Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Brigadier General Jason Fryman, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard; Soldiers of the 1177th Transportation Company; and citizens of LaGrange, Georgia, rededicate the LaGrange armory during a ceremony April 2, 2026. see less
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Historic Georgia National Guard armory rededicated during ceremony in LaGrange, Ga.
Soldiers of the Georgia National Guard’s 1177th Transportation Company celebrated the rededication of their armory in LaGrange, Ga. during a ribbon cutting ceremony April 2, 2026. The ceremony was attended by senior leaders of the Georgia National Guard and citizens of LaGrange and Troup County. Brigadier General Jason Fryman, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, was the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
“The ability for (the Georgia National Guard) to accomplish our mission throughout history has been determined by three things:” said Fryman, “funding, facilities, and a sustainable recruiting population in our local communities, like what we have here in LaGrange.”
The LaGrange armory has been home to units of the Georgia National Guard since the end of World War II. The armory is currently home to the 1177th Transportation Company, part of the 265th Chemical Battalion, 201st Regional Support Group - Homeland Response Force.
The renovation of the 13,495 square foot facility increases the capacity of the unit to execute its federal mission supporting operations overseas while preparing to respond to domestic emergencies at home such as Hurricane Helene. In addition to upgraded training and supply rooms and improved lighting, electrical, and air conditioning, the $4 million renovation increased the capacity of the motor pool, a critical design enhancement for the unit’s transportation mission.
The renovations were made possible by funding through the State Operational Asset Readiness Program, which is a state and federally funded effort to remodel, sustain and maintain Georgia National Guard facilities.
The LaGrange armory is named for Sergeant 1st Class Julian T. Pool, a Veteran of World War I service with the Georgia National Guard’s 151st Machine Gun Battalion. Pool was a driving force behind the construction of the LaGrange armory helping to raise funds and community support for the project. He reenlisted in the LaGrange unit in 1950 at age 52 and served as the unit’s mess sergeant until his death in 1956. In 1953, Pool was presented with the Georgia Distinctive Service Medal, the highest award presented by the Georgia National Guard at the time.
The 1177th Transportation Company was organized and federally recognized in LaGrange as the 48th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop April 27, 1948. Ninety percent of the unit’s original personnel were veterans of World War II. On April 1, 1996, the unit was converted and received its current designation as the 1177th Transportation Company. Over the years, the 1177th has deployed overseas in support of Operation New Dawn and mobilized for emergency operations at home, from Operation Noble Eagle in 2003 through its response role following the impact of Hurricane Helene.
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