered by the Adjutant General, The Georgia State Defense Force provides an organized, trained, disciplined, rapid response uniformed force. Volunteers respond to needs and emergency situations as defined by the Adjutant General or the Governor.

past year, including significant manpower augmentation of National Guard forces during the G8 Economic Summit and

The GSDF performs a variety of tasks in support of the Georgia Department of Defense and its National Guard elements, including legal assistance, medical support, family assistance, technical support including communications, engineering and environmental support, and other specialized types of skilled assistance, plus the provision of augmentation troops where needed
In addition, the GSDF performs civil support operational missions such as evacuation and_ traffic control assistance during natural disasters, on site security, crowd control and medical first aid for major public gatherings, and maintains liaison with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and local law enforcement agencies. During disaster situations it provides staffing to the GEMA and GaDOD emergency operations centers.

participation in homeland security exercises. The year involved heavy emphasis on contingency planning, infrastructure refinement, training, and administrative upgrades. A singular accomplishment in 2004 was the establishment of a GSDF unit on campus at North Georgia College and State University.

I
YOUR STATE DEFENSE FORCE AT WORK

Providing uniformed manpower support to the Georgia Department of Defense and National Guard at the G8 Economic Summit

$4,500,000 $4 ,000,000

Ensuring order at annual Wings Over Georgia Airshow by providing troops fo r crowd control, security augmentation and on site medical first aid support
Providing medical support to the Georgia Army and Air National Guard in conducting medical exams

$3,5000,00 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000

Providing troops for traffic and crowd control as well as security for the annual Memorial Day Ceremonies at Marietta National Cemetery

$1 ,500,000 $1 ,000,000

Performing chaplaincy services and providing family counseling

$500,000 $0

Providing troops for traffic and crowd control for the an-

nual Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon

Georgia's State Defense Force has experienced major

Assisting with and participation in Georgia Emergency

expansion in strength and volunteer hours during the past

Management Agency and the Georgia Department of Defense

fiscal year. During the past year, the Georgia State De-

hurricane preparedness exercises

fense Force's volunteer citizen-soldiers contributed more

Providing information technology, engineering, logistics

than 5,113 days of operational services. This has resulted

planning, organizational improvement, legal , environmental ,

in saving the state and its communities an estimated $4.1

public affairs and other specialty support and assitance to the

million if calculated using commercial sector rates, and

Georgia Department of Defense and National Guard

$1.02 million if computed at the more nominal State De-

fense Force rates. This is a significant increase in man-

Maintaining capacity to provide biomedical , chemical

days over the past year, when GSDF members contrib-

and HAZMAT specialty support to the Georgia National

uted 1,797 man-days at a cost of $1.5 million commer-

:::=.=============================-------- Guard, ifneeded

cially and $383,000 for military equivalent rates.

A team of Georgia's State Defense Force troopers load a patient onto an awaiting MEDIVAC helicopter during a mass casualty exercise at the unit's annual training.

The Georgia Department of Defense and National Guard continue to provide significant contributions to America 's Global War on Terror. Entering 2005, Georgia is in the midst of its largest call-up of Guardsmen in support of the war effort with more than 3,000 members of the 48th Infantry Brigade reporting for duty.

Georgia's total contribution to the Global War on Terror is

impressive . . .

A total of nearly 7,000 Army Guard members have

been called to duty since September 11, 2001

Some 360 Army National Guardsmen are currently

serving in the Middle East

By mid-2005, more than 5,700 Army Guard mem-

bers will have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait

or other locations in the theater of operations

Across Georgia, families said tearful goodbyes in

Every Army National Guard unit in Georgia, with the 2004 to Soldiers and Airmen deploying overseas
to support the Global War on Terror.
exception of two small detachments and several

headquarters functions, have seen active duty.

Three Georgia Army National Guard units have mobilized twice since September 11.

At the peak of Operation Iraqi Freedom, more than 900 Georgia Air National Guard members were

mobilized.

Every Air National Guard unit in Georgia has made contributions to the Global War on Terror.

