The Georgia Army National Guard has taken a significant step in enhancing its operational capabilities with the establishment of a groundbreaking unit dedicated to electromagnetic warfare (EW) in Forest Park. The newly activated 111th EW Company joins the ranks of the 221st Intelligence and Electronic Warfare (IEW) Battalion, a unit known for its data-driven tasks that support warfighters on the battlefield.
This historic formation is the first of its kind within the U.S. Army, tasked with critical responsibilities including the tracking, recognition, and positioning of signals of interest. The work conducted by the 111th will be essential for coordinating with combatant commanders, ensuring that the military’s communication and operational strategies remain effective in modern warfare.
The unit is strategically structured with division commanders and consists of four platoons of EW teams, totaling around 80 troops. It is set to conduct its inaugural field exercise in August at the Chattahoochee National Forest. During this exercise, the focus will be on electromagnetic support as well as training involving both static and moving signals, alongside helicopter operations in collaboration with the Georgia Guard’s 78th Aviation Troop Command.
The 111th EW Company has a rich lineage, tracing its roots back to the 1st Battalion, 111th Signal Battalion. This historical unit is noted for being the only Georgia Army National Guard unit mobilized during the Berlin Crisis in the 1960s and the first since the Korean War. The parent command, the 221st IEW Battalion, has actively participated in missions across various regions, including the Middle East, Kosovo, and Cuba, and has supported significant assignments under the US Central Command and US Indo-Pacific Command.
Brig. Gen. Theodore Scott III of the Georgia National Guard emphasizes the legacy of the 221st IEW Battalion, highlighting its long-standing commitment to leading from the front and delivering critical capabilities that support warfighters both locally and globally. He stated, “As the battlefield continues to evolve, the 221st IEW is ready. It’s one of the most deployed units in the state and has been for a number of decades.”
The formation of the 111th EW Company not only modernizes the Georgia Army National Guard’s capabilities but also underscores the importance of integrating new technologies and strategies in response to the evolving nature of warfare.
