Story by Pfc. Adam Dean
124th MPAD

Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. Don B. Beard, the 118th’s outgoing commander, passes the guidon to Col. Lawrence Dudney, deputy commander, 48th BCT. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Adam Dean)
The 118th’s new commander Lt. Col. Craig M. McGalliard addresses his new command. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Adam Dean)

SAVANNAH, Saturday, Sep. 9, 2006 – First Battalion,118th Field Artillery, 48th Brigade Combat Team celebrated the arrival of a new commander, and paid tribute to the service of its outgoing leader at a change-of-command ceremony held at the Seawright Armory on Eisenhower Road.

Lieutenant Col. Craig M. McGalliard, took command of the unit after having recently graduated from the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Before the War College, McGalliard was in Iraq with the 122nd Rear Operations Command during 2005.

“I am quite honored to be taking command of a unit of combat vets and Citizen-Soldiers,” said McGalliard, referring to the fact that the 118th returned from deployment in Iraq five months ago.

As a civilian, McGalliard is the coastal region engineering manager with Atlanta Gas Light Company. He lives in Savannah with his wife Lisa and their two children. McGalliard also serves his community as a member of the board of directors of the Savannah Chapter of the American Red Cross.

McGalliard, who has 29 years of service, began his career as an enlisted Soldier in the 118th FA. He was commissioned in 1982 while assigned to Elberton’s 2nd Battalion, 214th Field Artillery. When that unit was inactivated, he was assigned to the 265th Combat Engineer Group, eventually becoming its personnel officer.

In 1999 he was reunited with the 214th as executive officer of its 1st Battalion. McGalliard received his civilian education at Atlanta’s Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned his civil engineering degree.

Leaving the unit is Lt. Col. Don B. Beard who has headed the artillery unit since April 2002. Beard, a McDonough resident, continues working as plans, operations and training officer for Forces Command at Atlanta’s Fort McPherson. He moved into that position shortly after his return from Iraq.

During the ceremony, Beard accepted the Meritorious Service Medal, a plaque displaying the battalion colors, and several other gifts while also being praised for his service with the 118th.

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McGalliard Takes Command of the 118th FA