48th Infantry Brigade
Deploys To Iraq in Mid-2005
The year 2005 began with the largest call up of Georgia Army National Guardsmen since the first Gulf War. More than 3,000 members of the 48th Infantry Brigade reported in early January for training. The 48th Infantry Brigade, which has units in more than 30 cities and towns across the state, reported to Fort Stewart for intensive training before heading to the U.S. Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California for a final mission rehearsal exercise in April. The unit is expected to deploy to Iraq in mid-May.

Georgia National Guard Mobilization Update
As of March 1, 2005
Georgia Army National Guard
Units mobilized in preparation for Operations Iraqi Freedom 48th Infantry Brigade - Macon and 31 other hometowns
Units deployed overseas (Part of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom) 118th Personnel Service Company - Ellenwood 3rd Infantry Detachment - Ft. Stewart (2nd rotation)
Units serving in US (Part of Operation Noble Eagle) 1177th Transportation Company - LaGrange and Cedartown 75th Engineer Detachment - Ft Stewart 1230th Transportation Company-Bainbridge and Columbus
Units returned from active duty 122nd Rear Operations Center - Savannah 3rd Infantry Detachment - Ft. Stewart 221st Military Intelligence Battalion - Fort Gillem 11214th Field Artillery - Elberton, Hartwell, Athens, Thomson, Washington, Waynesboro, Toccoa 190th Military Police Company- Kennesaw (2 rotations) 178th Military Police Company - Monroe (2 rotations) 148th Medical Company (Air Ambulance)- Winder 82nd Maintenance Company - Columbus 265th Engineer Group - Decatur 277th Maintenance Company - Kennesaw Company B, 161 st Medical Battalion - Marietta 166th Maintenance Company - Jackson 878th Engineer Battalion -Augusta, Swainsboro, Sandersville, Lyons and Metter 202nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment - Kennesaw 178th Military Police Company - Monroe (2 rotations) 110th Corps Support Battalion Headquarters - Columbus 165th Quartermaster Company - Brunswick 1148th Transportation Company - Thomasville and Moultrie Company H, 171 st Aviation - Dobbins Air Reserve Base 171st Combat Aviation Support Battalion - Dobbins Air Reserve Base Detachment 1, Company F, 131st Aviation - Savannah (Hunter Army Airfield)
Georgia Air National Guard 116th Air Control Wing- Robins AFB 165th Airlift Wing - Savannah 165th Air Support Operations Squadron - Brunswick 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron - Brunswick 283rd Communications Squadron - Dobbins Air Reserve Base/Marietta 116th Security Police Squadron - Robins AFB 165th Security Police Squadron - Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center - Savannah

m1-c

Consider an event hosted by the President with an invitation list that included nearly two-dozen heads of state. Add 4,000 media representatives

The structure included three task forces: one in the Brunswick-St. Simons area, one in Savannah and a third contingency force in Atlanta.

and thousands of protesters - many bent of disrupting The 48th Infantry Brigade took a break from train-

the festivities.

ing for a 2005 rotation to the National Training Center

That's the scenario that the Georgia National Guard in California to assume responsibility for the Brunswick

and dozens of law enforcement agencies faced during area

the Group of Eight (G8) Summit held at Sea Island in

A second task force was 80 miles away in Savan-

the summer of 2004.

nah, site of the media center and arrival

The annual G8 conference rotates

point for most of the VIPs. The 78th

among the eight member nations. As

Troop Command picked up that mission,

host, President Bush selected Sea Island

even though many of its troops had re-

as the venue. Most of the support activi-

turned from overseas deployments to

ties, as well as media and protester at-

Iraq and the Middle East only months,

tention, spread from St. Simons Island

and in some cases weeks, before.

and Brunswick northward to Savannah.

A third task force - the State head-

"When the governor made the an-

quarters detachment - was in Atlanta,

nouncement that the president had de-

ready to respond to any potential secu-

cided to come to Georgia for the G8 , we

rity threats in the capital city.

knew up front that there would be a huge

Georgia Air National Guard person-

security tasking for the Guard," said Brig.

nel had a significant security presence

Gen. Terry Nesbitt, commander for the Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, the in Savannah, set up communications

Joint Task Force made up of National dual-hatted commander of the sites and flew air missions .

GB military task force

Guard and active military units support-

Another component of the Georgia

ing the summit.

