Georgia National Guard

• Origins in 1751: The Georgia National Guard traces its roots back to 1751, when colonial militias were first organized to defend the colony of Georgia from threats such as pirates, hostile Native American tribes, and Spanish forces. • Service in Every Major Conflict: Units from the Georgia National Guard have served in every major American conflict, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and the Global War on Terror. • Famed "Savannah Volunteer Guards": The Savannah Volunteer Guards, part of the Georgia Guard, is one of the oldest continuously serving military units in the United States, having been founded in 1802. • Civil War Dual Allegiances: During the Civil War, Georgia National Guard units fought for the Confederacy, playing crucial roles in key battles such as Chickamauga and Atlanta. • Peach State Responders: The Guard is frequently activated for natural disasters in Georgia, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, providing critical relief and rescue operations. • Desegregation Pioneers: In the late 1940s and 1950s, the Georgia National Guard began the process of integrating its units, ahead of much of the rest of the Deep South. • 1996 Atlanta Olympics: The Georgia National Guard played a key security and support role during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, ensuring the safety of athletes and visitors from around the world. • Global Deployments: Since 9/11, Georgia National Guard units have frequently deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations, supporting both combat and peacekeeping missions. • State Partnership Program: The Georgia National Guard partners with the country of Georgia (in Eastern Europe) as part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, conducting joint training and exchanges. • Modern Force Structure: Today, the Georgia National Guard consists of both Army and Air Guard units, with major installations including Clay National Guard Center and Dobbins Air Reserve Base, supporting both domestic and overseas missions.