Smith named Georgia Air National Guard historian

ATLANTA - Clint Smith of Gainesville has been named Historian for Headquarters, Georgia Air National Guard.

Smith has been in the air guard 19 years and holds the rank of Master Sergeant.

The Georgia Air National Guard has begun a focused effort to gather and document its 63-year history. The organization has nine units throughout the state with 3,300 personnel assigned.

The historic preservation effort is being organized and managed by Smith.

"The importance of collecting and documenting the history of the Georgia National Guard has taken on additional significance since September 11," Smith said. "More than half the units of the Air Guard in Georgia have mobilized for America's war on terrorism. The range of missions performed is broad and very important."

Smith is a former state representative. He served Hall County for eight years in the General Assembly. He served on the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee.

The Georgia Air National Guard's origins trace back to February 14, 1941 when the 128th Observation Squadron was organized at Candler Field Municipal Airport in Atlanta.

General George G. Finch, a prominent Atlanta attorney and former Air Corps aviator was asked by Georgia Governor Ed Rivers to organize the first flying unit of the Georgia National Guard.

"Each of the nine Georgia Air National Guard units has its own unique historical lineage," Clint Smith said. "Some of the units have histories that can be traced back to the legendary Army Air Corps units in World War II."

The 116th Air Control Squadron, which today flies the sophisticated Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, is a descendant of the famed 54th Fighter Wing that flew missions throughout Europe.

The historical effort also involves the capturing of recorded interviews with retired Guardsmen living in Georgia.

"The history of the Air Guard continues to unfold as we become more involved with the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a very important priority to document our support of these engagements as well as the other responsibilities of the Georgia Air National Guard," Smith said.

The historians at Georgia's two flying wings will support Clint Smith's statewide efforts.