Articles
Students at the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School’s Advanced Military Mountaineer Course in Jericho, Vermont, drag mountaineering equipment on sleds as they leave the site where they camped in temperatures that plunged to -29 degrees with windchill Jan. 27, 2022.

Feb. 17, 2022

Beyond the Basics: U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School

CAMP ETHAN ALLEN TRAINING SITE, Vermont — The education at the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School doesn’t end at the Basic Military Mountaineer Course.From the four advanced and specialty courses taught in the hills and mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire to the

F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 34th Fighter Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah depart Vermont Air National Guard Base in South Burlington, Vt, Feb. 16, 2022. These deployments were conducted in full coordination with host nations and NATO military authorities, and although temporary in nature, they are prudent measures to increase readiness and enhance NATOs collective defense during this period of uncertainty. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Davis)

Feb. 16, 2022

VTNG releases statement on F-35 operations

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — In the early morning of Feb. 16, F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 34th Fighter Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah departed the Vermont Air National Guard Base in transit to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. We understand the concern experienced by some this morning, and while the Vermont National Guard will not respond to individual comments related to this mission, the Public Affairs Office has logged all concerns, and leadership takes each comment seriously.

U.S. Army Capt. Mike Arcovitch, commander, and Sgt. Gloria Kamencik, public affairs specialist, 172nd Public Affairs Detachment, Vermont Army National Guard, lead a crisis communication workshop at the Army Home in Skopje, North Macedonia, Feb. 8-10, 2022. The Vermont National Guard and North Macedonia have been partners in the State Partnership Program since 1993.

Feb. 16, 2022

Vermont Guard shares communication strategy with state partner

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — Soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard led a crisis communication workshop at the Army Home in Skopje, North Macedonia, Feb. 8-10.

Vermont Army National Guard Spc. Wynn Roberts, competes in the patrol race at Camp Ripley, Minn., on Feb. 27, 2013. Over 400 members of the army and Air National Guard across 31 states competed in and supported this year's Chief National Guard Biathlon. (Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jeremy Bowcock/Released)

Feb. 4, 2022

How the National Guard Biathlon Program came to Vermont

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Next year marks the 50th anniversary the Vermont National Guard has hosted the National Guard Biathlon program.

Spc. Deedra Irwin, a human resources specialist with 86th Troop Command, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, fires a Biathlon rifle during a practice session at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont, on Nov. 2, 2021. Irwin, a native of Pulaski, Wisconsin, competed in the 2021 Biathlon World Championship and is on Team USA's 2021-2022 National A Team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

Feb. 3, 2022

Schedule released for Vermont National Guard Olympic biathletes

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Vermont National Guard Olympic biathletes will compete in televised events Feb. 5-16, with possibilities to compete on Feb. 18 and 19, National Guard Biathlon training officials announced Feb. 3. Most events will be televised live in the early morning hours on NBC Sports and on www.peacocktv.com, with rebroadcast on USA Network later in the day.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Hampson, an instructor at the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School, gives a block of instruction on mountain casualty evacuation to French service members with the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) at the French Combat Training Center at Arta Beach, Djibouti, Dec. 14, 2021. Five instructors from the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vt. taught a five-day Joint Expeditionary Mountain Warfare Course on basic military mountaineering skills to French service members in Djibouti to strengthen the relationships among the international forces working together in the region. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Stock)

Jan. 11, 2022

Vermont Guardsman rescues three from a frozen lake on Christmas day

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Immediate action by Vermont National Guard Staff Sgt. John Hampson on Christmas Day, 2021, “very likely saved the lives of three people,” according to U.S. Navy Reserve Cmdr. Jordan Gottfried.

Spc. Vaclav Cervenka, a carpentry and masonry specialist with Det. 1, Headquarters Company, Garrison Support Command, Vermont Army National Guard, practices firing a Biathlon rifle during practice at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont, on Nov. 2, 2021. Cervenka is on Team USA's 2021-2022 X Team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

Jan. 11, 2022

Vermont National Guard Soldiers make 2022 Olympic Biathlon Team

JERICHO, Vermont — Three Vermont National Guard biathletes will compete in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing as part of the U.S. Biathlon Team with an additional member named as the men’s alternate.