National Guard, the Georgia State Defense Force, which

Under any circumstances an event of the magni- is made up of uniformed, unarmed volunteers, also had

tude of the G8 would pose significant security concerns. a major support role in the G8

Not only were protesters a major concern, but security

"We had tremendous State Defense Force partici-

planners also had to consider the threat of terrorism. pation in essentially a front line role - not a combatant

Indeed, the nation 's threat level had been elevated amid role, but they were out there engaged daily in a big

intelligence chatter that major events in the U.S., in- way," said Maj. Gen. David Poythress, Georgia's Ad-

cluding the G8 , could be likely targets.

jutant General.

The White House classified the G8 as a National

The G8 Summit marked one of the first times the

Special Security Event, and appointed the Secret Ser- National Guard had worked in close coordination with

vice as the lead agency.

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM). That rela-

Ultimately, nearly 5,000 Georgia Army and Air Na- tionship led to an unprecedented opportunity to assemble

tional Guard members directly supported the G8 secu- a groundbreaking command structure that has already

rity mission.

proven to have significant implications for future home-

land defense and military support operations. In a historic announcement the Adjutant General of
Georgia chose Nesbitt, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, as Joint Task Force Commander. In addition to Guard forces, he commanded active duty Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. "That required an agreement between the president and the governor under the 2004 Defense Authorization Bill," Poythress said.
National Guard troops on state status can assist police forces within their state, but troops on federal status legally cannot perform law enforcement duties, and were assigned to other missions, some highly specialized.
Also at the ready was the Navy's USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship with a crew of 1,000. It was anchored offshore, and ready if needed.
From a command perspective, said Poythress, it made sense for the Guard to be in charge, and could be a model for similar joint force operations..
It would take active duty forces at least 48 hours to get in place, while the Guard already has a command structure in place, he said.
"We know the sheriff. We know the chief of police. We know the fire marshal. It would make sense for the federal forces to roll up under that Guard structure and begin work immediately rather than have to go through the process of exchanging business cards and sorting out relationships in the midst of a crisis," he added.
Some planners predicted that thousands of protesters would take advantage of the summit to advance

their agenda, and some could resort to anarchy and violence.
Early on, the Georgia National Guard trained with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to know how to protect the right of peaceful protest and to respond to disruptions if necessary.
The model used during the G8 was a concept called Mobile Field Forces (MFFs), an interagency team essentially comprised of half Guardsmen and half law enforcement that makes use of the Guard's traditional civil disturbance training.
Leading up to the summit, the MFFs trained together. They were equipped with both non-lethal and lethal capabilities and were supported by incident response teams and prisoner processing teams.
Protester activity ultimately was lighter than expected. Instead of hundreds of arrests, there were fewer than 15, and MFFs deployed infrequently.
A Model for the Future Perhaps one of the most significant benefits to come from the Georgia Guard's support to the G8 Summit is the impact it will have on future homeland security and homeland defense operations involving the active military and the National Guard. Guard leaders called it a model for future operations. Nesbitt added that the way the Georgia National Guard supported the G8 summit validates the transformation that is taking place in the National Guard, wherein the Guard will exercise key command and control over joint military forcesin responding to homeland security missions.

Georgia National Guardsmen teamed with state law enforcement to form inter-agency Mobile Field Forces, ready to protect lives and property in the event demonstrations got our of hand during the GS Economic Summit.

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. Missions include the Youth Challenge Academy, the 4th Civil Support Team , the State Partnership Program, STARBASE and the Counterdrug Task Force . The Joint Operations Directorate is also responsible for planning and coordinating military support to civil authorities including homeland defense operations.
Youth Challenge Academy
A Georgia youth gets "another chance to succeed" as Major General David Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General, presents his diploma during Youth Challenge Academy graduation ceremonies.
Georgia's highly acclaimed Youth Challenge Academy graduated four classes during 2004 from the Fort Stewart campus near Hinesville, and the Fort Gordon campus near Augusta. Since the program's inception ten years ago, more than 5,200 formerly "at-risk" teens have graduated from the National Guard-sponsored program. 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 civilian employment.

