Courtesy Photo | Major Kenneth Jones, incoming commander of the Augusta-based 878th Engineer Battalion...... read more read more
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The Georgia Army National Guard’s 878th Engineer Battalion held a change of command and change of responsibility ceremony at its Augusta Armory Saturday, October 5, 2019. Lieutenant Colonel John Church and Command Sergeant Major Karon Hubbard relinquished command and responsibility of Augusta’s engineer battalion to Maj. Kenneth Jones and Command Sergeant Major Timothy Baker. The presiding officer for the combined ceremony was Col. Kevin Hamm, commander of the Columbus-based 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
Following the traditional passing of the colors, Brig. Gen. Randall Simmons, commander of the Ga. ARNG, and Col. Hamm presented the outgoing command team with Meritorious Service Medals in recognition for the achievements of the battalion during their command tenure. The ceremony concluded with remarks from the outgoing and incoming commanders.
Lieutenant Colonel John Church commanded the 878th since October 1, 2016. In his nearly 30-year career, Church deployed multiple times to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From 2012 to 2014 he commanded the Marietta-based 870th Engineer Detachment. Under his leadership, the 878th deployed in response to natural disasters, most recently Hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Michael.
Command Sergeant Major Karon Hubbard entered military service in 1981 and has served in the Georgia Army National Guard since 1994. He mobilized with the 122nd Rear Operations Center in November 2001 for Operation Noble Eagle and subsequently deployed to Afghanistan in 2003 and 2013 with the 878th Engineer Battalion. He previously served as first sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company and Company C of the 878th as well as the 876th Engineer Company in Toccoa, Ga. He has held the post as senior enlisted advisor for the 878th Engineer Battalion since February 2014.
Major Kenneth Jones received his commission as a second lieutenant in 2004 and deployed to Iraq as a platoon leader in the 878th the following year. In 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan as commander of the 810th Engineer Company. His most recent assignment was with the 648th MEB where he served as a liaison officer.
Timothy Baker, the incoming command sergeant major of the 878th brings a wealth of experience to his new position. In his thirty years of service, Baker has served in roles of increasing responsibility from teaching at the Marietta-based 122nd Regional Training Institute to serving as platoon sergeant and first sergeant of the Canton-based Troop B, 108th Cavalry with whom he mobilized to Afghanistan in 2009. Additionally, he served as the first sergeant for Headquarters Company, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Macon, Ga. and was most recently the chief operations sergeant for the Columbus-based 648th MEB. When not serving with the Georgia Guard, Baker is a teacher at Greater Atlanta Christian School, where he has taught for more than 20 years.
The 878th Engineer Battalion has provided engineering capability at home and abroad for over 50 years. But the history of the Georgia National Guard in Augusta goes back much further.
In 1786, the Richmond Hussars were formed in Augusta. This unit served in the Second Creek War in 1836 and participated in the American Civil War as part of Cobb’s Legion. The unit served on the Mexican border in 1916 and mobilized to France in 1918 for service during World War I. In 1941, the unit was activated and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II earning campaign streamers for Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Northern Solomons and the Ryukyus. The unit returned to the United States and was released from active service in 1945. The 878th deployed to Iraq in 2003 and to Afghanistan in 2013.
Besides deploying overseas to serve in our nation’s wars, the 878th has been very active serving the state of Georgia in times of emergency. In February 1973, more than 19 inches of snow fell over central Georgia and the 878th was called to state active duty to assist stranded motorists and clear roads.
In 1985, the 878th conducted annual training in Grenada where the engineers renovated and repaired schools and trained islanders in construction techniques.
Following the torrential rains of Tropical Storm Alberto that caused wide-spread flooding throughout South Georgia in 1994, the 878th was again called to serve Georgia. The engineers repaired washed out roads, cleared culverts, and removed debris.
More recently, the 878th lent its expertise to civil authorities following hurricanes from Katrina in 2005 to Michael in 2018.
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.07.2019 21:13 |
| Story ID: | 346232 |
| Location: | AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | MACON, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | MARIETTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 387 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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