COVID-19 Response From The Vermont National Guard

COVID-19 Response in Photos

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An F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter pilot assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, adjusts a POW/MIA flag while preparing for takeoff from Vermont Air National Guard Base May 22. Four F-35As honored Vermont’s front line COVID-19 responders and essential workers with a 90-minute statewide flyover as part of Operation America Strong, an Air Force effort to salute healthcare workers across the country.

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Air Force Master Sgt. Karl Johansen holds a COVID-19 test kit at the Strategic National Stockpile Warehouse Aug. 27, 2020. Airmen from across the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing have supported operations at the SNS Warehouse since March 2020, and continue to support Vermont's efforts to distribute personal protective equipment throughout the state and conduct widespread testing for COVID-19. Johansen is a test kit assembly team supervisor with the 158th FW.

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Vermont National Guard Soldiers and state partners hustle to load meals into vehicles in Peru, Vermont, May 19, 2020. The Vermont National Guard assists the Vermont Food Bank "Farmers to Families" program and Vermont Emergency Management provide fresh produce, dairy and prepared meals.

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Vermont National Guard soldiers load Meals, Ready-to-Eat into a Vermont resident's car at Folsom Elementary School in South Hero, Vermont, May 1, 2020. The outreach program, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Vermont Foodbank, is part of Vermont's whole-of-government effort to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic and help Vermonters affected economically.

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Air Force Maj. Amber Macrae practices going over patient information at the Alternate Healthcare Facility in Essex, Vermont, April 7, 2020. The Vermont National Guard is working with the state of Vermont and emergency response partners in a whole-of-government effort to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. Macrae is a medical provider with the 158th Medical Group.

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Sgt. 1st. Class Mason Lord verifies a sample for collection at a COVID-19 sample site at the Landmark College campus in Putney, Vt., April 3, 2020. The Vermont National Guard is working with the state of Vermont and emergency response partners in a whole-of-government effort to flatten the curve during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lord is a survey team chief with the Vermont National Guard's 15th Civil Support Team.

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Air Force Staff Sgt. Keith Gomo helps the Vermont Department of Health unload pallets of medical supplies at a distribution center in Vermont March 31, 2020. The Vermont National Guard is working with the state of Vermont and emergency response partners in a whole-of-government effort to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gomo is assigned to the 158th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

COVID-19 Stories

Lt. Col. Chris Gookin receives an Order of Military Medical Merit award from Col. George Horsley, Massachusetts Army National Guard state surgeon, at Camp Johnson, Vermont, on Aug. 4, 2022. Gookin was cited for his accomplishments in establishing 98 percent medical readiness for the Vermont Army National Guard and for his work with state partners Senegal and North Macedonia. (courtesy photo)

Aug. 29, 2022

Vermont deputy state surgeon receives Order of Military Medical Merit

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The former deputy state surgeon for the Vermont Army National Guard’s Medical Readiness Detachment received the Order of Military Medical Merit in August.

A group photo of the 15th Civil Support Team, Vermont National Guard, and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear battalion from the North Macedonia Army during a State Partnership Program engagement in Colchester, Vt., June 6-11, 2022. The engagement focused on working with civil authorities in the event of a disaster.

June 29, 2022

15th Civil Support Team Hosts State Partnership Program Engagement

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont National Guard’s 15th Civil Support Team hosted six Soldiers from North Macedonia for civil support training at Camp Johnson in Colchester, June 6 -11th. The North Macedonia Army soldiers were from a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Battalion and came to Vermont to conduct exercises with the Vermont National Guard’s 15th CST.

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.

U.S. Soldiers with the 172nd Cavalry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, provide security for a traffic control point, in Washington, D.C., Jan 23, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Denis Nuñez)

Dec. 17, 2021

The Vermont National Guard in 2021: Looking back on a busy year

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — In 2021 the Vermont National Guard fully engaged both federal and state missions. Overseas deployments and Joint Task Force Coyote, a critical component of the State’s response to the COVID-19, resulted in a high operational tempo, one not experienced in past years.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Nardo, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, injects James Bordeaux with a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Johnson, Vermont, March 18, 2021. The Vermont National Guard has begun offering vaccination to Vermont residents in support of the Vermont Department of Health. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Marcus Tracy)

Nov. 17, 2021

JTF Coyote begins pediatric COVID-19 clinics as adult booster vaccination numbers increase

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont National Guard now supports the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccinations for youth in the 5 to 11 age group and booster clinics for the general adult population.

Army Sgt. Lisa Kromer displays a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Doubletree Hotel in Burlington, Vermont, March 3, 2021. Kromer is part of the Vermont National Guard's Task Force Coyote, which recently transitioned from offering COVID testing to providing vaccinations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Josh Cohen)

Oct. 6, 2021

Joint Task Force Coyote continues COVID-19 vaccination clinics

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Recently extended until Dec. 31, the Vermont National Guard’s support to the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues. According to Maj. Daniel Dykeman, officer in charge of the Guard’s COVID joint task force, “JTF Coyote is currently occupied conducting vaccination clinics to meet the needs of the State of Vermont.”

