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Vermont National Guard Logo Press Releases
Press Release | July 17, 2020

86th IBCT Change of Command

Vermont National Guard Public Affairs

JERICHO, Vermont  –  

The Vermont Army National Guard will host a change of command ceremony for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) on July 19, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vermont.

Col. Nathan Lord, commander, 86th IBCT (MTN), will relinquish command to Col. Brey Hopkins.

“On Sunday we say goodbye to Col. Lord who served as commander of the 86th IBCT during a critical time; his leadership brought the 86th IBCT to a higher level of achievement earning the brigade a reputation as one of the best IBCT’s in the Army,” said Brig. Gen. David Manfredi, land component commander, Vermont Army National Guard. “This ceremony is an opportunity to thank him for his leadership and accomplishments, and to welcome Col. Hopkins as the new commander. We look forward to his leadership as he prepares the brigade for its upcoming deployments.”

The 86th IBCT (MTN) is comprised of 3rd Battalion 172nd Infantry, 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Squadron 172nd Cavalry, and the 186th Brigade Support Battalion in Vermont. 1st Battalion 102nd Infantry in Connecticut, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery in Massachusetts (one battery in Vermont) and 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry in Colorado. All of these battalions fall under the command of the 86th IBCT (MTN).

An estimated 1,000 Soldiers, mainly from the 86th IBCT (MTN), are scheduled to deploy in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. African Command in 2021.

Effective October 1, 2024: To streamline communications, all F-35 and Air National Guard related inquiries should be routed directly to the 158th Fighter Wing contact page or by calling 802-660-5379. F-35 flying alerts (ie night flying schedules) will only be posted on the Vermont Air National Guard website.
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