Georgia’s 48th IBCT Embarks on 4th Combat Deployment Since Sept. 11, 2001

Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Georgia Governor Nathan Deal presents a Georgia state flag to Col. Matt Smith, commander of the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during a departure ceremony at Fort Stewart, Ga. Dec. 21, 2018. This is the fourth combat deployment of the 48th IBCT since Sept. 11, 2001.  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

12.21.2018

Story by Maj. William Carraway 

Georgia National Guard

Soldiers, family members and honored guests of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team gathered at Fort Stewart, Ga. Dec. 21, 2018 for a color casing ceremony commemorating the Macon-based brigade’s fourth combat deployment since Sept. 11, 2001. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal was among the dignitaries that addressed the departing Soldiers.

“You are about to embark on an undertaking that will add further distinction to your unit,” said Governor Deal. “You bring pride to our state. You give all of us a sense that we are indeed in good hands.”

Also addressing the Soldiers and family members were Lt. Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Adjutant General of Georgia and Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Quintas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.

“Today represents the highest point in the partnership between the Georgia Army National Guard, the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 3rd Infantry Division and several others all oriented on the Army’s number one priority: war fighting readiness,” said Quintas. “This effort started in March 2016 when the Secretary of the Army established the Associated Unit Pilot.”

at the adjutant general's direction, Col. Matthew Smith, commander of the 48th IBCT and the brigade’s senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Major Matthew Marks, cased the brigade colors in anticipation of their pending mobilization to Afghanistan. The battalion commanders and command sergeants major of the 48th IBCT’s subordinate units similarly cased their colors.

As the ceremony neared conclusion Governor Nathan Deal made a special presentation to the 48th IBCT.

“I have the honor to present to Col. Smith, a flag of the state of Georgia which will signify our continuing presence as you deploy to Afghanistan,” said Deal. “May God bless all of you and keep you safe. We look forward to your successful tour and to your triumphant return to the state of Georgia. God bless you all.”

Colonel Smith thanked Governor Deal for the presentation and referenced current events, suggesting that the unit would be flexible as the mission proceeded. Smith also had a message for the Soldiers and family members in attendance.

“As you spend time together over the next few days set some goals for the next nine months, said Smith. “Deployments are hard, but they are not unproductive if properly planned for. We will be back in no time.”

The command team of the 48th IBCT has steered the brigade through a rigorous training regimen that has included an eXportable Combat Training Capability rotation at Fort Stewart, Ga. in 2017 and a four-week rotation at the Combined Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. Over the past four weeks, the 48th has trained alongside counterparts from the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart. Training has consisted of reflex fire marksmanship training, live-fire lanes and sling load operations in which helicopters of the 3rd ID Combat Aviation Battalion transported field howitzers of the Savannah-based 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment to firing points for live-fire missions.

The units that comprise the 48th IBCT have histories that predate the United States of America. Its units have served in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Seminole Indian War, the Mexican War and the Civil War. Units of the 48th IBCT mustered for the Spanish American War and served in the 42nd Division in World War I. The 121st Infantry Regiment served in the European Theater during World War II, while the predecessors of 177th Brigade Engineer Battalion and 108th Cavalry served in the Pacific. The 1-118th FA and the 148th Brigade Support Battalion had units that served in Europe and the Pacific during World War II.

The 48th Infantry Brigade was activated in 1990 for Desert Storm. The brigade was the only National Guard combat brigade validated as combat ready; however hostilities ended before the brigade could be mobilized overseas.

Elements of the 48th Brigade deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2001 for Stabilization Force Rotation 9. The 48th was among the first National Guard combat units of this size and capability to take over an SFOR mission of this scope.

In May 2005, the 48th Brigade deployed to Iraq and was assigned to Multi-National Division – Baghdad under the 3rd Infantry Division. During the deployment, units of the 48th Brigade served from Kuwait to Mosul and west to the border with Syria. Upon returning from service in Iraq, the 48th Brigade was redesignated the 48th IBCT.

In 2009, more than 3,000 Soldiers of the 48th IBCT deployed to Afghanistan. During their yearlong deployment, the brigade conducted combat operations with members of the Afghan National Police and Army.

In 2013, units of the 48th IBCT returned to Afghanistan. In the course of the nine-month deployment, 48th IBCT Soldiers in which soldiers conducted base operations and support including vital missions such as security and force protection.

The 48th IBCT was selected to participate in Associated Units Pilot program in March, 2016. The program established a formal relationship between reserve and active duty components. The 48th IBCT associated with the active Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart. The Soldiers of the 48th IBCT wear the 3rd Infantry Division patch, but retain the historic designation as the Macon Volunteers.

• Date Taken: 12.21.2018
• Date Posted: 12.21.2018 18:07
• Story ID: 304952
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US
• Hometown: MACON, GA, US
• Hometown: SAVANNAH, GA, US