[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5217-S5218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO GEORGIA'S 48TH BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, it is my honor and privilege today to 
pay tribute to the Georgia National Guard's 48th Brigade Combat Team. 
The 48th Brigade is an integral part of Georgia's widely respected 
National Guard and is comprised of more than 4,000 of Georgia's 9,000 
guardsmen. The Georgia National Guard is the thirteenth largest in the 
Nation, with nearly 60 percent of its forces classified as ``high 
priority units'' which would be among the first to deploy during a 
national crisis.
  The 48th Brigade has a long and proud history. The 48th was 
originally organized on April 23rd, 1825, in Macon, and served in some 
capacity during the Civil War, WWII, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War. 
The unit was mobilized into Federal service on November 30th, 1990 at 
Fort Stewart in order to participate in Desert storm.
  During Desert Storm, the 48th Brigade successfully completed intense 
combat training at the Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin, 
CA. Upon completion of this training, the 48th received the 
distinguished honor of being the first and only National Guard combat 
unit deemed combat-ready for the Gulf War. Later in 2001, the 48th was 
deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina for a period of 8 months. This 
deployment established Georgia's 48th as one of the first National 
Guard units of its size to assume such a large multinational 
peacekeeping mission.
  The 48th Brigade recently joined the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq, 
making it the first unit to utilize the Army's new concept of 
integrating reserve units with active units in order to form a highly 
effective and efficient active-reserve team. The 48th Brigade was 
mobilized under the Presidential Selective Reserve Call Up in October 
2004 and in January 2005, under the leadership of Brigadier General 
Stewart Rodeheaver, the 48th was ready to serve our country in Iraq. As 
a ``Combat Ready'' force, the 48th was deployed to Iraq on May 22nd, 
2005, after undergoing brief training in Kuwait. On June 14, 2005, the 
48th Brigade officially took over its assigned area of responsibility 
in southern Baghdad. They were responsible for conducting full-spectrum 
counter-insurgency operations in an attempt to defeat anti-Iraqi 
insurgents. The 48th also played in important role in developing the 
newly formed Iraqi Security Forces.
  During their deployment to Iraq, Georgia's 48th Brigade was known for 
its bravery, effectiveness, and commitment to getting the job done. 
During a 12 month deployment, the 48th Brigade completed numerous 
missions and was responsible for offensive and defensive victories 
throughout Iraq. The Brigade was involved in a multitude of operations 
conducted over nearly 1,900 square kilometers throughout southern 
Baghdad. These missions were in conjunction with 5 larger U.S. 
operations

[[Page S5218]]

including: Operation Safe Skies, Operation Warning Track, Operation 
Patriot's Call, Operation Dragon's Fire, and Operation Thunder. In 
total, the 48th Brigade conducted 12,647 combat patrols, 792 cordon and 
search missions, established 6,219 traffic control points, and 
conducted 3,782 convoy security missions.
  The soldiers of the 48th captured and detained over 500 Anti-Iraqi 
insurgents, trained over 2,460 Iraqi Soldiers, and established two 
Iraqi forward operating bases in Sunni-dominated areas of Iraq. The 
Brigade introduced more than 11 million dollars' worth of new and vital 
essential services as well as set the conditions to create over 621 new 
jobs in southern Baghdad. One of the most historical highlights was the 
Brigade's ability to work with the International Elections Commission 
of Iraq to establish 22 polling sites across Iraq. Due to the 48th's 
involvement, nearly 63,000 Iraqi citizens were able to vote on their 
new Constitution during the ``first ever'' Iraqi national elections.
  On October 2005, the 48th Brigade officially took over security 
operations for the Logistics Support Area, LSA, Anaconda base. LSA 
Anaconda is the largest operating base in Iraq and is located in the 
north-central Iraq province of Salah al Din. The 48th Brigade was 
simultaneously responsible for convoy security escort missions near 
Camp Adder, Iraq--located in the southern province of Nasiriyah. The 
48th's ability to successfully complete these two missions located in 
two different areas of the country was instrumental to the success of 
all Multi-National Forces operating in Iraq. The 48th Brigade Combat 
Team successfully conducted operations throughout an area of over 1,192 
miles while conducting 1,500 patrols and successfully securing the 
largest military operations base in Iraq.
  It is my great honor to commend the 48th Brigade and welcome them 
home as honorable Soldiers who served our country courageously. The 
last of the 4,200 members of the 48th Brigade arrived back in Georgia 
on May 11th, 2006. Following their return, they out-processed at Fort 
Stewart and were released from active duty to return to their hometowns 
throughout the State of Georgia. While we welcome the 48th Brigade back 
from their mission, we need to also honor the 26 soldiers who made the 
ultimate sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of these 
soldiers. They are true heroes and our Nation will be forever in debt 
to their sacrifice.
  I know I speak on behalf of our Nation, the State of Georgia, and the 
American people when I thank the 48th Brigade for living up to the 
calling of our National Guard ``Citizen Soldiers'' and making everyone 
in Georgia, and in America, extremely proud and grateful for their 
contribution.

                          ____________________