Marietta,
Georgia-based
National
Guard Unit
Receives New
Commander
Lieutenant Colonel Jason Lewis relinquished command
of the Georgia National Guard’s 4th Weapons of Mass
Destruction-Civil Support Team (CST) to Lt. Col. Henry
Donaldson during a ceremony at the unit’s Marietta headquarters.
Colonel Alexander McLemore, commander of the 201st Regional
Support Group (RSG) praised the work of the 4th CST under
Lewis’ leadership.
“(The Ga. Department of Defense) realized very early on in
(Lewis’) career that he had a knack for working with people,
making them strive for success,” observed McLemore. “He was
chosen to command the CST for the same reason… Who better
2 | February 2020 | Real Hero Report
to lead a unit that has some of the highest trained professionals
in the entire Army? Who better to push a group of seasoned
professionals to new heights?”
Lewis, a graduate of North Georgia College and State
University, entered service in the Georgia National Guard as a
platoon leader in the Dalton-based Company C, 108th Armor.
Less than a year into his assignment, Lewis deployed to Iraq with
the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade. Lewis returned to combat
again as commander of the Dalton company during the 48th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s (48th IBCT) 2009 deployment
to Afghanistan. Key staff assignments followed with the 48th
IBCT and Joint Force Headquarters before Lewis assumed
command of the 4th CST April 3, 2018. Under Lewis’ leadership,
the 4th CST responded to 34 chemical, biological and radiation
response missions, and conducted more than 300 steady state and
assist missions.
During the ceremony, McLemore presented Lewis with the
Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his leadership and
accomplishments. Lewis’ wife Deserra received the Georgia
Commendation Medal in recognition of her support to the
soldiers, airmen and families of the 4th CST.
Lewis thanked McLemore, his family and the soldiers of the
4th CST in his farewell remarks.
“My only real contribution was to provide guidance and
direction, the remainder of the idea generation and planning was
done by the team, and for that I thank you,” said Lewis.
Lieutenant Colonel Henry Donaldson comes to the 4th CST
from the Joint Force Headquarters of the Georgia National
for domestic operations. Like Lewis, Donaldson led a platoon in
Iraq from 2005 to 2006 and served as commander of the Cantonbased
Troop B, 108th Cavalry in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010.
Donaldson additionally has served as an instructor at the Georgia
Military Institute. Over his career, Donaldson has served in
McLemore welcomed Donaldson to the 201st RSG and 4th
CST in his closing remarks during the change of command
ceremony.
“My conversations with (Donaldson) have convinced me that
this organization, bar none,” said McLemore. “Ultimately, he is
The 4th CST was established October 1, 1998, in Georgia as
full-time National Guard soldiers and airmen, the unit provides
support to civil authorities by identifying chemical, biological and
nuclear hazards and assessing impact and mitigation methods.
The unit consistently ranks among the most active teams in the
nation providing subject matter expert support to large-scale
public events such as Super Bowl LIII and other large-draw
sporting and concert events in Atlanta and throughout the
southeast region. The 4th CST members are on 24-hour standby,
365 days a year, prepared to respond to chemical, biological
or nuclear emergencies due to terrorism, natural disasters or
accidents.
Lieutenant Colonel Henry Donaldson, incoming commander of the 4th
Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team receives the unit’s
colors from Col. Alexander McLemore, commander of the Mariettabased
201st Regional Support Group to symbolize his assumption of
command. (Photo by Maj. William Carraway)