By Maj.William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard
Left: Brigadier General Horace Cheek, first commander of the Troop Command. Right: Guidons of units assigned to the 78th Troop Command in 2017. Photo by Pfc. Isaiah Matthews. |
Early History
The Georgia Army National Guard’s 78th
Troop Command was organized and federally recognized as the Command-and-Control
Headquarters in Atlanta October 1, 1978 to provide command and control for
separate organizations within the state.[1] Prior
to the establishment of the CAC, these units were organized under the Emergency
Operations Center and later the 122nd Support Center. Upon
organization, the CAC adopted the Oglethorpe crest shoulder-sleeve insignia
which had been created for the State Headquarters Detachment in 1970.[2]
The CAC was initially composed of
Army aviation, signal, public affairs, maintenance, transportation, medical,
military police companies and the Army band. Commanded by Brig, Gen. Horace L.
Cheek Jr., the CAC supported active Army units at Fort Benning, Fort Campbell,
Anniston Army Depot, the US Military Academy and NATO forces in West Germany
during fiscal year 1979.[3]
A CH-54 of the 1160th Transportation Company (Heavy Helicopter) in flight circa 1980. Georgia Guard Archives. |
The 1980s
In 1980, with an authorized
strength of 2,854, CAC units participated in a command post exercise with the
167th Corps Support Command at Fort Anniston, Ala.[4]
In 1981, the 1st
Battalion, 122nd Infantry Tow Light Anti-Tank Battalion became
mission capable as part of the CAC. The 122nd was one of four TLAT
units in the nation.
In 1982, the CAC was
reorganized and redesignated as Troop Command in order to streamline its
mobilization capabilities.[5] The
170th Military Police Battalion participated in an overseas
deployment training exercise in Mannheim, West Germany and the 122nd
Support Center participated in Exercise Vulcan Knight at Camp Blanding, Fla.[6]
The aviation component of the Troop Command continued to grow with the 151st
Military Intelligence Battalion, comprised of the 158th and 159th MI
Companies flying the OV-1 Mohawk and the 1160th Transportation
Company which operated the CH-54 Skycrane.[7]
An OV-1 Mohawk of the 158th Military Intelligence Battalion in flight. Georgia National Guard Archives. |
In 1983, the 122nd TLAT was rated as combat ready and the 277th Maintenance Company supported active-duty units during annual training in West Germany.[8] The Troop Command, then composed of 24 units in 12 Georgia locations participated in extensive mobilization exercises designed to familiarize units with their war-time mission and area of operation.
Headquarters of Troop Command moved
from Atlanta to Decatur in 1984. That year, the 122nd TLAT won the
National Guard Bureau’s Milton A. Reckford Trophy with Company C receiving the
Eisenhower Trophy designating the most outstanding National Guard unit in
Georgia. Personnel from Troop Command again conducted overseas deployment
training in West Germany.[9]
In 1985, personnel from the 110th
Maintenance Battalion, 277th Maintenance Company and 122nd
Rear Area Operations Center mobilized to West Germany for ODT missions while
units of the 122nd TLAT participated in Exercise Cascade Peak in
Fort Lewis, Wa. The following year, Company A, 122nd TLAT mobilized
for Team Spirit Exercise in South Korea. Members of the 151st Military
Intelligence Battalion also mobilized in support of Team Spirit. Meanwhile, the
138th Medical Company and 122nd RAOC supported ODT
missions in Europe.[10]
By the end of 1986 the 122nd TLAT became the first unit in the Georgia Guard to field a new low-profile vehicle known as a HMMWV.[11] Company A, 122nd deployed to Korea for the Team Spirit Exercise while members of the 151st MI Battalion augmented maintenance operations of the 2nd Division in Korea. Soldiers of the 138th Medical Company and 122nd Rear Area Operations Center additionally mobilized to Europe for Battle Book and Crested Eagle exercises.
1987 found several Troop Command
units overseas for ODT missions. The 110th Maintenance Battalion and 138th Medical Company travelled to Ecuador for Blazing Trail
Exercise while the 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment travelled
to Panama. Troop Command welcomed new units in 1987 including Company H, 122nd
Infantry Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon and the 202nd Explosive
Ordnance Detachment. Troop Command also sent 300 Soldiers in support
of the Forsyth, Ga. “Brotherhood March.”[12]
Soldiers of the 166th Maintenance Company prepare for a training mission at Fort Stewart April 25, 1988. Photo by Elliott Minor. |
Troop Command Soldiers from the 170th MP Battalion participated in cold weather training In Minnesota in 1988. Later that year, the battalion sent MPs in support of the Democrat National Convention. The 82nd Maintenance Company conducted annual training in West Germany and the 122nd RAOC and 201st Maintenance Company supported missions in Germany for the Return of Forces to Europe exercise. 122nd TLAT personnel returned to Korea for Team Spirit and also supported Exercise Crested Eagle in California.[13]
By 1989, the year the Berlin Wall
fell, Troop Command was comprised of 35 units and was heavily involved in
exercises around the world. In addition to operations in Virginia, Florida and
Washington, Troop Command Soldiers participated in Operation Quetzal in Guatemala
and Yama Sakura in Japan.[14]
The 1990s
In August, 1990, the first units of
the Georgia Army National Guard were mobilized for Desert Storm service with
the 190th MP and 1148th Transportation Company arriving
first in Saudi Arabia with the 165th Supply Company soon to follow.
