648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

The 648th Maneuever Enhancement Brigade is a major command of the Georgia Army National Guard.

History
The 648th MEB is one of the two newest brigades placed in Georgia in 2007; the other being the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade at Cumming, GA, the Army National Guard's first battlefield surveillance brigade, which was stood up in October of 2007 then officially activated January 2009.

The 648th MEB started with an initial staffing of just 12 personnel, a headquarters company, and the 348th Support Battalion, home-stationed in Ellenwood. The brigade now touts approximately 3,000 personnel. There are just 21 MEBs in the nation – two of which are active duty Army, three are Army Reserve and 16 belong to the Army Guard. Since the 648th MEB came on line, it has added Augusta's 878th Engineer Battalion; and Elberton's 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery. The brigade has deployed Marietta's 248th Medical Company and elements of the police and engineer battalions in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

On August 8, 2010, the unit changed command for the first time. Colonel Keith Knowlton, the 648th's first commander, turned over the unit reigns to his successor, Colonel Andy Hall.

Mission
The 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB)'s mission is to provide manned, ready, and fully equipped mission-capable units to combatant and joint task force commanders, with the capabilities of full-spectrum operations and consequence management to support the war-fight and homeland defense, as well as to provide defense support to civilian authorities in times of crisis. The MEB's command and control capacity exceeds that of any other brigade headquarters. MEBs, in general, are uniquely designed for both the warfighting and operational support roles. Their capabilities are a sized-down parallel of the National Guard's dual roles to serve in the operational environment and to serve in a local role in support of state missions, mostly in disaster and humanitarian relief operations. There are just 22 MEBs in the nation – three of which are active duty Army, three are Army Reserve and 16 belong to the Army Guard.

Deployments
In 2009, the 810th Engineer Company deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, clearing routes so coalition units could complete their missions unharmed and on time.

In 2010, 190th Military Police Company deployed to Bagram Air Base near Kabul, Afghanistan. The company's primary job was to provide security for the base detention center along its guard towers and various entry control points. The unit later picked up the additional task of escorting detainees to and from the center; and the 190th served as part of the base's immediate response force, protecting the area in which it resided in the event of an attack.

In 2012, the 648th HHC deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan as Task Force Hydra. Task Force Hydra is responsible for the Kabul Base Cluster, providing command and control, security and support operations for the nearly 9,000 U.S. and coalition forces operating in the capital region. They provide Garrison Command, CERP missions, Police Assistance Teams and construction management for the Kabul region.

In 2013, 1st Battalion 214th Field Artillery Regiment deployed to Shindand, Afghanistan as Task Force Granite. Task Force Granite is responsible for base security for Shindand Air Base, providing Command and Control, security and patrol operations for the U.S. and coalition forces operating in and around Shindand Air Base. They provide Base Security Battalion Command, patrol and assessment missions, checkpoint control and flightline security for the base. 1-214 FA BN moved from the 78th HRF to the 648th MEB in June 2013, while deployed.

Units

 * 878th Engineer Battalion, Augusta, Georgia.
 * 348th Brigade Support Battalion, Cumming, Georgia.
 * 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery Regiment, Elberton, Georgia.
 * Joint Task Force 781st CERFP, Kennesaw, Georgia.