Aug. 9, 2021

Biden to approve Austin's request to make COVID-19 vaccine mandatory

WASHINGTON — By mid-September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will request a waiver from President Joe Biden to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for service members, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.

Army 1st Lt. Joan Emerson of Charlie Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, records the hospital beds that are part of each medical pod at the Alternate Healthcare Facility in Essex, Vermont, on April 7th, 2020. The Vermont National Guard is working with the state of Vermont and emergency partners in a whole-of-government effort to flatten the curve during the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Cpl. Gillian McCreedy)

July 29, 2021

Voluntary COVID mapping task force concludes operations

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — In the early winter of 2020, Vermont Governor Phil Scott tasked the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont National Guard with mapping the spread of COVID-19 across the state.

Col. William Wagner (center) accepts the guidon for the 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) from Brig. Gen. James Pabis (left) during the 124th RTI's change-of-command ceremony March 6, 2021, at Camp Johnson, Vermont. The 124th RTI is home to the Army Mountain Warfare School, Information Operations Battalion, Officer Candidate Scchool, and the Basic Leaders Course. Also pictured is Command Sgt. Maj. John Digby III (right), the 124th RTI command sergeant major. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

July 7, 2021

New commander details 124th RTI's pandemic responses

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Operations at the Vermont National Guard’s 124th Regional Training Institute are gradually returning to the pre-COVID normal according to the Institute’s newly appointed commander, Col. William Wagner.

COVID-19 Resources

Response Timeline

2020

March 7: The Vermont Department of Health announces its first COVID-19 case.
March 13: Gov. Phil Scott declares a state of emergency and activates the Vermont National Guard to prepare for state active duty, beginning with five Airmen and two Soldiers. By March 24, a total of 48 Soldiers and Airmen are placed on state active duty.
March 23-27: Guardsmen construct medical surge facilities in Barre and St. Albans, each with a 50-bed capacity, a surge site at the University of Vermont with a 96-bed capacity, and a treatment and triage center at the UVM Medial Center Emergency Department, as Airmen support ongoing operations at the Strategic National Stockpile.
March 29: The 15 Civil Support Team starts supporting the Vermont Health Department's establishment of a COVID-19 test site in Putney with a team of 11 Soldiers and Airmen.
April 2-5: Soldiers and Airmen construct a 400-bed Alternate Healthcare Facility at the Chaplain Valley Exposition fairgrounds to provide augment local hospitals' available services. The AHF receives its first COVID patient April 10.
April 22-May 1: The Vermont National Guard distributes more than 160,000 meals, ready-to-eat, to communities suffering economically from the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a partnership with the Vermont Foodbank.
May 22: The 158th Fighter Wing conducts a 90-minute flyover of four F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters as a show of gratitude for health care professionals, first responders, and essential workers, as part of the Air Force's Operation America Strong.
May 29: The Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho resumes training after a suspension caused in part by the COVID pandemic.
July 20: A team of Airmen with the 158th Fighter Wing begins assembling enough COVID-19 test kits to ensure Vermont has a reserve of at least 20,000 kits.
Aug. 27: Airmen and Soldiers support operations at the Strategic National Stockpile warehouse to help Vermont reopen its public schools for the 2021 academic year.
Sept. 18: The 158th Fighter Wing team assembles its 50,000th COVID-19 test kit.
Nov. 19: The Vermont National Guard's COVID-19 Test Team moves its test facilities indoors and reactivates the Alternate Healthcare Facility, which remains in standby mode.

2021

Jan. 4: Soldiers with the Vermont Army National Guard Medical Detachment and the Air National Guard's 158th Medical Group roll out the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines received from the Defense Department, inoculating 60 service members against the virus.
Feb. 3: As Guardsmen receive their second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, medical professionals took time to dispel rumors about the vaccine through a series of Q&A sessions.
March 3: Task Force Coyote shifts its focus from COVID testing to vaccination, with enough supplies to provide 400 vaccinations per day.
May 21: Gov. Phil Scott announces that he will lift Vermont's state of emergency when 80 percent of the state's eligible population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
June 10: Members of the state's pandemic response team, including state Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine, were recognized by Vermont Guard senior leaders at a ceremony on Vermont Air National Guard Base.
June 14: The governor lifts the state of emergency in place since March 2020, citing the state's accomplishment in reaching the 80 percent vaccination threshold.
July: The voluntary COVID mapping task force ends operations after conducting more than 13,000 interviews and closing more than 10,000 cases.
Aug. 19: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III announces he will ask President Joe Biden to make the COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all service members "not later than mid-September."
November: Joint Task Force Coyote offers pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinics and booster vaccinations for adults seeking added protection against the COVID-19 Delta variant.

2022

Jan. 26: Col. Justin Davis, the Vermont National Guard director of plans and programs, says Guardsmen will increase staffing support to local hospitals in order to meet health care demands during the Omicron COVID-19 surge.