U.S. Army Col. Nathaniel Stone, commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, explains the importance of annual training Fort Stewart, May 27, 2026. This training period reinforces the brigade’s commitment to developing capable leaders, building cohesive teams, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Rydell Tomas Jr.)
MARIETTA, Ga. –Soldiers from the Georgia Army National Guard departed today for a deployment
to Djibouti, where they will provide critical fixed-wing aviation support across the Horn of Africa.
The departing element, Bravo Company of the 245th Aviation Regiment, operates the C-26 aircraft.
They will serve primarily under U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), handling VIP transport, cargo
logistics, and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) missions.
"If somebody needs to get to a higher level of care down in Nairobi, which is obviously a little bit of
a further helicopter ride, we would load them on the airplane and take them down there," said Maj.
Charlie Snyder, the unit commander and a pilot.
Before heading overseas, the unit will spend a brief...
A C-26 Metroliner aircraft carrying deploying members of the 245th Aviation Regiment, Georgia National Guard, taxis down the flightline for a deployment, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, May 13, 2026. Soldiers from the Georgia Army National Guard departed today for a deployment to Djibouti, where they will provide critical fixed-wing aviation support across the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Meece).
