Georgia National Guard & The Georgia Department of Defense

The Georgia National Guard is comprised of nearly 14,000 personnel supporting overseas and domestic missions from nearly 70 readiness centers based in nearly 50 Georgia counties. Headquartered at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, the Georgia National Guard is the sixth largest of the 54 National Guard states and territories and consists of the Georgia Army National Guard and Georgia Air National Guard. The capabilities of the Georgia National Guard combined with an all-volunteer State Defense Force and supported by state civilian employees forms the Georgia Department of Defense.

Engineers

A bulldozer assigned to the 877th Engineer Company, 878th Engineering Battalion, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia National Guard, clears burnt brush during wildland fire suppression efforts in Fruitland, Ga., April 29, 2026. The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in...

165th Airlift Wing

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, MARIETTA, Ga.-Air National Guard 165th Airlift Wing, C-130H3 Hercules, sits on the flight line during sunset. The C-130 is a four turboprop engine aircraft that is capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, making it the ideal tactical airlift...

Winter Storm Route Clearance

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) personnel remove debris from a residential area during Winter Storm Fern in White County, Georgia Jan. 26, 2026. The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile and ready force capable of responding to...

Up and Away

A Georgia Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk from the Marietta based, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, lifts off rapidly after inserting Georgian special forces during an urban operations exercise at the Vaziani Training Area on Aug 5, 2018 during Noble Partner 18. The exercise highlights...

Hoist Training

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga. October 24, 2014 - Soldiers of the Georgia Guard's 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion conduct joint hoist operations with Airmen from the Dobbins fire department.

Agile Spirit 21

A U.S. Army M109A6 Paladin howitzer with the Ellenwood-based Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, observes fired artillery observation rounds during African Lion 2021, at the Tan Tan Training Area, Morocco, June 13,...

Georgia Guard 1-169th GSAB train for deployment to Afghanistan

Georgia Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 1-169th General Support Aviation Battalion conducts multi ship flight training near Savannah Ga. These crewmembers are preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan in the spring of 2014.

C Battery Thunder

FORT STEWART, Ga. March 16, 2016 – This image from Fort Stewart shows the moment a shell emerges from a Georgia Army National Guard howitzer of Battery C, 1-214th Field Artillery.

Rounds Down Range

Georgia Army National Guard Spc. Tyler Hawkins of the Augusta-based 1148th Transportation Company engages targets during individual weapons qualification at Fort Stewart.

Team Lift

The 878th Engineer Battalion, 648th Movement Enhancement Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard conducts annual training at Fort Benning, Georgia, from June 2–6, in partnership with Argentinian counterparts through the Georgia State Partnership Program. This joint exercise enhances Soldier readiness...

Frag Out!

Brigadier General Joe Jarrard, Georgia’s Adjutant General, fires an M320 grenade launcher with members of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 221st Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Benning, Ga

Black Hawk Formation

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., March 31, 2017 –A flight of UH-60 Black Hawks departs the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta on the way to Winder, Ga. after the final mission of Vigilant Guard 17 Georgia Army National Guard photo by Spc. Isaiah Matthews

Georgia Air National Guard and Army National Guard members during the Homeland Response Force External Evaluation

Service members from the Georgia National Guard participate in the Homeland Response Force External Evaluation at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Feb. 6, 2024. Guardsmen from multiple units along with civilians from across the state participated in the multi-day evaluation that tests their efficiency and...

Route Clearance

U.S. Army Pfc. Ayinlola Sanyaolu, a unit supply specialist, with the Cumming-based Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, performs chainsaw duties during a route clearance mission in Cobbtown, Georgia, Oct. 2, 2024. The...

Interagency Coordination

Major General Dwayne Wilson, Adjutant General of Georgia, discusses Georgia National Guard preparations for Winter Storm Fern during a press conference at the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency in Atlanta, January 24, 2026. With GEMA as the lead agency, Georgia National Guard...

Points of Distribution

Georgia State Defense Force personnel and U.S. Army Soldiers with the Augusta-based 878th Engineer Battalion, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, unload cases of water during a point of distribution (POD) mission in Augusta, Georgia, Sept. 30, 2024. The Georgia National...

Georgia Department of Defense, Marietta: News Photos Videos

Components:

Georgia Army National Guard, Marietta: News Photos WebpageGeorgia Air National Guard, Marietta: News Photos WebpageGeorgia State Defense Force, Marietta: News Photos WebpageGeorgia DoD State Operations, Marietta: News Photos Webpage

Command Team

Adjutant General of Georgia

Deputy Adjutant General

Senior Enlisted Leader, Georgia National Guard

MG Richard Wilson: Biography News Photos Facebook
Mr. Joe Ferrero: Biography
CSM Matthew Marks: Biography

Mission

The Georgia Department of Defense provides ready military forces to Combatant Commanders and the Governor.

Vision

A strong, agile, and resilient organization capable of providing ready and relevant formations for the Joint Force globally and the Governor here at home. Postured to effectively respond today while continuing to modernize and transform for the future. Chosen for new missions and force structure while enabling our people to achieve their full potential through service to the State and Nation.

Core Values

AIR FORCE: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do
ARMY: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage
GA SDF: Professional Volunteers, Duty, Honor