The Vermont National Guard has a new psychological health coordinator. In October 2021 Jordan Imhoff was hired for the position. Imhoff previously served as the Vermont National Guard alcohol and drug control officer in the Behavioral Services Office. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua Cohen)

Jan. 6, 2022

Meet Jordan Imhoff: Vermont Guard’s new psychological health coordinator

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont National Guard has a new psychological health coordinator. In October 2021 Jordan Imhoff was hired for the position. Imhoff previously served as the Vermont National Guard Alcohol and Drug Control Officer in the Behavioral Services Office.

Command Sgt. Maj. Melinda Crosby, incoming command sergeant major for the 186th Brigade Support Batallion, 86th Infantry Combat Team (Mountain), speaks with her son, Marcus, prior to the change of responsibility ceremony in Northfield, Vermont, Dec. 4, 2021. Crosby succeeds Command Sgt. Maj. Allen King, who is retiring after 38 years of service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

Dec. 23, 2021

Newest 186th command sergeant major seeks to grow Soldiers’ potential

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The newest command sergeant major for the 186th Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), might not have served beyond her first enlistment if not for a couple of non-commissioned officers who saw her potential and the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Now, Command Sgt. Maj. Melinda Crosby wants to help bring out the potential in the Soldiers in her unit.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Elijah Amendola, 1-102nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Task Force Iron Gray, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), assists a French service member with the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) on fixed rope techniques at the Arta Range Complex, Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2021. Five instructors from the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vermont, taught a five-day Joint Expeditionary Mountain Warfare Course on basic military mountaineering skills to French service members in Djibouti to strengthen the relationships among the international forces working together in the region.

Dec. 21, 2021

Vermont Army Guard hosts mountain warfare course in Djibouti

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — Five U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School instructors with the Vermont Army National Guard traveled to Djibouti to teach a five-day Joint Expeditionary Mountain Warfare Course to service members from France’s 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) at the Arta Range Complex Dec. 12-16.

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
Soldiers from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Texas Army National Guard, conduct a basket lift with a role player and canine during the 2026 Search and Rescue Exercise in the San Antonio area May 18-21. The 36th Combat Aviation Brigade plays a critical role in disaster response exercises by providing rapid aerial response, personnel transport and coordinated aviation support alongside civilian agencies, strengthening interagency partnerships essential to lifesaving operations. Photo by Capt. Jasmine Mathews.
Texas Guard Strengthens Search, Rescue Readiness
By Capt. Jasmine Mathews, | May 29, 2026
SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Military Department participated in the 2026 Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) May 18-21, marking twelve years of interagency partnership.SAREX focuses on disaster response preparedness for search and...
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing takes off for a training flight during Checkered Flag 26-2 and the Weapons System Evaluation Program-East at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., April 29, 2026. Tyndall’s location adjacent to the Gulf Range Complex makes it one of the few installations in the United States capable of supporting large-scale air combat training, building the aircrew proficiency and readiness required for critical 4th- and 5th-generation fighter integration and live-fire exercises. Photo by Master Sgt. Kregg York.
Ohio Air Guard Enhances Combat Airpower at Checkered Flag
By Master Sgt. Kregg York, | May 29, 2026
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – In a contested environment, air superiority depends on more than advanced technology. It also requires the training and experience to use that technology effectively — a focus for the Ohio...
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the New York Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing conduct rappel operations during an Air Combat Command Combat Readiness Inspection at Fort Drum, New York, May 14, 2026. Combat Readiness Inspections are designed to assess a unit’s ability to quickly mobilize, deploy and carry out mission-essential tasks in challenging and contested environments. Photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah McKernan.
New York Air Guard Conducts Combat Readiness Exercise
By Tech. Sgt. Sean Madden and Tech. Sgt. Kevin Donaldson, | May 29, 2026
FRANCIS S. GABRESKI AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. –  More than 1,000 Airmen assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing completed a five-day combat readiness exercise, testing every element of the unit’s operations, personnel recovery...
More