Georgia Guard takes over NAS Atlanta, plans headquarters

By Air Force Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski
Georgia National Guard

Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, the adjutant general of Georgia, poses with the family of Chuck Clay, whose grandfather, Gen. Lucius D. Clay, was the architect of the Berlin Airlift and whose name now adorns the new 100-acre Georgia National Guard headquarters in Marietta, Ga. The group stands before a 30-foot drawing of the new $29 Million Joint Forces Headquarters scheduled to be completed in 2012. From left to right is the Clay family, Sara, John Henry, Chuck Clay, Alex, Jessie and Charlie. (Photo courtesy of the Georgia National Guard)
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MARIETTA, Ga., (9/28/09) – After the official transfer of Naval Air Station Atlanta to the Georgia National Guard on Sept. 26, a ground breaking ceremony was held for the new Gen. Lucius D. Clay National Guard Center.

“This is an exciting moment for the Georgia National Guard, as we take the first steps in the realization of a dream,” said Army Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, the adjutant general of Georgia. “Our new headquarters will be a one-of-a-kind military headquarters showcasing state-of-the-art construction techniques and high tech features.” 

Nesbitt, Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens and State Senator Jack Hill joined other distinguished community visitors and military guests to witness the official groundbreaking for the new 220,519 square foot, three-story headquarters building, which was named in recognition of a Cobb County native, who was the architect of the historic Berlin Airlift.

Construction on the $29 million building is scheduled to begin in 45 days and is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Nesbitt said the construction will incorporate a 7,228-foot assembly area, and more than 9.5 square feet of information technology support function and will eventually be the home of over 750 Georgia Department of Defense employees.

“We are looking forward to again having the National Guard as a integral part of our community,” said Olens, who was instrumental in consolidating the community’s support and encouragement for the transfer of property to the National Guard.

Hill, a former Georgia Air Guardsman, recalled the unfortunate effect of an earlier BRAC decision which led to the Georgia Air Guard’s 116th left Dobbins leaving Dobbins to relocate to Robins AFB in 1995.

“This is a great day for the Georgia DoD to again re-establish a wonderful relationship between Cobb County and the Georgia National Guard,” said Hill.

All properties that were once part of Naval Air Station Atlanta were formally transferred to the Georgia National Guard bringing to a close the venerable history of Marietta Navy aviation squadron and beginning an exciting new chapter for the Georgia National Guard.

More than 100 acres of property and an equal number of buildings, hangars and facilities were transferred to the Georgia National Guard.

The transfer of facilities is part of a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision, disestablishing Naval Air Station Atlanta. In contrast to many BRAC decisions around the country, which closed and moved units and disturbed local communities, the closing of NAS Atlanta and its takeover by the Georgia Guard was well received and encouraged by the local community.

“In an ending, there’s also a beginning,” said Nesbitt. “The end of one voyage can mean a new expedition to undertake. We’re truly fortunate to take this facility with us as we  navigate the future.”

Since 1943, NAS Atlanta has been the home of Naval and Marine aviation in Cobb County.

“Today marks a bittersweet moment,” said Navy Capt. Charles L. Mingonet. “It’s sweet because we stand at the end of more than six decades of proud professional service to this community, this state and to the nation by Sailors, Marines and civilian personnel stationed here.

“The bitterness comes in the fact that we now must end that service here, leave behind the friends we’ve made here during that time and continue our service elsewhere,” he said.

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