Frontline News

An Official Online Publication of the Georgia State Defense Force

Frontline News spotlights the Soldiers of the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) and their contributions to the state and its communities. The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.

Ready to Serve!

04 Jun 2023

Raise the Bar!

Command Sgt. Maj. Rod Akers, co-founder of the Georgia State Defense (GSDF) 1ST Engineer Battalion, retires.

16 Jan 2023

Maj. Clark Howard Retires After 21 Years of Service

Maj. Clark Howard retires after serving 21 years in the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) during a ceremony held at Georgia National Guard headquarters, Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Ga., Jan. 7, 2023. Maj. Howard, a well-known syndicated media personality, inspired one-third of the GSDF Force to join its ranks.

20 Mar 2016

Multi-Agency Search and Rescue Exercise

LAKE LANIER, Buford, Ga. March 19, 2016 – Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers debarking a boat at the scene of a mock airplane crash area during the Lake Lanier Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX). The GSDF, Civil Air Patrol, and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary participated in this Multi-Agency Search and Rescue Mission. Georgia State Defense Force photo by Sgt. Kennedy

28 Mar 2015

GSDF Supports National Guard Marathon

BLANKETS CREEK PARK, Canton, Georgia, March 28, 2015, By PV2 Michael Chapman – Members of the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) were recently called upon to support the 2nd Annual Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation Half Marathon and Ruck Run.

16 Mar 2015

GSDF Supports National Guard During Operation Vigilant Guard

FLORENCE REGIONAL AIRPORT, Florence, S.C., March 11, 2015, By 2LT Allan Hayes –Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) troops played key roles in training and assisting Georgia Army National Guard (GAANG) soldiers with transportation, communications, and maintenance operations during a simulated disaster drill March 6-11 in Georgetown, South Carolina.

13 Mar 2015

Pine Mountain SAR Training

PINE MOUNTAIN, Georgia, March 13, 2015 – On March 8, 2015, members of the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Headquarters, 4th Battalion, 5th Brigade conducted Search and Rescue Training in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

13 Mar 2015

Equipped With Knowledge

YELLOW RIVER PARK, Snellville, GA, March 8, 2015, By SGT Lisa Kennedy – Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is Power.” Soldiers of the Third Battalion / First Brigade trained day and night at their recent Field Training Exercise

03 Mar 2015

Marksmanship Competition: Mission Accomplished

GEORGIA GARRISON TRAINING CENTER, Fort Stewart, Georgia, February 25 – March 1, 2015, By 2LT Ted Burzynski – Soldiers from the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) provided support to the Georgia Army National Guard (GAARNG) Marksmanship Unit during the 2nd Annual Andrew Sullens Marksmanship Competition.

26 Jan 2015

National Guard Day at the Capitol

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Georgia, January 26, 2015, By PV2 Michael Chapman The Georgia General Assembly designated January 26, 2015 as National Guard Day at the State Capitol.

11 Jan 2015

Public Affairs Office Holds First Drill Of 2015

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Georgia, January 10, 2015, By PV2 Michael Chapman - The Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) held its first drill of 2015 on Saturday, January 10.

19 Mar 2013

Third Battalion Field Training Exercise

The warm temperatures and mountainous terrain did not slow down training for members of the Third Battalion when they held a weekend-long Field Training Exercise (FTX) along with the rest of the First Brigade during their March drill.

05 Nov 2012

2012 Battalion of the Year

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Georgia, November 5, 2012, By SGT Lisa Kennedy – Under the leadership and guidance of LTC Michael Hayden, the Third Battalion has been named “Battalion of the Year” for the First Brigade. This honor is based on a number of criteria including the unit's knowledge, skills, strengths, and contributions to the Georgia State Defense Force. Known as the “Thundering Third”, the battalion is based in Monroe, Georgia and operates in a 17 county area of northeast Georgia.

03 Nov 2012

2012 Anual Training Final Formation

GEORGIA GARRISON TRAINING CENTER, Hinesville, Georgia, November 4, 2012, By 2LT Allan Hayes – COL Lou Coroso, overall commander for Annual Training, addresses troops at the final formation of Annual Training. The exercises ran from 29 October to 04 November 2012.

03 Nov 2012

Pilot Recovery Mission

CPL Muth documents the vital statistic of the casualty prior to extraction. Also pictured MSG Sperin (76th SPT BDE) and CPT Waters (3BN 5BDE). Photo and Story by SGT Ted Burzynski

03 Nov 2012

2012 Annual Training, 3rd Battalion

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Georgia, November 3, 2012, By SGT Lisa Kennedy – Third Battalion soldiers SSG Jason Loefer and PVT Benjamin Ankrah search in heavy foliage for a missing airplane during a training exercise at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The search and rescue exercise was part of the 2012 Georgia State Defense Force Annual Training.

14 Jul 2012

MPAD Exercise

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Georgia, July 14, 2012, By WO1 Jim Zegers – Troops from the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Public Affairs Office assisted in a MOC (Media Operations Center) Training Exercise with the 124th MPAD (Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) from the Georgia National Guard.