New Army National Guard Electromagnetic Warfare Unit Activated in Georgia.

The Georgia Army National Guard has launched a new section focused on electromagnetic warfare (EW) in Forest Park. The 111th EW Company will operate under the 221st Intelligence and Electronic Warfare (IEW) Battalion, which oversees data-driven tasks in support of war fighters on the battlefield.

The newly formed unit will be responsible for the tracking, recognition, and positioning of signals of interest, with work to be coordinated with combatant commanders. It will have division commanders and four platoons of EW teams, with a total workforce of 80 troops.

In August, the unit will conduct its first field exercise in the Chattahoochee National Forest, with drills focused on electromagnetic support, static and moving signals, and helicopter training in partnership with the Georgia Guard’s 78th Aviation Troop Command.

From ‘Legacy’ Formation –

The 111th EW Company traces its lineage to the 1st Battalion, 111th Signal Battalion, which is the sole Georgia Army National Guard unit mobilized during the Berlin Crisis in the 1960s and the first mobilised since the Korean War. Its parent command, the 221st IEW Battalion, has seen action in the Middle East, Kosovo, and Cuba, and has supported larger missions involving the US Central Command and US Indo-Pacific Command.

“The legacy of the 221^st. Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion and the Georgia Guard to lead from the front and provide those critical capabilities to support the war fighter both locally and abroad is going to be driven by Georgia Soldiers. As the battlefield continues to evolve, the 221^st. IEW is ready,” Scott continued. “It’s one of the most deployed units in the state and has been for a number of decades. And so that continues to articulate the relevancy of 221^st. and now the 111^th.” Georgia Guard Brigadier General Theodore Scott III commented.

The ceremony, being held at the Fort Gillem Enclave, also included the assumption of command by Captain Caleb Rogers.

Lt. Colonnel Luke Gurley, commander of the 221st Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, the parent command of the 111th EW, presided over the ceremony. “Today we activate the 111^th. Electronic Warfare Company, a unit that will be at the forefront of our capabilities in the electromagnetic spectrum“, Gurley said.

The activation of the 111^th. EW Company marks a significant step in modernising the Army’s capabilities within a domain that is increasingly critical to national security. This new formation will provide capabilities to detect, recognise, locate and identify signals of interest, supporting combatant commanders.

During his remarks, Gurley said the activation aligns with the philosophy of U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, who advocates for rapidly modernising units and equipment based on emerging needs and technology. He also believes every unit will need to master the electronic warfare fight.

“The legacy of the 221^st. Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion and the Georgia Guard to lead from the front and provide those critical capabilities to support the war fight both locally and abroad is going to be driven by Georgia Soldiers“, said Brigadier General Theodore Scott III, commander of the 78th Troop Command. “And that means the world to me”. Scott, who was once the leader of the 221^st. IEW, has watched the formation grow over the years.

The 221^st. IEW has deployed Soldiers to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Cuba and the southern border, and has supported U.S. Central Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command activities.

The 111^th EW Company traces its lineage to the 1st Battalion, 111th Signal Battalion, the only Georgia Army National Guard unit mobilised during the Berlin Crisis in 1961 and the first unit mobilized since the Korean War. “Today is not simply about activating a new unit. It’s about recognizing and honouring a proud legacy“, Gurley said.

Rogers, the newly appointed commander, acknowledged the unique challenges and opportunities associated with leading this pioneering unit. He said he is charged with coordinating with relevant schools and units to train on developing systems as the Army continues to identify and finalise the necessary training for the unit’s capabilities. “No Soldier in the 111th ended up here through recruiting, they knew what they wanted when they came to the 111th. They knew that they wanted to rebuild Army EW”. 

Rogers said the company will provide division commanders with four platoons of electromagnetic warfare teams, with a total of more than 80 Soldiers. “All of our Soldiers are expected to keep up with evolving technology, and the unit as a whole is remaining flexible with the expectation of receiving a growing number of mission types”.

“It’s a great time to be in military intelligence and electromagnetic warfare”, Scott said. “I am excited for the future”.

Team Maverick