Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment conducted aerial firefighting training at Fort Stewart as part of annual training March 22, 2026. Photo courtesy of Company A, 1-171.
Georgia Department of Defense Begins Preparations for Wildfire Suppression Support as Gov. Kemp Declares State of Emergency
By COL Will Cox | April 22, 2026
The Georgia Department of Defense (DoD) is preparing to assist the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and other state and local authorities with wildfire suppression in South Georgia.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jason Fryman, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Ballenger, senior enlisted leader of the Georgia Army National Guard, stand with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hayes and U.S. Army Spc. Mitchell Oneal representing the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, after they received their awards during the awards ceremony for the 2026 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition at Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Georgia, March 13, 2026.The competition demonstrates the readiness and lethality of the Georgia DoD and country of Georgia Defence Force soldiers by testing the competitors with physical fitness assessments, written exams, and other warrior tasks and battle drills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jordan McNeal)
48th IBCT Soldiers named Georgia Army National Guard 2026 State Best Warrior Winners
By Staff Sgt. Alexander Norred | March 13, 2026
MARIETTA, Ga. – The Georgia Army National Guard has named its best warriors for State Best Warrior Competition on March 13, 2026. After a challenging week-long competition at the Cumming Readiness Center in Cumming, Georgia; Catoosa Volunteer Training Site in Ringgold, Georgia; and Clarke Range Complex, Anniston, Alabama, two soldiers rose above the others and emerged victorious.
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Chandler Durden, a security forces specialist, representing the Savannah-based 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, sprints forward on the testing lane during the Hand Grenade Course event of the 2026 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition, Mar. 11, 2026, at the Catoosa Volunteer Training Site, Ringgold, Georgia. The competition demonstrates the readiness and lethality of the Georgia DoD and country of Georgia Defence Force soldiers by testing the competitors with physical fitness assessments, written exams, and other warrior tasks and battle drills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Emerson Sneary)
First Airman competes in Georgia State Best Warrior Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Conley | March 12, 2026
Competitors in the Georgia National Guard State Best Warrior Competition began arriving at the Cumming Readiness Center in Cumming, Georgia on a cloudy Sunday morning, carrying heavy rucksacks into the building’s large auditorium as nervous energy filled the air, March 8, 2026. The annual five-day event tests service members’ tactical and physical skills across multiple training sites in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, highlighting the strength and partnership among organizations within the Georgia Department of Defense.
Competitors begin the two-mile run during the Army Fitness Test at the 2026 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition at Central Park in Cumming, Georgia, Mar. 8, 2026. The competition demonstrates the readiness and lethality of the Georgia DoD and country of Georgia Defence Force soldiers by testing the competitors with physical fitness assessments, written exams, and other warrior tasks and battle drills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Conley)
Georgia Army National Guard Kicks Off Annual Best Warrior Competiton
By Pfc. Emerson Sneary | March 9, 2026
CUMMING READINESS CENTER, Ga. — The 2026 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition kicked off March 8 at the Cumming Readiness Center in Cumming, Georgia.
Georgia Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Wing Executes Swift Mutual Aid Fire Response at Savannah/Hilton Head Int’l Airport
By Master Sgt. Caila Arahood | Feb. 25, 2026
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Airmen of the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, responded just before 7 p.m. Feb. 22, 2026, to contain a rapidly spreading brush fire located on the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport airfield. The fire, which burned nearly 10 acres of grass surrounding the airfield, ignited shortly after an engine issue on a departing commercial aircraft and expanded quickly due to wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph. Fire attack operations began at approximately 6:48 p.m., and the blaze was brought fully under control by 7:29 p.m.
U.S. Army Soldiers Sgt. Andrew Hartsfield, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter repairer representing the Marietta-based Headquarters, 78th Aviation Troop Command, Spc. David Stratton, a health care specialist representing the Marietta-based 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, 78th Aviation Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard, Sgt. Kevin Hernandez, a signals collection analyst representing the Forest Park-based 221st Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, 78th Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard, and Spc. Johannes Van Der, an airdrop specialist representing the Marietta-based 781st Troop Command Detachment, 78th Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard, pose for a photo during the awards ceremony of the 2026 78th Troop Command-78th Aviation Troop Command Joint Best Warrior Competition, Feb. 22, 2026, at the Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Georgia. The competition demonstrates the readiness and lethality of the 78th Troop Command and 78th Aviation Troop Command Soldiers by testing the competitors with physical fitness assessments, written exams, and other warrior tasks and battle drills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chasity Williams)
Four Soldiers crowned Best Warriors in Multi-MSC Level Competition
By Sgt. Chasity Williams | Feb. 22, 2026
After four demanding days of physically and mentally challenging events, four Georgia Army Guardsmen achieved the title of 'Best Warrior' at this year’s 78th Troop Command and 78th Aviation Troop Command Joint Best Warrior Competition hosted Feb. 19-22, 2026, in Marietta, Georgia.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cesar Serrano, Georgia National Guard, cares for a lost dog at the Anacostia Metro Station in Washington, D.C., Feb. 9, 2026, before it was safely returned to its owner. Approximately 2,700 National Guard members are supporting the mission, providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters and visitors throughout the District. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. David Okonofua)
Georgia National Guard Soldiers Reunite Lost Puppy with Owner During D.C. Patrol
By Spc. Sherald McAulay | Feb. 12, 2026
WASHINGTON — What began as a routine patrol at the Anacostia Metro Station quickly turned into a heartwarming reunion when U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 170th Military Police Battalion, Georgia Army National Guard, helped return a lost puppy to its grateful owner, Feb. 9, 2026.
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