Articles
A U.S. Air Force Airman attaches a hook to aid in securing the frame of an Alaskan Small Shelter System at the Silver Flag exercise on Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, March 31, 2022. The primary focus of Silver Flag is to teach Airmen from the civil engineer, force support, and vehicle maintenance squadrons essential skills to complete operations outside of their primary duties.

April 15, 2022

158th Civil Engineers hone skills at Silver Flag

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida — Tyndall Air Force Base welcomed 14 Green Mountain Boys from the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Civil Engineer Squadron to Florida for the annual Silver Flag exercise March 21 to April 1.

U.S. Army Sgt. Avah Eaton, a paralegal specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, takes part in an inner-perimeter security patrol Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, March 2021. While deployed, Eaton served as battalion paralegal and took on additional human resource specialist tasks to assist the unit. (courtesy photo)

April 12, 2022

Vermont Soldier describes career path as 'a good unexpected'

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — For U.S. Army Sgt. Avah Eaton joining the Vermont Army National Guard brought many unexpected results. Among them, included applying for and accepting an offer to serve full-time in a human resources capacity with 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain). Recently returning from a deployment to Southwest Asia, Eaton reenlisted when offered the Active Guard Reserve position.

Photograph of Tech. Sgt. Normal Losh standing with Civil Engineering equipment outside at the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington, Vermont.,

April 11, 2022

Off Duty Airman Saves Stranger's Life

Vermont Air National Guard Base — On Monday, April 4, 2022, Tech. Sgt. Norman Losh, a member of the 158th Fighter Wing Civil Engineer Squadron, sprang to action. Losh looked over and noticed an elderly gentleman who appeared to be choking and rushed to his side.

U.S. Army Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 172 Infantry (Mountain) Headquarters Company and C Company, Vermont National Guard, conduct mountain training with Royal Saudi Land Forces Special Forces at the RSLF Mountain Warfare School in Saudi Arabia. Between October and November 2021, approximately 70 U.S. Army Soldiers attended the training. (Courtesy photo)

April 1, 2022

Vermont Guard Soldiers hone mountain skills with Saudi Arabian Special Forces

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — For the first time, a conventional U.S. Army National Guard unit conducted training with Royal Saudi Land Forces Special Forces Instructors at the Royal Saudi Land Forces Mountain Warfare School.

Vermont Army National Guard rotary-wing pilots with 86th Troop Command conducted an aviation exchange with Senegalese Air Force pilots, March 13-19, 2022. The exchange was part of the State Partnership Program and the pilots discussed topics of aviation safety in addition to visiting Senegalese Air Force facilities. (courtesy photo)

March 30, 2022

Vermont National Guard, Senegalese air force conduct aviation exchange

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Vermont Army National Guard rotary-wing representatives with 86th Troop Command took part in an aviation exchange with Senegalese Air Force helicopter pilots as part of the State Partnership Program in Dakar, Senegal, March 13-19.

U.S. Army Military Police Soldiers of the Vermont National Guard's 172nd Law Enforcement Detachment at Fort Bliss, Texas

March 29, 2022

Vermont National Guard Military Police provide inner-base security while deployed

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — From March to November 2021, 33 Vermont National Guard Military Police Soldiers of the 172nd Law Enforcement Detachment conducted a law enforcement and inner-base security mission at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania.

An F-35A Lightning II pilot assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, prepares for launch during routine flying operations

March 21, 2022

VTANG night ops scheduled

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont — The Vermont Air National Guard will conduct night flying March 22-25 and from March 29 to April 1, with two takeoff periods.

Soldiers from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, set up their bivouac site in the Arctic Circle, March 3, 2014 during Guerrier Nordique extreme cold weather training in Canada.

March 18, 2022

Vermont Guardsmen take part in combined extreme cold weather exercise in Canada

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — A small group of Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers made a cold and wintery trek into the Canadian wilderness starting at the end of February.

U.S. Army Spc. Timothy Clark, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment Mountain, Maneuver Battalion, Kosovo Force Regional Command-East, patrols near Gate 1 Jarinje in Kosovo, Feb. 3, 2022. Commanders use scout data to inform decisions and plan future missions which support a safe and secure environment for all people of Kosovo.

March 14, 2022

86th IBCT (MTN) completes KFOR mission

FORT BLISS, Texas — The 29th U.S. deployment to Kosovo Force (KFOR) is at an end, and with it comes reflection and a glance at what is next. For the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), the sky is the limit.

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.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard 2026

Note: the above YouTube video link may not work on all government computers. 

Green Mountain Guard Newsletter Archive

National Guard News
From left to right, U.S. Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau; U.S. Senator Richard Neal of Massachusetts; Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll; U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy; Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe; U.S. Army Maj. John Velis, Massachusetts senator for Hampden and Hampshire districts; and U.S. Air Force Col. Michael 'Shot' Glass, commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, pose for a group photo in front of an F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighter aircraft during a ceremony at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts, Sept. 13 2026. The official arrival of the F-35 to Barnes marks the culmination of a decade of effort, including work by military officials, Massachusetts state lawmakers, congressional committees and local civic partners. The 104th's new mission to provide lethal and ready airpower to combatant commanders anytime and anywhere carries forth the heritage of the National Guard first formed in Massachusetts more than 250 years ago – always ready, and by the sword. Photo by Airman 1st Class Ellen Ozkaptan.
Massachusetts Guard Welcomes Fifth‑Generation Fighter
By Airman 1st Class Ellen Ozkaptan, | Sept. 14, 2026
BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. – The Massachusetts National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing marked a milestone Sept. 13 when it officially welcomed the F‑35A Lightning II to Barnes Air National Guard Base with a...
U.S. Army Sgt. Jeffery Vernon with the Alabama National Guard, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia, or JTF-DC, in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, patrol at the Judiciary Circle in Washington, Sept. 10, 2026. About 3,100 National Guard members are supporting the mission, providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters and visitors throughout the District. Photo by Sgt. Katlynn Pickle.
Alabama Guard Helps De-Escalate Metro Station Confrontation
By Sgt. Katlynn Pickle, | Sept. 14, 2026
WASHINGTON – U.S. Soldiers with the Alabama National Guard, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia, or JTF-DC, in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, assisted Metro Transit Police Sept. 8 in de-escalating...
U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II aviators assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, conduct flight operations while responding to a simulated medical emergency during SAREX 2026 near Sitka, Alaska, April 16, 2026. SAREX 2026 was a search-and-rescue exercise conducted by U.S. Coast Guardsmen assigned to Sector Southeastern Alaska and U.S. Arctic out of USCG Air Station Sitka. Participants also included Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command, Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons, Air Force Reserve pararescuemen from the 304th Rescue Squadron out of Portland, Oregon, civilian search and rescue personnel with Sitka Search and Rescue, and volunteers from the National Park Service. The collaborative and realistic training drew on the participants’ varied backgrounds, experiences and practices, to enhance SAR proficiency and collective readiness when conducting life-saving missions along Alaska’s extensive and austere coast. Photo by Alejandro Pena.
Alaska Guard Rescues Pilots From Two Plane Crashes
By Maj. David Bedard, | Sept. 14, 2026
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued two pilots in two separate plane crashes Sept. 10.The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson...
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