In a historic move marking a significant evolution in modern military operations, the Georgia Army National Guard has officially activated the 111th Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Company — the first unit of its kind in the U.S. Army.

The activation ceremony, held Saturday at the Fort Gillem Enclave, was led by Lt. Col. Luke Gurley, commander of the 221st Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion (IEW), under which the new company falls.

“[This] unit ... will be at the forefront of our capabilities in the electromagnetic spectrum,” Gurley stated during the event.

His words underscored the pivotal role the 111th EW Company is set to play in adapting the Army’s intelligence and warfare strategies to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital and electronic battlefield.

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The company’s activation represents more than just the creation of a new military formation — it signals a broader strategic shift toward enhanced capabilities in electronic warfare.

According to a release by the National Guard, the 111th EW Company will be tasked with detecting, recognizing, locating, and identifying signals of interest to support combatant commanders across a variety of operational environments.

Brig. Gen. Theodore Scott III, commander of the 78th Troop Command and a former leader of the 221st IEW Battalion, emphasized the significance of this development both locally and globally.

“The legacy of the 221st Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion and the Georgia Guard to lead from the front and provide those critical capabilities ... both locally and abroad is going to be driven by Georgia soldiers,” Scott said. “And that means the world to me.”

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Scott highlighted the 221st IEW’s consistent relevance and operational tempo over the years. “As the battlefield continues to evolve, the 221st IEW is ready,” he said.

“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 221st and now the 111th.”

The 221st IEW has an extensive operational resume, having deployed personnel to conflict zones and strategic locations including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Cuba, and even along the southern U.S. border.

The battalion has played an instrumental role in supporting U.S. Central Command and Indo-Pacific Command missions.

Capt. Caleb Rogers formally assumed command of the new unit during the ceremony. Reflecting on the moment, Rogers expressed pride in the unit’s legacy and its forward-leaning posture.

“Today is not simply about activating a new unit. It’s about recognizing and honoring a proud legacy,” Gurley noted, acknowledging the 111th EW Company’s roots in the 1st Battalion, 111th Signal Battalion — notably the only Georgia Army National Guard unit mobilized during the 1961 Berlin Crisis.

Rogers, aware of the weight his position carries, spoke to Task & Purpose about the distinctive nature of the unit’s mission.

The 111th will focus on three core functions — “support, attack and protect” — which, according to Rogers, set it apart from traditional intelligence units.

These pillars encapsulate the broad utility of electromagnetic warfare, ranging from jamming enemy communications to defending friendly signals against interference.

“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,” Rogers said, highlighting the technical demands and adaptability required of EW personnel.

The 111th EW Company will conduct its inaugural field exercise this August at the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The training will focus on electromagnetic support operations, including identifying and locating both static and mobile targets.

Notably, the exercise will incorporate helicopter support from the Georgia Guard’s 78th Aviation Troop Command, providing realistic, integrated training.

Brig. Gen. Scott, speaking with enthusiasm about the company’s future, said, “It’s a great time to be in military intelligence and electromagnetic warfare. I am excited for the future.”

With the activation of the 111th EW Company, the Georgia National Guard positions itself at the cutting edge of Army modernization — preparing soldiers not only for today’s challenges but also for the unseen threats of tomorrow’s digitally driven battlefield.

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