Articles
Vermont Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the adjutant general of Vermont, salutes Col. Michael Blair after taking command of the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing from Col. Daniel Finnegan, outgoing commander of the 158th, during a change of command ceremony

May 3, 2025

158th FW Welcomes New Commander

Col. Michael Blair assumed command of the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing during a change of command ceremony on May 3 at 1:00 p.m.

U.S. Air National Guard Airmen assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing return from deployment

April 22, 2025

Green Mountain Boys Return Home

Hundreds of Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing have returned home to Vermont following a months-long deployment to Kadena Air Base, Japan. Over the coming weeks, additional Airmen, equipment, and F-35 Lightning II aircraft will continue to arrive home as the deployment concludes.

U.S. Air National Guard Senior Airman Landon Potvin, an operations support specialist assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, pauses his duties to take an environmental portrait for an airman spotlight story

April 15, 2025

Service Beyond the Base

An Airman with the Vermont Air National Guard's Communications Squadron makes noise on the basketball court, mentoring the youth about skills essential on and off the court.

U.S. Army Soldiers compete in a patrol race at the Goms Nordic Center, in Geschinen, Switzerland

April 9, 2025

CISM 2025 World Winter Military Games

U.S. Army Soldiers from five different states represented the U.S. Armed Forces Sports team at the 2025 CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) Military World Winter Games hosted by the Swiss Military from March 23 to March 30 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Burns, an 11B Infantryman, 3-127nd A. Co. (MTN), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, mentally prepares for an alpine snowboard race at Titlis Mountain, Engelberg.

April 9, 2025

Soldier Spotlight: Spc. Robby Burns - Pro Snowboarder

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Burns assigned to 3-172nd A. Co., 86th Infantry Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, represented the U.S. Armed Forces Sports team at the 2025 CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) Military World Winter Games hosted by the Swiss Military from March 23 to March 30 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Palmer (left) and Spc. Eli Nielsen, Vermont National Guard, receives awards at the end of the Best Warrior Competition

April 6, 2025

Vermont Army National Guard Names 2025 Best Warriors at Ethan Allen Firing Range

The Vermont Army National Guard held its annual Best Warrior Competition at the Ethan Allen Firing Range April 5–6, 2025, challenging Soldiers and noncommissioned officers in a rigorous test of physical and mental readiness.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Eric L. Gagnon (incoming) and Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond J. Myers, Vermont Army National Guard, conducts a change of command ceremony.

April 5, 2025

Vermont Army National Guard Land Component Commander: COC & Brig. Gen. James M. Pabis Retirement

The Vermont Army National Guard’s Land Component Command welcomes a new general officer as Brig. Gen. James M. Pabis (retired) relinquishes command to Brig. Gen. Eric L. Gagnon during a change of command ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, at the Green Mountain Armory in Colchester, Vermont.

Photo of U.S. Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Sdankus, assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, standing in front of the Command Section building on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Japan, March 26, 2025.

April 3, 2025

Bridging Skies and Seas

The ocean churned beneath the incoming helicopters, their rotors slicing through the humid Pacific air. Special operations forces stood at the edge of open ramp doors, seconds from making their drop into the sea. This wasn’t just a drill; it was a test of their ability to execute under the most demanding conditions, where split-second decisions meant the difference between success and failure.

U.S. Army Spc. Caleb Hunter, Maine National Guard, leads team U.S.A. with the flag over his shoulder during the opening ceremony of the CISM 2025 World Winter Military Games

March 24, 2025

U.S. Winter Team arrive to CISM World Games 2025 in Switzerland

The 2025 Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (CISM) will be held in Switzerland this year. The United States team arrived for the World Military Games where they will compete in a slew of winter games that range from nordic to alpine skiing, biathlon, and climbing.

Photo of, From left: Japan Air Self Defense Force Capt. Nakanishi, U.S. Air Force Lt. Mike Watson and Royal Australian Air Force FLTLT Ryan pose for a photo in front of an F-35A Lightning II on the flight-line for exercise Cope North 2025 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 19, 2025.

March 7, 2025

Cope North 25 Strengthens Trilateral Airpower and Interoperability

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE — For the first time, F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Japan, the United States, and Australia conducted trilateral training operations, enhancing joint capabilities and interoperability. Representing the United States’ fifth-generation fighter presence, the Vermont Air National Guard’s 134th Fighter Squadron deployed a portion of its fleet for the exercise.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard - April 2025

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The above YouTube video link may not work on all government computers. Read the transcript of MG Gregory Knight's full State of the Guard here.

Green Mountain Guard Newsletter Archive

National Guard News
A U.S. Air Force aircrew flight equipment specialist participates in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) decontamination training during exercise Toxic Peach at the 165th Airlift Wing, Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, April 29, 2025. Hosted by the Georgia Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Wing, exercise Toxic Peach 2025 readied approximately 150 joint service military members to complete large-scale CBRN decontamination of aircrew in a simulated austere environment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Coursey)
Georgia's 165th Airlift Wing Hosts Response Exercise TOXIC PEACH 2025
By Senior Airman Victoria Coursey, | May 6, 2025
SAVANNAH, Ga. — About 150 joint service military members, including Airmen and Soldiers from more than 36 different units and seven major commands, recently conducted exercise Toxic Peach. The April 28–May 2 exercise at the...
A Vietnam veteran renders a salute from his wheelchair as he passes through the honor corridor at the Medford Airport, Medford, Ore., May 4, 2025. Oregon Army National Guard soldiers and Patriot Guard Riders formed the corridor to welcome veterans returning from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., where they visited military memorials honoring their service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
Oregon National Guard Soldiers Welcome Veterans Home from Honor Flight
By Maj. Wayne Clyne, | May 6, 2025
MEDFORD, Ore. – Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment formed up at the Medford Airport on May 4 to welcome home veterans returning from an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. The...
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Rafaela Laguillo, a radio transmissions journeyman with the 156th Combat Communications Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, sets-up a GATOR ball antenna during a Full Operating Capability (FOC) evaluation at Punta Salinas Air National Guard Station, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, April 24, 2025. A team of approximately 25 Airmen assigned to the 156th CBCS was evaluated on their level of proficiency in providing NIPR, SIPR, and VOIP services in an expeditionary setting as part of the FOC certification process.
Puerto Rico Air Guard Tests Flexible Communications in Evaluation
By Senior Airman Victoria Jewett, | May 6, 2025
PUNTA SALINAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Puerto Rico — U.S. Airmen assigned to the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Combat Communications Squadron deployed two Flexible Communication Packages as part of their Full...
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