Amid conflict in the middle east, Douglas County Commissioner Ricky Dobbs, Jr. headed to Israel-Hamas war

The conflict in the Middle East is having an impact on the metro Atlanta area, and it is also affecting Douglas County Commissioner Ricky Dobbs, Jr. He is a U.S. Navy reservist who has received orders to deploy overseas. As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, Dobbs is answering the call to duty as he prepares to fulfill his role as a U.S. Navy reservist in response to the situation.

Dobbs, who was appointed to the District One seat in the spring by Governor Brian Kemp, received orders to deploy in support of efforts to deter Hamas. In addition to his role as a lieutenant commander in the military and serving as a commissioner for Douglas County, Dobbs is also a health and fitness teacher and coach at Douglas County High School, and he is a father of two young daughters.

Describing his mission as ‘bittersweet,’ Dobbs is assigned to Italy, where he will remotely support efforts in Israel. His deployment is expected to span several months, during which he will continue to fulfill his county commission duties and serve the people of Douglas County through teleconferencing.

Speaking about his deployment orders, Dobbs said, “In these situations, I never cease to be a teacher or a commissioner. All of those responsibilities will continue. I just have got to find a way that I can make it all happen.” Dobbs called his mission bittersweet. “I know this is what I signed up for,” he said, adding: “One of the toughest things is I have a 9- year-old daughter… She is understanding. I am grateful for that. But it is just an adjustment you have to make.”

During the Hamas October 7 attack, more than 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed and 220 civilians, including women and children, were kidnapped, according to the United Nations. A day after the Hamas attack, the Pentagon announced it was sending military warships closer to Israel as a show of support. The Pentagon’s press secretary said 900 U.S. troops have deployed or were in the process of deploying to U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, which includes the Middle East.

According to a report released Wednesday by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, in the wake of the attack on Israel, Georgia’s religious communities and police agencies are boosting security and the state’s public school systems are urging vigilance as antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assaults have risen sharply in the United States.