86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain)

The 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) is composed of seven battalions made up of nearly 1,800 Vermonters and 4,250 total Soldiers. The brigade includes units in six states, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Colorado. The brigade's mission is to provide a crewed, trained, and ready mountain ICBT capable of deploying anywhere in the world, under any climactic conditions, to conduct decisive action when directed by appropriate command authority. On order, the 86th ICBT (MTN) provides a trained and ready force capable of responding in support of civil, federal, and domestic response as directed by the state adjutant general and governor.

National Guard Soldiers from the Minnesota-based 34th Infantry Division pack a U.S. Air Force-operated C-17 in August following the completion of their mission in Kabul, Afghanistan. Deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, about 400 Soldiers from 34th ID were temporarily relocated to Kabul, Afghanistan, and have since arrived safely in Kuwait, where they are assigned. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Charles Anderson)

March 10, 2022

12 Days in August: Vermont Guardsmen reflect on Operation Allies Refuge

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — When Spc. Ryan Moon and Spc. Riley Benoit deployed to Southwest Asia with Task Force Avalanche, the mortarmen did not anticipate a 12-day mission in Afghanistan, taking part in the evacuation of thousands as part of Operation Allies Refuge.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson, a combat medic assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, Vermont National Guard, sits in the cabin of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua Cohen)

March 3, 2022

Soldier Spotlight: Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — When Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson, a combat medic, joined the New York Army National Guard, she did not anticipate the course her military career would take. “I originally enlisted in the New York Army National Guard when I was 17, right out of high school,” Johnson explained. “My dad was in the military, so he always pushed me in that direction, I never really knew I wanted to be in the Army, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field first.”

The District of Columbia National Guard will help U.S. Capitol and D.C. police at traffic control points in the nation's capital during anticipated First Amendment protests in February and March 2022. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III approved the assistance of up to 400 DCNG members and 300 Guard members from outside the District of Columbia.

Feb. 23, 2022

National Guard to back law enforcement at DC demonstrations

WASHINGTON — As many as 700 members of the National Guard will be available to help local law enforcement during

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Avalanche of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, return home from deployment, in South Burlington, Vermont, Dec 9, 2021. Family, friends, and colleagues were present to greet the Soldiers as they arrived. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Denis Nuñez)

Feb. 16, 2022

Adjutant general issues biannual update: Feb. 2022

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the state adjutant general, released the Vermont National Guard's legislative update on Feb. 14.

U.S Army Spc. Deedra Irwin, 86th Troop Command, finishes strong on the ruck portion during the Vermont best warrior competition. at Ethan Allen Firing Range, April 10, 2021.Spc. Deedra Irwin, the Vermont National Guard's Soldier of the Year, placed seventh in the U.S. Olympic Biathlon's women's 15k individual race in February 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Devin Nuñez)

Feb. 9, 2022

VTNG leaders discuss hot topics in Facebook live town hall

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Vermont National Guard senior leaders answered questions related to mental health treatment and education benefits and discussed updates within the Guard during a Facebook Live town hall event Feb. 8.

  • Leadership

    Col. Leonard Poirier

  • History
  • Units

    VERMONT

    1st Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment
    3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment
    572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion 
    186th Brigade Support Battalion 

    CONNECTICUT

    1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment

    MASSACHUSETTS

    1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment

    COLORADO

    1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment