U.S. Army Soldiers with the 78th Aviation Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard, conduct wildfire suppression operations April 2026 in South Georgia. The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile and ready force capable of responding to natural and manmade disasters across the United States. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Sgt. 1st Class James Braswell)
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The Georgia Department of Defense (DoD) is preparing to assist the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and other state and local authorities with wildfire suppression in South Georgia.
Today, following Gov. Brian Kemp's declaration of a state of emergency, up to 150 Georgia National Guardsmen were authorized for state active duty. The Georgia DoD has begun preparations to support Georgians as part of a whole-of-government response, with GEMA/HS serving as the lead agency. We anticipate helicopter water bucket wildfire suppression capability requests to augment the ongoing effort.
The Ga. DoD has a long history of partnering with federal, state and local agencies, both here in Georgia and in other states,...
04.22.2026 | MARIETTA, GEORGIA, US |
Story by Col. Will Cox
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter takes off with a water bucket from Waycross-Ware County Airport in Waycross, Georgia, to fight wildfires Friday, April 24, 2026.
