SR701: SR701 National Guard Day; recognize February 11, 2026

26 LC 129 0883 Senate Resolution 701 By: Senators Payne of the 54th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Cowsert of the 46th, Watson of the 1st, Anderson of the 24th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing February 11, 2026, as National Guard Day at the sta te capitol; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Defense provides ready and relevant military forces3 to combatant commanders and provides emergency response capabil ities to support4 Homeland Defense and Defense Support to Civil Authorities; and5 WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Defense is headquartered at the Clay National Guard6 Center in Marietta, Georgia, and includes the Georgia Army National Guard, the Georgia Air7 National Guard, and the Georgia State Defense Force; and8 WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Defense consists of more tha n 11,600 Army9 National Guard Soldiers, 2,900 Air National Guard Airmen, 500 S tate Defense Force10 volunteers, and nearly 500 state employees; and11 WHEREAS, The Georgia's Army National Guard is the sixth largest in the nation, training12 in nearly 67 hometown armories and regional facilities in nearly 60 counties across the state,13 and includes combat, combat support, and combat service support units; and14 S. R. 701 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0883 WHEREAS, Georgia's Army National Guard was recognized as the be st National Guard15 Command by the Association of the United States Army in 2025, and is organized into five16 major subordinate commands, the Macon-based 48th Infantry Briga de Combat Team; the17 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Fort Benning; and the 78th Troop Command, 78th18 Aviation Troop Command, and 201st Regional Support Group at the Clay National Guard19 Center in Marietta; and20 WHEREAS, the Georgia Air National Guard is the air power compon ent of the State of21 Georgia with airmen and officers assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing in Warner Robins,22 the 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah, and units throughout Georgia, playing an active role in23 supporting combatant commanders and Georgia's homeland defense posture, with 116th and24 165th conversions to Remotely Pilo ted Aircraft - Integration an d the new C-130J,25 respectively; and26 WHEREAS, the Georgia State Defense Force is a volunteer unit of the Georgia Department27 of Defense, serving in support of the National Guard under dire ction of the Governor and28 Adjutant General, notably during Exercise Patriot South, Vigila nt Guard, and memorial29 services for President Carter; and30 WHEREAS, the Georgia National Guard has deployed more than 35,0 00 Soldiers and31 Airmen throughout all geographic combatant commands since Septe mber 11, 2001;32 maintained a steady overseas presence in support of contingency operations, and maintained33 state partnerships with the Country of Georgia and Republic of Argentina while training and34 preparing to support homeland response missions in the State of Georgia and southeast35 United States; and36 S. R. 701 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0883 WHEREAS, in 2025, the Georgia National Guard successfully supported missions in support37 of the Department of Homeland Security on the southern border, and in the nation's capital38 as part of Joint Task Force-DC; and39 WHEREAS, the selfless actions of the men and women of the Georg ia Department of40 Defense and its components at home and abroad in 2025 stands as an example of putting41 service before self, and it is abundantly fitting and proper th at the outstanding42 accomplishments of these remarkable and distinguished Georgians be appropriately43 recognized.44 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body45 recognize February 11, 2026, as National Guard Day at the state capitol and commend the46 men and women of the Georgia National Guard for their strength, leadership, courage and47 selfless service.48 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed49 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the50 press.51 S. R. 701 - 3 -