The 1148th TC would travel more than 520,000 miles and deliver
nearly 10 million gallons of fuel during Operation Desert Shield/Storm and the
190th MP Company would provide supply route and VIP security. The 166th
Maintenance Company was mobilized to Fort Stewart to assist the 48th
Brigade with its mobilization and the 124th MPAD would accompany the
48th to Fort Irwin, Calif. The 202nd Ordnance Detachment
mobilized to Fort Drum and conducted more than 70 missions in a four-state
area.[15]
The years following Operation
Desert Storm brought reorganization and reductions. The 122nd TLAT
was inactivated in September 1992. The same reorganization brought the 1st
Battalion 214th Field Artillery into the TC. The 1-214th
conducted training in Norway in September 1992 while the 277th
Maintenance Company conducted training in Germany. Further reorganizational
changes found the 151st converting to form a medical evacuation
battalion while the 110th Maintenance Battalion converted to form a corps
support battalion. The Troop Command also received the 117th Mobile
Army Surgical Hospital.[16]
The 117th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital at Fort Stewart. Georgia National Guard Archives. |
A major reorganization in 1994 caused Troop Command to be redesignated as the 78th Troop Command under command of Col. Robert Hughes. Under the consolidated structure, the 78th TC received the 265th Engineer Group, to include the 560th and 878th Engineer Battalions. For several years thereafter, the State Area Command was divided into two separate units: the 48th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) and the 78th Troop Command. In 1994, the 1-214th returned to Norway and conducted training with Norwegian and Canadian forces. Nearly 100 Soldiers of the 277th Maintenance Company deployed to Kuwait in June to participate in overseas deployment training. Company G, 244th Aviation Regiment supported the Florida National Guard ahead of their 1995 rotation at Fort Irwin while the 1177th Transportation Company participated in exercises in Mississippi and Texas. Company B, 244th Aviation prepared to become the first company in the Georgia National Guard to receive the UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter and the 117th MASH provided medical support to Winn Army Hospital at Fort Stewart as part of their annual training. The 151st EVAC received the U-21 aircraft in support of its new mission.[17]
Staff of Headquarters Detachment, 170th Military Police Battalion in 1991. Georgia National Guard Archives. |
In 1997, the 78th Troop Command was 3,600 strong. [18] The following year, the 1-214th became the first Georgia Guard unit to field the Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer. Headquarters hosted ten physicians from the country of Georgia to witness U.S. military and civilian medical practices. Following the outbreak of massive forest fires, the 1st Battalion, 171st Combat Support Aviation Battalion and Detachment 1, Company F, 131st Aviation were called to provide mission support to the state of Florida.[19]
By 1999, the 3,000 member 78th
TC was comprised of the 265th Engineer Group, the 878th
Engineer Battalion, 110th Corps Support Battalion, 151st
Medical Evacuation Battalion and the 122nd Rear Operations Center.
The aviation units that had formerly been part of the Troop Command were now
organized under the 1st Aviation Group, forerunner of today’s 78th
Aviation Troop Command. Command of the 78th transitioned from Brig.
Gen. Michael Seely to Col. Terrell T. Reddick. Seely advanced to command the
Georgia Army National Guard. Later that year, the 110th CSB
participated in Operation Golden Cargo 99, a massive transportation operation
reminiscent of Patriot Bandoleer in 2015. The 110th CSB transported
4,500 tons of MLRS pods from Northern Illinois to Eastern Texas. Engineers of
the 878th participated in Operation Caribbean Castle in the Dominican
Republic and the 277th Maintenance Company spent three weeks in
Germany. Travelling to Panama, the 202nd EOD cleared small arms and
artillery ranges of unexploded ordnance. Also deploying to Panama, the 178th
Military Police Company supported the closing of the Panama Canal Zone and was
the last US Reserve component unit to rotate through the country before the
transition. LRS Soldiers traveled to the country of Georgia and Tunisia in
support of operations. In June, the 221st MI Battalion made history when
Lt. Col. Maria Britt became the first female battalion commander in the history
of the Georgia National Guard.[20]
The Global War on Terror
In 2001, Brig. Gen. Reddick commanded 3,560 Troop Command Soldiers. By 2003,
3,000 Troop Command Soldiers were serving in the Middle East. Following the
attacks of September 11, 2001, Soldiers of the 78th Troop Command
were the first Georgia Guard Soldiers in Afghanistan. Beginning with the November
2001 mobilization of the 122nd ROC, the 78th TC began a
steady mobilization schedule in support of the Global War on Terror. The 139th
Chaplain Detachment was the last unit of the 78th deployed in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2010 while the 170th Cyber
Protection Team was the last Troop Command unit to support Operation Enduring
Freedom. Units of the 78th TC continue to support overseas
contingency operations, most recently with the deployment of personnel of the 165th Quartermaster Company in September 2023. From 2001-2023, units of the 78th Troop Command mobilized on
more than 40 separate deployments.