I
4th Civil Support Team
A member ofthe Dobbins-based 4th Civil Support Team uses a sophisticated monitoring devise to check an office for possible weapons of mass destruction during a training exercise in north Georgia.
B ased 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 suspected weapons of mass destruction (WMD) events. The team advises civilian responders about appropriate actions and provides techincal coordination to facilitate 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 first 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" high profile public events for the potential presence of weapons of mass destruction.
State Partnership Program
Major Bobby Brookshire gives Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidzi a tour of the Kennesaw armory during the Minister's 2004 visit to the U.S.
The Georgia National Guard has partnered with the Republic of Georgia since the mid-1990'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 capital city. The program focus is on three key areas: enhancing the Republic of Georgia's ability to respond to emergencies (similar to U.S. National Guard's role during state emergencies); assisting Georgia in building a viable helicopter aviation program; and assisting with humanitarian and engineering efforts. Because of its strategic location, Georgia continues to be important to U.S. 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
Students from Cobb County's Westside Elementary get hands-on experience in the STARBASE flight simulator lab.
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 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.
Counterdrug Task Force
The Georgia National Guard's Reconnaissance and Interdiction Detachment (RAID) flies OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopters to provide aerial support and reconnaissance for law enforcement members of the Governor's Counterdrug Task Force. The Counterdrug Task Force implements the Governor's State Counterdrug Plan by supporting federal, state and local law enforcement agencies statewide. During 2004, the unit participated in operations resulting in the seizure of 9,646 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $23 million. The Counterdrug Task Force also supported operations netting over 350 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $4 million. The Reconnaissance and Interdiction Detachment flew its OH-58 observation helicopters, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, over 800 hours in support of law enforcement agencies throughout the state. The RAID detachment also supported operation "Winter Freeze," a comprehensive joint-mission to enhance the security of the U.S. northern border. In another important strategy for Georgia's youth to "Keep Your Guard Up Against Drugs," the Drug Demand Reduction Team presented drug awareness training to nearly 721,000 Georgia young people through schools, community-based organizations and government agencies.

~
tD

Georgia Department of Defense

0-,

Facilities and Hometowns

a.9.
~

Albany

Americus

C

Augusta

Headquarters, 21121st Infantry Battalion
Company C, 2/12lst Infantry Battalion Headquarters, 878th Engineer Baffiilion

0
C

Company B, 878th Engineer Battalion Detachment 2, 93n1 Signal Bde Youth Challen e Academ

C:

Atlanta

a::s

State Headquarters, Georgia State Defense Force First Brigade, Georgia State Defense Force United States Property and Fiscal Officer 1241h Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Combined Support Maintenance Facility

:~ :s
.Q,,.

Bainbrid e
Brunswick

1230th T

tion Company

165th Air Support Operations Squadron

224th Joint Communications Support Squadron

165'h POL Quartermaster Company

-,tn---~ .D..

Calhoun
Canton Cedartown

Service Battery, I I8th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters, 108th Armor Battalion Company B, 108th Armor Battalion Detachment 1, 1177th T~tion ComJ)_!IDy

"'

________________ ____ Columbus
.....,.

HD, I 10th Combat Support Battalion 82nd Maintenance Company Detachm,e,.nt 1, 1230th TransportationCompany

Fifth Bri ade, Georgia State Defense Force Head uarters,

Cordele

C

B 21121st Infan Battalion

Covington

Company B(-), l/12lst Infantry Battalion

Dalton

Com))ll!l C, 108th Armor Battalion

Decatur

78th Troop Command

265th Engineer Group

DobbinsARB

Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard

283rd Combat Communications Squadron

11171st Combat Support Aviation Battalion

Company H, 171st Aviation Regiment

Detachment 9, Operational Support Airlift Command

Reconnaissance and Air Interdiction Detachment (RAID)

' - - - - - - - - - - - - --i.i~}'.:.Al!iatliml.li.Jlpll(:!11.Jtxili.lii!l}'..;trl,__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __J

Douglas

Company C, 648th Engineer Battalion

Douglasville

Detachment 1, Company A, 108th Armor Battalion

Dublin

Company A, 148th Support Battalion

Elberton

HHB, 1/ll4th Field Artil1 Battalion

Ellenwood

Headquarters, Georgia Army National Guard 116'h Army Band 118 Personnel Service Company Recruiting and Retention Command Medical Detachment

