By Maj. William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard.
Soldiers of the 348th Brigade Support Battalion at Fort Stewart in 2011. Right: Unit insignia of the 348th BSB. Georgia National Guard Archives. |
On February
4, 2011, the US Army Institute of Heraldry approved the distinctive unit
insignia of the 348th Brigade Support Battalion.
Symbolism
The colors
and images depicted in the 348th BSB unit insignia have distinct
symbolism. Blue is the color of loyalty and trust. Black represents consistency
and confidence. Scarlet represents service and sacrifice and is one of the
colors traditionally used by Support. Gold symbolizes high ideals and
excellence. The griffin embodies diligence and courage. The sword it holds
signifies justice and military readiness. The gauntlet highlights the qualities
of leadership and strength while the lightning bolts in its grasp represent
swiftness and power. The unit motto translates to “Deliver the Strike.”
Background
The 348th
BSB was organized Sept. 1, 2009 with Headquarters and Company A based in
Forsyth County and Company B in Hinesville.[1]
Federal recognition was granted to Headquarters and Company A June 3, 2010
while Company B carried on the lineage and honors of Detachment 1, Company B,
148th BSB.[2]
Headquarters and Company A relocated to Ellenwood, Ga in September 2013.[3]
Company A served as the distribution company providing transportation and supply support. Water treatment specialists of Company A successfully fielded a Tactical Water Purification System capable of purifying 1,500 gallons of fresh water per hour.[4]
Pfc. Michael Murphy, an allied trades specialist with Company B, 348th Brigade Support Battalion operates a plasma cutter during a metal fabrication project. at Fort Stewart in April 2016. |
The 348th
held its first annual training at Fort Stewart in 2010[6]
and provided support to the Georgia and Florida National Guard XCTC rotation the
following year.[7] In
2013, Soldiers of the 348th supported the 648th Maneuver Enhancement
Brigade and 2nd Infantry Division during the largest exercise
conducted on the Korean Peninsula since the Korean War.[8]
Mobilizing to Camp Dodge Iowa in 2014, personnel of the 348th
trained alongside the 148th BSB during a Warfighter exercise. Soldiers
of the 348th again supported the 648th MEB overseas
during Operation Saber Guardian 2017 in Mihaesti, Romania.[9]
In 218, the 348th provided logistical support to the 48th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team during its rotation at the Joint Readiness Center
at Fort Polk, La.[10]
As the
organic support battalion to the 648th MEB, the 348th was
in high demand for overseas training missions and provided personnel and
equipment to multiple emergency responses at home. Vehicles and personnel of
the 348th assisted in the response to two winter storms in January and February
2014.The 348th also supported the citizens of Georgia following Hurricane’s
Matthew, Irma and Dorian. During Vigilant Guard 2017, a hurricane response
exercise, the 348th demonstrated its water filtration capability to
first responders by providing clean water to the Augusta Fire Department as
part of simulated response scenario.
The Ellenwood, Ga. headquarters of the 348th Brigade Support Battalion in June 2018. Photo by Maj. William Carraway |
The 348th
BSB was inactivated during a ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center August
22, 2020. The lineage and honors of Headquarters and Company A passed on to
Headquarters Company, 648th MEB while the lineage and honors of
Company B were carried on by the Hinesville-based 1788th
Quartermaster Company.[11]
[1] OA
250-09 May 3, 2010.
[2] OA
217-10 July 15, 2010.
[3] OA
191-13 Sept. 13, 2013.
[4]
William Carraway. Something Cool to Drink.” The Georgia Guardsman. May
2016, 3-4.
[5]
William Carraway. “348th BSB Conducts Annual Training.” The
Georgia Guardsman. Summer 2015, 17.
[6] Georgia
Department of Defense 2010 Annual Report, 15.
[7] Georgia
Department of Defense 2011 Annual Report 15.
[8] Georgia
Department of Defense 2013 Annual Report, 15.
[9] Georgia
Department of Defense 2017 Annual Report, 18.
[10]
Charles Emmons. “Georgia Guard Trains at JRTC. The Georgia Guardsman. Q2
2018, 12-14.
[11]
OA 215-20 Nov 13, 2020.
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