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.

Vermont National Guard Logo Press Releases
Press Release | April 12, 2019

Vermont Army National Guard Packs for JRTC Rotation

The Vermont Army National Guard will be loading rail cars in Burlington as we prepare for our Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Rail operations will take place at the Burlington Rail Yard from April 12-April 18, 2019.

Most of the traffic created by bringing equipment and vehicles to the rail yard will be done very early in the morning to prevent any additional traffic to the Burlington area.

“JRTC is the Super Bowl of training events for infantry brigade combat teams and is how the Army generates increased readiness for select brigades,” said Col. Nathan Lord, commander, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (MTN). “Vermont’s Mountain Brigade’s stellar reputation earned in combat and through multiple trips to JRTC in the past is why we were selected. I acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices families and employers are making as our country asks more and more of our citizen-Soldiers.”

JRTC is the largest training exercise available for IBCTs. More than 5,000 Soldiers from 18 states and territories will participate in the exercise. JRTC simulates a deployed environment where Soldiers are put into high stress situations.

National Guard News
Airmen assigned to the 155th Communications Squadron adjust VHF and UHF radio antennas during a disaster response exercise in Yutan, Nebraska, Sept. 2, 2026. The antennas support a cross-band communications system that allows radios from different teams and responding agencies to communicate with one another, helping establish an interoperable communications network during large-scale emergency response operations. Photo by Master Sgt. Jessica Kind.
Nebraska Guard Strengthens Disaster Response Readiness
By Master Sgt. Jessica Kind, | Sept. 10, 2026
YUTAN, Neb. – About 250 Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen gathered at the Atlas Readiness Center Sept. 1-3 for an annual joint field training exercise designed to strengthen the Guard’s ability to respond to...

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Poole, a crew chief with C Company, 1st Battalion, 376th Aviation Regiment, Kentucky National Guard, performs prechecks on the aircraft prior to their simulated surveillance mission at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, or CRTC, Wisconsin, during Patriot 26, Aug. 25, 2026. Patriot 26 is an Air National Guard-hosted exercise taking place at Volk Field CRTC that brings together about 1,000 Airmen and Soldiers from National Guard units across 35 states, along with federal, state and local agencies, to enhance domestic response readiness and interagency coordination during large-scale emergencies. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane.
Kentucky Guard Strengthens Skills During Patriot 2026
By Capt. Kaitlin Baudendistel, | Sept. 10, 2026
VOLK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Wis. – Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers strengthened their aviation and emergency response capabilities during Patriot 2026, a large-scale joint disaster response exercise held Aug...

U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Althea Pittman, Hawaii Army National Guard cyber specialist, engages in computer tasks during a cyber exercise held at the Indonesian Armed Forces Staff and Command School during Super Garuda Shield 26 in Bandung, Indonesia, Sep. 4, 2026. Super Garuda Shield is an annual exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities and cooperation. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Orlando Corpuz.
Hawaii Guard, Indonesia Partners Strengthen Cyber Defense Capabilities
By Tech. Sgt. Orlando Corpuz, | Sept. 10, 2026
BANDUNG, Indonesia – Hawaii National Guard and multinational cyber professionals participating in Super Garuda Shield 2026 tested a more integrated approach to defensive cyber operations Aug. 31-Sept. 10 at the Indonesian...