Fl

D1

y_ B, 21121st Jnfan~ Battalion

Forsyth

HHC, 148th Support Battalion Company C, 148th Support Battalion

Ft.GIiiem

Headquarters, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion Company A, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion Company B, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion Company H, 121st Infantry 248th Military Intelligence Company

Ft.Stewart

National Guard Training Center 3rd Infantry Detachment 75th Engineer Detachment Youth Challenge Academy Regional Training Site - Maintenance Combined Support Maintenance Facility

Gainesville

Company C, l/12lst Infan!!): Battalion

Glennville

Company A, 648th Engineer Battalion

Griffin

Troop E, 108th Cavalry

---------------------- Hartwell Hin es ville

Battery A, l/214th Field Artillery Battalion Company B, 148th SupPQrt Battalion

Jackson

166th Maintenance Company

Jesup

Battery C, 118th Field Artillery Battalion

Kennesaw

1st Battalion, 78th Troop Command

190th Military Police Company

277th Maintenance Company

________________ __ _______ ____________ ----------------------- Detachment I, Headquarters Battery, I18th Field Artillery Battalion

Lagrange

1177th Trans ortation Com any

Lavonia

Detachment _1.;,.,.Batter.y.:.,_A__,;_l/2 l 4th Field Artille.r,y.::_

Lawrenceville

Company A, l/12lst Infanm, Battalion

_ L_o_u_is_v_il_le_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _D_et_a_ch_ment I Battery C, l/214th Field Artillery

L1.ons

Com any C - , 878th Engineer Battalion

Macon Marietta

Headquarters, 48th Infantry Bde (M) 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron
----------------------- Regional Training Institute
Company B, 161" Medical Second Brigade, Georgia State Defense Force

202nd Ordnance Detachment. OD)

Metter Milled eville

- --=- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Company C, Detachment I, 878th Engineer Battalion
Detachment 1 Headguarters Com any l/12lst Infan!!): Battalion

----------------- Monroe Montezuma

178th Military Police Company Company B, 648th Engineer Battalion

Moultrie

Detachment 1, 1148th Transportation Company

Newnan

201" Supply and Service Battalion

Robins Air Force Base

116 Air Control Wing

Rome

Com any A, 108th Armor Battalion

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sandersville Savannah

Detachment I ,Company A, 878th Engineer Battalion 165 Airlift Wing

Combat Readiness Training Center

117th Air Control Squadron

122nd Rear Operations Center

HHB, 118th Field Artillery Battalion

Battery B, 118th Field Artillery Battalion

Detachment l, Company F, 131st Aviation

Army Aviation Support Facility #3

_______________T....h..,i_rd___B..r..i.gade Geor a State Defense Force

Battery A, 118th Field Artillery Battalion

Head uarters, 648th En ineer Battalion

Swainsboro

Company A, 878th Engineer Battalion

LT-._ho_m_a.;.s..t;o._n_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _c_o_m_p,_a_ny,,_B..,,_l./_1_2_1st Infantry,...B...a.,t.t.a...l.i_o_n_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~_.

Thomasville

1148th Transportation Company

Thompson

Battery B, 11214th Field Artillery Battalion

Tifton
----------- Toccoa -----------~----- Townsend
- - - - - - - - - - - - - Valdosta

Detachment 1, HHC, 2/12lst Infantry Battalion Service Battery 11214th Field Artillery Battalion Townsend Bombing Range Company A, 21121st Infantr~y B_ a_t_tali_on_ _ _ _ __

_ w_a_s_h_in--'g"'"t_o_n_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _D_ e_ta_c_hm_ en_t_ l, Battery B, l/214th Field Artillery Battalion

Waycross

Detachment l, Company C, 648th Engineer Battalion Fourth Brigade, Georgia State Defense...F:..o:::.r:..c::.e=--- - - - - - - - - - - - _ , . j

..------'"-------------------- Waynesboro Winder

Battery C, l/214th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters, l/12lst Infantry Battalion

148th Medial Company (Air Ambulance)

Army Aviation Support Facility #1

Georgia's Historic

to quell domestic disturbances - often sparked by labor

National Guard

strikes - and to assist in carrying out court mandated death sentences and to aid in recovery from natural

Georgia's long and rich military history began in England in the early 1730s. Under the direction of English aristocrat, James Edward

disaster. In 1916, Georgia National Guardsmen deployed to
the Mexican border to help General John J. Pershing

Oglethorpe, the future colonists were trained by hunt down the Mexican bandit Pancho Villa who had

Sergeants of the Guard to serve as colonial militia. been raiding U. S. settlements.

