The United States Army
04/30/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2026 16:49
Georgia National Guard engineers support wildfire response
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - A bulldozer crew with 877th Engineer Company, 878th Engineering Battalion, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia National Guard, helps clear burnt brush in support of wildland fire suppression efforts in Pineland, Georgia, April 29, 2026. The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile, ready force capable of responding to natural and man-made disasters across the United States. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jordan McNeal) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Engineer crews with the 877th Engineer Company, 878th Engineering Battalion, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia National Guard, delivered additional equipment to provide ground support for wildfire suppression efforts with partner agencies in Pineland, Georgia, April 29, 2026. The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile, ready force capable of responding to natural and man-made disasters across the United States. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jordan McNeal) VIEW ORIGINAL 3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - A CH-47 Chinook helicopter crew with the 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, 78th Aviation Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard, fills a 2,000-gallon water bucket at a refill site in support of wildfire suppression efforts in Pineland, Georgia, April 29, 2026. The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile, ready force capable of responding to natural and man-made disasters across the United States. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jordan McNeal) VIEW ORIGINAL 4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with the 1st General Support Aviation Battalion 106th Aviation Regiment, 78th Aviation Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard hovers above a refill site in support of wildfire suppression efforts in Pineland, Georgia, April 29, 2026. The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile, ready force capable of responding to natural and man-made disasters across the United States. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jordan McNeal) VIEW ORIGINAL
FRUITLAND, Ga. - U.S. Army Soldiers with the Augusta-based 877th Engineer Company, 878th Engineer Battalion, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, joined the multiagency wildfire response in South Georgia.
The team arrived in Echols County on April 28 with two D6 dozers to help stop the fire's spread by clearing firebreaks.
"What they're currently doing is widening the fire breaks out so that the fire tankers and the water engines can get back there [in the woods]," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Williams, a platoon sergeant with the 877th Engineer Company. Williams said the work gives partner agencies greater access to wooded areas to help prevent flare-ups.
The Georgia National Guard was initially called to provide aerial support April 22 after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency and authorized up to 150 Georgia National Guardsmen to state active duty. The additional ground support continues the Georgia Department of Defense's support to Georgians as part of a whole-of-government response, with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency serving as the lead agency.
U.S. Army Capt. Bryton Wenzel, commander of the 877th Engineer Company, said local agencies and partners have been instrumental in providing logistical and operational support for the unit.
After returning in December from a one-year deployment as part of U.S. Northern Command and Joint Task Force North in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Soldiers with the 877th Engineer Company were excited for the opportunity to conduct a mission closer to home.
"It feels amazing…it feels great to do something to serve the community and your country," said U.S. Army Spc. LaQuinten Brown, a horizontal construction engineer with the 877th Engineer Company.
"The Soldiers are stoked to get the experience on the equipment," said Wenzel. "Soldiers are really motivated to get behind the wheel to make a difference."
The 877th Engineer Company has supported Defense Support of Civil Authorities operations in the past, most recently providing route clearance during the Hurricane Helene response in 2024. Williams said the mission continues the unit's historical support for the state of Georgia.
"This mission is another operation that we normally get called up for and provide heavy engineer equipment support," said Williams.
Related Links
The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil
State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil
The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard
The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard
The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard
The United States Army published this content on April 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 30, 2026 at 22:49 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]