An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Article View
News | April 6, 2025

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

By Sgt. Denis Nunez

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.

After all events came to an end, Sgt. David Shelden was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and Spc. Eli Nielsen earned the title of Soldier of the Year.

Participants competed in events including the Army Combat Fitness Test, land navigation, weapons qualification, medical lanes, a timed 12-mile ruck march, and a formal appearance before a board of senior NCOs. The competition is designed to identify the most capable and well-rounded Soldiers across the force.
Both winners will advance to represent the Vermont Army National Guard at the regional Best Warrior Competition later this year.

The Best Warrior Competition promotes readiness, resilience, and leadership development while recognizing top-performing Soldiers throughout the organization.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

Vermont National Guard News
More than 6,000 visitors showed up to an open house hosted by the Vermont Air and Army National Guard, where military aviation, equipment, vehicles, munitions and flight simulators were on display, along with a career fair, musical performances and police dog demonstrations, at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, Sept. 11, 2022. The event was planned to coincide with the Vermont National Guard's observance of the 21st anniversary of the attacks of 9/11 which saw Vermont Air National Guard F-16s flying patrols over NYC in the immediate aftermath of the attack. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ryan Campbell)
Vermont National Guard Open House Returns This Fall with Expanded Parking, Military Exhibits, and Family Fun
By Lt. Col. Meghan Smith | July 1, 2025
The Vermont National Guard will host an Open House at the Vermont Air National Guard Base on Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m...
In celebration of Independence Day, the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing will conduct a regional flyover on July 4, honoring the spirit of the holiday and the enduring support of communities across Vermont and upstate New York. This schedule is subject to change.
Vermont Air National Guard F-35 Independence Day Flyover
By Lt. Col. Meghan Smith | June 26, 2025
In celebration of Independence Day, the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing will conduct a regional flyover on July 4, honoring the spirit of the holiday and the enduring support of communities across Vermont and...
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, operating High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle turrets armed with two M2A1 .50 Cal machine guns and two M240 machine guns fire rounds during a combined arms live-fire night exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, May 31, 2025. Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment, and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)
Vermont Guard Soldiers prove lethality along NATO allies at Immediate Response 25
By Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger | June 4, 2025
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard participated in a combined arms live-fire exercise, May 29-31, 2025, during...
U.S. Air National Guard civilian firefighters, assigned to the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department, pose in front of the fire truck that was the first on scene, South Burlington, VT, June 4, 2025. These firefighters provided the first fire truck on scene to a local fire. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Raymond LaChance)
First to the Flames
By Airman Raymond LaChance | June 4, 2025
As the sun began to set over the Green Mountains on May 2, 2025, Firefighter Doireann Chesbrough, a civilian firefighter for the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department, found herself in the dayroom of the station, sitting...
U.S. Soldiers with the 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, and Austrian Land Forces assemble brazier charges used to breach wire barriers as part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, May 31, 2025. The Vermont National Guard has a bilateral relationship with Austria and training like this provides opportunities for both nations to cooperate and strengthen their relations. Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Raul Boamah)
Vermont National Guard cross-train U.S. infantrymen and Austrian Land Force personnel on various demolition techniques
By Pfc. Raul Boamah | June 1, 2025
U.S. Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard cross-train U.S. infantrymen and Austrian Land Force personnel on various...
More