General Hammond discusses need for newer aircraft in the Air Guard;Change of Responsibility Ceremony;SGT Morales is laid to rest;YCA employees earn service awards

The First Friday Briefing Podcast for February 2009 - Strong Bonds focuses on single Soldiers - The Army Guard pins its first African-American general officer - The State Defense Force names its 2008 Solider of the Year

In this edition -- A 48th Brigade Soldier receives a well deserved Purple heart. The Georgia State Defense Force welcomes a new commander. The National Guard Training Center gets a new name. The 116th Air Control Wing's Chief of Staff retires.

In this edition -- The Georgia National Guard deactivates its last Huey Helicopter. The 48th Infantry Brigade trains in Scotland and Fort Benning for their up coming Afghanistan mission. Six prominent Georgian receive prestigious award from the National Guard Association of the United States.

News from the September 2008 First Friday Briefing.

In our January 2008 episode -- The new year is bringing some significant organizational changes for the Georgia Department of Defense and National Guard headquarters; the Georgia Army Guard’s 278th Military Polices Company departs for a year in Iraq; the State Defense Force helps in the search for a missing hiker in north Georgia mountains; and the Georgia Air Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing surpasses 33,000 hours of flying combat missions and more. Visit our home page at: http://www.dod.state.ga.us/ View the First Friday Briefing online at: http://www.dod.state.ga.us/firstfridayonline/jan08/index.html.

In our December episode the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat team is alerted for possible mobilization- the Georgia State Defense Force conducts Annual Training at Fort Stewart - the Georgia Guard pins its newest general and more. Visit our home page at: http://www.dod.state.ga.us/ View the First Friday Briefing online at: http://www.dod.state.ga.us/firstfridayonline/dec07/index.html.

In our November episode, the Georgia National Guard welcomes a new Adjutant General; the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team gets new commander; the CERFP unit validated and designated as combat ready; the Georgia Guard pins its newest general; and more. Visit our home page at: http://www.dod.state.ga.us/ View the First Friday Briefing online at: http://www.dod.state.ga.us/firstfridayonline/nov07/index.html.

In our September episode, the Georgia Department of Defense gets initial property from the Naval Air Station Atlanta, Detachment 9, 171st Aviation is mobilized for war, Georgia Guardsman are back from a recent border mission in New Mexico and much more. Visit our home page at: http://www.dod.state.ga.us/ View the First Friday Briefing online at: http://www.dod.state.ga.us/firstfridayonline/sep07/index.html.