Homeland Response
While maintaining a steady overseas
deployment schedule, units of the 78th Troop Command participated in
missions at home ranging from the flood of 1994 and the herculean effort in
support of the 1996 Olympic Games to support for the G8 conference at Sea
Island in the summer of 2004.[21]
In 2006, the Kennesaw-based 781st Troop Command assumed the Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and Nuclear role in support of homeland response.[22]
In 2010, the 78th Troop
Command was selected as one of ten regional homeland response forces in the
nation.[23]
The headquarters of 78th TC moved from Decatur to the Clay National
Guard Center in July 2011.[24] The
78th maintained the HRF mission until the establishment of the 201st
Regional Support Group as a separate major command on October 1, 2013.[25]
Recent History
Over the past decade, Soldiers of
the 78th Troop Command have supported a wide array of missions at
home and abroad. The 265th Regional Support Group based in Metter
Georgia supplied an Agricultural Development Team which mobilized to
Afghanistan in 2013. That same year, the 110th Combat Service
Support Battalion supported logistics missions in Africa while the 124th
MPAD assisted the country of Georgia in development of its national disaster
response plan.[26]
In 2014, the 265 RSG participated in Operation Golden Coyote in South Dakota
and the Medical Detachment supported U.S. Army Health clinic operations in
Vincenza, Italy.[27]
In 2015, the 110th CSSB supported Operation Bandoleer transporting
more than 2,500 containers across the United States and later supported Ulchi
Freedom Guardian in Korea. That same year, the 78th received the 170th
Cyber Protection Team, one of the first ten CPTs established.[28]
The following year, the 78th TC lost the 265th RSG to
inactivation but gained the services of the 116th Aerial
Intelligence Brigade and the 560th Battlefield Coordination Detachment. Later
in 2016, units of the 78th were activated in support of Hurricane
Matthew Response Operations.[29]
Just one year after Hurricane
Matthew, the 78th TC responded to the impact of Hurricane Irma supplying emergency relief supplies to impacted coastal areas. Soldiers of the
124th MPAD and 221st EMIB deployed to Cuba in support of
Task Force Guantanamo Bay and the 170th mobilized to Fort Meade in
support of Cyber operations. The 122nd Tactical Support Detachment
assisted the 7th Infantry Division at the Yakima Training Center
during Exercise Bayonet Focus and the 110th CSSB supported a second
iteration of Patriot Bandoleer.[30]
In 2018, the 82nd
Maintenance Company, 406th Quartermaster Detachment and Company H,
121st Long Range Surveillance Unit inactivated. The devastation
wrought by Hurricane Michael again prompted activation of 78th TC
units in 2018. The 1148th Transportation Company provided critical
logistical support to the relief effort and were among the last Soldiers on duty in support of the response.[31]
In 2019, the 1148th was again called to active duty to support
hurricane relief efforts following Hurricane Dorian.[32]
At the time of writing, units of the 78th Troop Command were supporting missions overseas while providing personnel and capabilities in support of Hurricane Helene response operations.
[1] OA
144-82
[2] GA
NGR 670-5 May 28, 1970.
[3]
Robert Whistine. “What’s This CAC Thing?” The Georgia Guardsman. April
30, 1979, 13.
[4] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1980, 14.
[5] OA
144-82.
[6] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1982, 18.
[7] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1982, 21.
[8] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1983, 5.
[9] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1984, 5.
[10] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1985, 3.
[11] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1986. 4.
[12] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1987, 2-3.
[13] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1988, 3.
[14] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1989. 2.
[15]
Kenneth Davis. “After the Storm.” Georgia Guardsman Magazine Fall 1991, 1-6.
[16] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1993, 6.
[17] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1994, 7.
[18] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1997, 14.
[19] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1998, 7.
[20] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 1999, 9-10.
[21] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2004. 13.
[22] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2006, 6.
[23] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2010, 12.
[24]
OA 215-11
[25] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2013, 17.
[26] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2013, 17.
[27] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2014, 20.
[28] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2015, 20.
[29] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2016, 19.
[30] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2017, 19.
[31]Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2018, 19.
[32] Annual
Report of the Georgia Department of Defense 2019, 18.