Articles
Airmen assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, board a C-130 Hercules at the Vermont Air National Guard base, South Burlington, Vt., July 13, 2021. Airmen, aircraft and support equipment from the Vermont Air National Guard depart to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for a three-week exercise, known as Red Flag—an exercise providing pilots, aircrew and operators a realistic training environment to prepare them for any combat environment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Richard Mekkri)

July 9, 2021

200 Airmen to train at Red Flag

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont — Airmen, aircraft and support equipment from the Vermont Air National Guard will begin departing on July 14, from the 158th Fighter Wing to train at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. This three-week exercise, known as Red Flag, provides pilots, aircrew and operators a realistic training environment to prepare them for any combat environment.

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.

Albanian soldiers suppress simulated opposing forces during crowd control training as part of KFOR 29 at Hohenfels, Germany, June 26, 2021. Allies and partners take part in KFOR 29 training in order to increase interoperability and prepare the unit for peace support, stability and contingency operations in Kosovo in support of civil authorities. NATO has been leading the international peacekeeping force in Kosovo since June 1999 to ensure a secure, stable and multi-ethnic Kosovo. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Enrique Moya)

July 2, 2021

VTARNG Soldiers arrive in Germany

HOHENFELS, Germany — Only weeks after a grueling year of COVID-19 support to Vermont and a month long mission to Washington, D.C. for Operation Capitol Response, over 900 Soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard are now deployed across the globe in support of various missions fulfilling our federal missions.

Lt Col. Matthew Wignall, battalion commander, stands with Col. Ricky Kue, battalion surgeon, both with 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Task Force Avalanche, during a site visit in Southwest Asia. The 3-172 IN (MTN) has reached 87 percent of its deployed force being COVID-19 vaccinated. (Photo courtesy of 3-172nd Infantry (Mountain))

June 28, 2021

Vaccination rates soar for deployed infantry battalion

SOUTHWEST ASIA — The Jericho, Vermont, based 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) surpasses the average COVID-19 vaccination rate while deployed.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Dearborn, a Vermont Army National Guard instructor at the Army Mountain Warfare School, is awarded the Soldier's Medal by Vermont Governor Phil Scott on June 18, 2021 at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont. Between Feb. 28-March 1, 2020, Dearborn assisted with the rescue of two individuals at the Stowe Mountain ski area. One the military’s highest honors, the medal is awarded only for acts of heroism not involving conflict with an armed enemy. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua T. Cohen)

June 22, 2021

Vermont Guardsman Receives Soldier’s Medal for 2020 rescue

JERICHO, Vermont — On Feb. 29, 2020, Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Dearborn, a Vermont National Guard instructor at the Army Mountain Warfare School, responded to an emergency call from State Police to assist in the rescue of two skiers lost at night, in deteriorating weather near the Stowe Mountain ski area.

U.S. Army Spc. Vasek Cervenka, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Garrison Support Command, Vermont National Guard, competing in the 12.5 KM Pursuit Race at the 2021 Junior World Championships in Obertilliach, Austria, March 3, 2021. Cervenka hopes to compete in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, China.

June 10, 2021

Vermont National Guard biathletes eye 2022 Beijing Olympics

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Three Vermont National Guard biathletes are training hard in anticipation of attending the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. If selected, VTARNG members will make up 37 percent of the U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team.The event

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jordan Snow, a musician with the Vermont Army National Guard's 40th Army Band, practices drumming at Camp Johnson, Vermont, June 7, 2021. Snow took part in the State's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Josh Cohen)

June 8, 2021

40th Army Band Guardsman recalls COVID-19 activations

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Staff Sgt. Jordan Snow, a musician with the Vermont Army National Guard’s 40th Army Band, signed up with expectation of continuing his military career as an M-Day Solider: one weekend each month, two weeks per year.The onset

U.S. Army Spc. Caylen De Los Reyes, an 11B Infantry Soldier assigned to 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont National Guard, moving through an obstacle during the French Desert Commando Course in Djibouti May 16, 2021.

June 4, 2021

Vermont National Guard Solider completes French Desert Commando Course

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — According to Spc. Caylen De Los Reyes, successfully completing the French Desert Commando Course not only improved individual readiness, the demanding training also helped the Vermont Guardsman prepare for the U.S. Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection course. 

Soldiers assigned to Headquarters Company, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, salute during their deployment ceremony at Camp Ethan Allen Firing Range, Jericho, Vermont, May 14, 2021. Family and friends gathered to support the Soldiers during the ceremony. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua T. Cohen)

June 3, 2021

Deployment ceremonies signal end of 2021 departures

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont Army National Guard conducted three deployment ceremonies in Mid-May marking completion of the departure of approximately 950 Soldiers to overseas locations in support of U.S. Europe, U.S. Africa and U.S. Central

Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont's adjutant general, gives opening remarks during a press conference May 27, 2021. Knight, along with Lt. Gov. Molly Gray (right) and Lindsay Kurrle (left), Vermont's secretary of commerce and community development, will spend several days in North Macedonia discussing expansion of the current State Partnership Program to include economic development opportunities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

May 28, 2021

Vermont seeks to build upon partnership with North Macedonia

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the state adjutant general, will travel to North Macedonia May 29, accompanied by Vermont Lt. Gov. Molly Gray and Lindsay Kurrle, the state secretary of commerce and community development, to discuss how the state might build upon the existing State Partnership Program into economic areas.

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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