1. 48th Infantry More than 4,500 members of the
Brigade Combat 48th mobilized in 1990 to participate
in Desert Storm, and it was the first
Team and only National Guard combat
brigade validated as combat-ready
Macon’s 48th Infantry for the Gulf War – though the conflict
Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) is ended before the 48th was deployed.
headquartered at facilities once used During this last deployment,
by the 122nd Regional Training the 48th suffered an estimated 49
Institute on South Shurling Drive. wounded in action and eight combat-
The 48th, which moved from related deaths, significantly less than
Macon Russell Armory after returning the 26 Soldiers it lost to enemy action
from its 2009-2010 deployment during its deployment as part of
to Afghanistan, will remain in the Operation Iraqi Freedom III in 2005-
old RTI site until the new regional 2006, but still an enormous loss to the
readiness complex is completed. families, friends and fellow service
Colonel John F. King took over members of those fallen heroes.
as the 48th Brigade Commander No exact number of those
from Col. Lee Durham on Oct. 3, wounded during Operation Iraqi
2010. King’s senior enlisted leader Freedom is available.
is Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph E. In 2010, elements of the brigade
Recker. received the Meritorious Unit
As a combat brigade team, the Citation for their accomplishments
48th is authorized an estimated 3,425 during the 48th’s deployment to Col. John King
Soldiers to carry out its mission Afghanistan. Several awards for Commander
statement of mobilizing, conducting valor have also been presented 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
post-mobilization training, and then to 48th Brigade Soldiers for their Ga. Army National Guard
deploying rapidly to any contingency individual contributions during that
area – at home or abroad – by air, sea yearlong mission.
or land, whether in support of the
governor during state emergencies
or in conjunction with combined
offensive and defensive operations
worldwide.
The 48th’s most recent
deployment – the second since 9/11
– was to Afghanistan in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom from
June 2009 to May 2010.
The 48th also mobilized in 2004
for combat operations in support
of the War on Terror, and then the
Brigade deployed to Iraq in 2005,
48th IBCT Units
where it experienced some of
• 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry, of Calhoun
the fiercest combat action of the
• 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, of Winder
campaign.
• 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, of Griffin
Elements of the 48th also deployed
• 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, of Savannah
to Bosnia in 2001 to provide support
• 148th Brigade Support Battalion, of Forsyth
for Task Force Eagle.
• 48th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, of Statesboro
13 | Georgia Department of Defense