48th Infantry Brigade

• Origins in World War I: The 48th Infantry Brigade traces its lineage to the 48th Infantry Division, which was first constituted in 1946, but many of its units have roots going back to World War I-era Georgia National Guard formations. • Georgia National Guard: The unit is a part of the Georgia Army National Guard and is headquartered in Macon, Georgia. • “Macon Volunteers” Heritage: The brigade includes units such as the Macon Volunteers, a militia company that dates back to 1825, making it one of the oldest military units in the U.S. • Nickname - "Macon Volunteers": The brigade is nicknamed the "Macon Volunteers" in honor of its historic ties to the city of Macon and its early militia companies. • Cold War Era: The 48th Infantry Brigade was originally part of the 48th Armored Division during the Cold War, before being reorganized into an infantry brigade in 1968. • Desert Storm Mobilization: The brigade was mobilized for Operation Desert Storm in 1990, but did not deploy to the Middle East as the war ended before their deployment. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed to Iraq in 2005-2006, conducting combat operations and earning respect for its performance in Baghdad and other regions. • Afghanistan Deployments: The brigade deployed multiple times to Afghanistan, most notably in 2009-2010 and 2019, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom's Sentinel. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The brigade’s insignia features a blue shield with a gold border and a gold "M," representing its Macon heritage and infantry designation. • Community Service: Beyond combat, the 48th Infantry Brigade has responded to state emergencies, including hurricane relief, flood control, and civil disturbances in Georgia.