Naval Air Station Atlanta changed hands on Saturday and became the Gen. Lucius D. Clay National Guard Center, during a ceremony transferring ownership from the Navy to the Georgia National Guard.
The ceremony, which was conducted in a hangar at the base, featured the retiring of the Navy’s flag and the induction of the state’s National Guard flag by a joint service color guard.
The Georgia National Guard will neighbor Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, making it one of the most unique military installations in the nation and making Cobb County the best place to recruit in the State.
The changeover is no surprise, having been announced back in 2005 by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission.
The commerce and taxes that NAS members have contributed had a huge economic impact to Cobb. However, the Guard will do more than make up for the loss, as 800 fulltime Guard soldiers and airmen and 1,400 traditional Guardsmen and Guardswomen will be working on the base by 2014, contributing to the county’s economy while addressing the needs of our state and nation.
Cobb County and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce are proud to have the Georgia National Guard call Cobb home.