Settling in Georgia in 1733, Oglethorpe and his militia,

A year later in 1917, Georgia boys were "over there"

along with his British regulars defended the colony fighting for victory in the Great War in Europe. The

against hostile Native Americans and in July 1742 drove 151st Machine Gun Battalion of the Georgia National

Spanish invaders from its shores at the Battle of Bloody Guard became part of the 42nd Rainbow Division and

Marsh.

experienced 167 days in combat with the enemy.

Georgia's Militia forces joined with General George Some 23 years later (1940) the Georgia National

Washington to secure American

Guard, along with the National Guard

independence. At Fort Morris near

of every state, was mobilized for one

Sunbury, General John McIntosh

year, ostensibly for training. "Goodbye

responded to a British demand for

dear, I'll be back in a year" was a

surrender with the spirit which

popular tune of the day as Guardsmen

exemplified Georgia's military forces

left their homes throughout Georgia.

throughout the decades: "We would

But before they could return Pearl

rather perish in a vigorous defense

Harbor was bombed and the United

than accept your proposal sir," wrote

States entered the war.

McIntosh. "We sir, are fighting the

During World War II, Georgia

battle of America and therefore

Army National Guardsmen landed in

disdain to remain neutral til its fate is

France just after D-Day and served

determined. As to surrendering the

with distinction as part of the 30th and

Fort receive this reply, Come and

8th Infantry Divisions. In Italy, Georgia

take it!"

Air Guardsmen flew bombing runs;

Patriotic volunteer militia

and in the Pacific Georgia Guardsmen

highlighted the frontier period of the new state. Men of the "Georgia

James Edward Oglethorpe

fought on Guadalcannal, New Guinea and other engagements.

Battalion" aided Texas in its fight for independence from

Following the war, the Georgia Army and Air

Mexico in 1836. That same year, the Macon Volunteers, National Guard was reorganized. In the 1950s Georgia

among other militia companies, volunteered to help Air National Guardsmen were activated for the Korean

remove the Seminole Indians from Florida and engaged Conflict. And in the 1960s and 1970s, Air National

Osceola at the Withlacoochee swamp during the second Guardsmen were called upon to fly airlift missions into

Seminole War.

South Vietnam.

In the War Between the States, Georgia responded In 1990 and 1991 , more than 5,000 Georgia Army

by filling volunteer regiments, battalions, and batteries, and Air National Guardsmen were mobilized to serve

numbering 130, second in number only to Virginia. during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. More

Georgia troops fought in both the Eastern and Western than 700 of the Georgia men and women called to active

theaters, and state defense militia tried desperately to duty saw service in Saudi Arabia while others served

stem Sherman's 'March to the Sea' after the burning in the United States in a variety of missions.

of Atlanta.

The federal mobilizations continued as the millennium

Following Reconstruction and the reestablishment drew to a close when Geoprgia Guardsmen were called

of a state military force in the late 19th century, Georgia to serve in Bosnia. The 3rd Infantry Detachment and

Guardsmen trained and prepared for service both 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment both served

domestically and abroad. In 1898, Georgia raised 3,000 in the late 1990 's, and the 48th Infantry Brigade

troops for the Spanish-American War effort, the last deployed some 1,200 Sodiers to the Balkans in 2001.

major conflict prior to the dawning of the Georgia Today 's Georgia National Guard is part of the "U.S .

Guard 's modem era.

total force." Guardsmen train to fight and win on today's

This modem era began in 1903 with the designation battlefields with the technology and weaponry of

of the militia as the "National Guard" and the end of tomorrow; they continue the historic tradition of

the separate Black Militia. As Georgia National yesterday 's Georgia militia.

Guardsmen, the state's military forces were often called

Pilots from Savannah 's 165th Airlift Wing run through pre-flight checklists in preparation for take-off from Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan during a mission in support of the Global War on Terror.