Media

48th IBCT Soldiers named Georgia Army National Guard 2026 State Best Warrior Winners
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. ... MORE

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)

First Airman competes in Georgia State Best Warrior Competition
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. ... MORE

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)

Georgia Army National Guard Kicks Off Annual Best Warrior Competiton
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. ... MORE

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 Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Wing Executes Swift Mutual Aid Fire Response at Savannah/Hilton Head Int’l Airport
February 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. ... MORE

Four Soldiers crowned Best Warriors in Multi-MSC Level Competition
February 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... MORE

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)

Georgia National Guard Soldiers Reunite Lost Puppy with Owner During D.C. Patrol
February 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. ... MORE

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)

National Guard’s First 4-Star Vice Chief Credits Georgia’s ‘Leadership Factory’
February 12, 2026 — WASHINGTON – General Thomas Carden has been appointed as the first four-star Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, bringing nearly four decades of experience to the organization that oversees more than 435,000 Soldiers and Airmen. ... MORE

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, the 30th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, left, welcomes Army Gen. Thomas Carden to the Pentagon as he assumes the role of the 13th Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia, Feb. 3, 2026. Carden, a Georgia Guardsman, most recently served as the deputy commander for U.S. Northern Command and vice commander for U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Zach Sheely)

Following a Paper Trail
February 7, 2026 — MARIETTA, Ga. – A Georgia National Guard unit is heading off to provide financial support to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)... MORE

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kimberly Gilleran and Maj. Nicholas Long, senior enlisted leader and commander of the Marietta-based 93rd Financial Management Support Detachment, 781st Troop Command Detachment, 78th Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard, case the battalion's colors during the unit's departure ceremony at Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Georgia, Feb. 7, 2026. The ceremony was held in honor of the unit's upcoming mobilization to the U.S. Army Central Command's area of responsibility. The mission of the unit is to provide financial support to units from brigade to theater level. The casing of the colors symbolizes the unit's readiness and preparation to operate away from their home station. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ayanna Tillman)

Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center hosts exercise Sentry South 26.1, formally exercise Sentry Savannah
January 28, 2026 — SAVANNAH AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ga. - The Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center, known commonly as the Air Dominance Center, is hosting exercise Sentry South 26.1 (Savannah) here January 15-31, 2026. As one of four Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Centers in the United States, it is a premier location for warfighters from across the country to train... MORE

A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II pilot assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, taxis on the flight line of the Georgia Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) during exercise Sentry South 26.1 at the Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, Jan. 23, 2026. Sentry South 26.1 in Savannah is an Air National Guard-led counterair exercise held at the Georgia CRTC, also known as the Air Dominance Center, that trains hundreds of participants annually in offensive and defensive counterair missions with 4th- and 5th-generation aircraft to enhance combat readiness and joint integration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Coursey)

Georgia DoD Demonstrates Operational Readiness During Winter Storm Fern
January 27, 2026 — State and military officials mobilized emergency resources across North Georgia in late January as Winter Storm Fern blanketed the region with ice. In anticipation of this winter storm, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Jan. 22, 2026, activating the Georgia National Guard and Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) the following day. ... MORE

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 natural and manmade disasters across the United States. The Georgia Department of Defense is trained and equipped to ensure rapid, coordinated and effective support is available to civil authorities on short notice. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeron Walker)

Following a Paper Trail
February 7, 2026 — MARIETTA, Ga. – A Georgia National Guard unit is heading off to provide financial support to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)... MORE