The 420th Signal Company

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

 

Georgia National Guard Soldiers of the 420th Network Signal Company on their final day of assignment to the 560th Battlefield Surveillance
Brigade Sept. 13, 2015 at the 560th BFSB headquarters in Cumming, Ga. The 420th NSC transferred to the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
Photo by Capt. William Carraway.

Upon its organization June 3, 2010, the 420th Network Signal Company was assigned to the Cumming, Ga.-based 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.[1] The 420^th supported the 560^th BFSB during exercise Medical Ultimatum in July 2014.[2] With the inactivation of the 560th BFSB, the 420th NSC was assigned to the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade effective September 13, 2015.[3]

Soldiers of the 420th Network Signal Company handle communications requirements for the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
during annual training at Fort Stewart, Ga. July 20, 2015. Photo by Capt. William Carraway.

The 420^th NSC provides 24-hour communications capability to 648^th MEB and is capable of installing, operating and maintaining a variety of computer and communications systems. The 420^th is staffed with signal support system specialists, transmission systems operator-maintainers, nodal network systems operator-maintainers and information technology specialists. These technical career fields require up to six months of training.

Major General Joe Jarrard, adjutant general of the Georgia Department of Defense presents a coin to
 Cpl. Sheena Bryant of the 420th Network Signal Company, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
in recognition for her efforts during Exercise Saber Guardian in Valcea, Romania 
July 15, 2017. Photo by Capt. William Carraway.

The capabilities of the 420th NSC have been in high demand at home and overseas. Personnel of the 420th NSC mobilized with the 648th MEB to Valcea Romania for Exercise Saber Guardian in July 2017.[4] During Saber Guardian, the 648th MEB provided command and control for a wet gap crossing exercise. During the exercise, personnel of the 420th were singled out for recognition by senior Army leaders for their contribution to the 648^th MEB’s success.

Georgia Army National Guard Sgt. Bridgett Hyatt of the 420th Network Signal Company briefs Brig. Gen. Randall Simmons, commander
of the Ga. ARNG on her unit’s actions in Seminole County Oct. 18, 2018. Photo by Maj. William Carraway.

In October 2018, the 420th was activated following Hurricane Michael. The 420th NSC was mobilized to Seminole County where their capabilities directly assisted hurricane recovery operations.[5]

The 420^th again mobilized overseas with the 648^th MEB in 2021 as part of African Lion 2021. The exercise was conducted June 7-18 in Morocco and involved more than 7,000 participants from nine nations.[6]

 

Georgia National Guard Soldiers of the 420th Network Support Company and Headquarters Company, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade,
conduct a road march during African Lion 2021 in Tan-Tan, Morocco, June 15, 2021. Photo by Spc. Nathan Smith.

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[1] OA 217-10 July 15, 2010.

 

[2] Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report, 2014, 18.

 

[3] Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report, 2015, 16.

 

[4] William Carraway. “Georgia National Guard Soldiers Participate in Saber Guardian 2017.” US Department of Defense. July 2, 2017. https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1245961/georgia-national-guard-soldiers-participate-in-saber-guardian-2017/

[5] William Carraway. “Georgia Guard continues to support Hurricane Michael operations.” Nationalguard.mil. October 22, 2018. https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/1667831/ga-guard-continues-to-support-hurricane-michael-operations/

 

[6] Bryant Wine. “Georgia Army National Guard arrives for African Lion 21.” Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. June 9, 2021. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/398483/georgia-army-national-guard-arrives-african-lion-21