Articles
Maj. Jack Skoda, assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, stands for a portrait with his family and daughter, Krystin, after she enlisted at the Vermont Air National Guard base

March 30, 2021

Vermont National Guard’s 'JEEP' sees dividends

Vermont Air National Guard — In October 2020, the Vermont National Guard announced to its members the implementation of a new Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (the “JEEP”) and welcomed its first eligible enlistment into their Air National Guard soon after.

Spc. Marisol Gameros, an avionics mechanic assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, prepares to go on shift to the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., Feb. 20, 2021. Gameros served in Washington from Jan. 24 to Feb. 21, 2021 as part of the Capitol Response mission, being assigned to the Vermont National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Campbell)

March 29, 2021

Bicultural, Bilingual, Proud: Soldier reflects on her dual heritage

WASHINGTON — Spc. Marisol Gameros, who was assigned to the Vermont National Guard at the Naval Observatory in D.C., was the first person in her family born in the United States. She returned with her family to Mexico six months after being born, to Tuxpan, Mayarit, the same town her parents had initially left.

The 158th Fire Department responded to a civilian aircraft fire on a runway of Burlington International Airport on the evening of March 24. (Courtesy photo)

March 29, 2021

Vermont Air National Guard responds to aircraft fire at Burlington International Airport

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont — The 158th Fire Department responded to a civilian aircraft fire on a runway of Burlington International Airport on the evening of March 24.

March 26, 2021

Vermont Guard leaders hold town hall to address residents’ questions

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Vermont National Guard leaders held a virtual town hall March 25 to address residents’ questions and concerns related to the 158th Fighter Wing’s F-35 Lightning II mission and a recent report of a Soldier who has not maintained the standard of conduct expected from members of the Guard.

March 24, 2021

Adjutant general, Vermont Guard leaders to hold town hall

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont's adjutant general, and other members of Vermont National Guard leadership will discuss and answer questions on a number of topics related to the Guard March 25 at 6 p.m.

Maj. Howard “Cash” Shaner, F-35A Lightning II pilot assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, prepares for launch at the Vermont Air National Guard base, South Burlington, Vermont, March 12, 2021. Shaner is the first ever Air National Guard F-35 pilot to graduate from the highly competitive U.S. Air Force Weapons School. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Mrs. Julie M. Paroline)

March 16, 2021

First ANG F-35 pilot graduates from USAF Weapons School

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont — Nationally recognized as the first Air National Guard unit to be tasked with the F-35A Lightning II mission, Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing now welcomes another title: home of the first ANG F-35 pilot to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

F-35 Lightning II Pilot Col. Nate Graber prepares for takeoff from Vermont Air National Guard Base in South Burlington, Vermont, May 22, 2020, as part of Operation America Strong, an Air Force effort to honor medical responders and essential workers. The Vermont ANG's 158th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office received numerous awards from the National Guard Bureau for its work covering the wing's F-35 mission. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Julie M. Shea)

March 12, 2021

158th FW recognized in National Guard Bureau 2020 Media Contest

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The 158th Fighter Wing received three first-place awards in the National Guard Bureau’s 2020 Contest, and Public Affairs Specialist Julie Paroline was named runner-up for Air National Guard communicator of the year, the Vermont adjutant general announced March 12.

New Airmen take their oaths of enlistment in a ceremony at Vermont Air National Guard Base Aug. 14, 2020. The Vermont Commission on Women spoke with Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Greg Knight and women leaders in the Vermont National Guard March 10, 2021, about what the Vermont Guard is doing to recruit and retain women within its ranks. Women comprise about 20 percent of the Vermont Air National Guard and 15 percent of the Vermont Army National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. J. Scott Detweiler)

March 12, 2021

Adjutant general, women leaders speak with Vermont Commission on Women

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Greg Knight and several women leaders within the Vermont National Guard spoke via teleconference with members of the Vermont Commission on Women March 10.

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson greets Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Stebbins during a visit to the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing in South Burlington, Vermont, Feb. 26, 2021. Hokanson, the National Guard Bureau chief, honored Vermont Soldiers and Airmen for their recent accomplishments during his visit to the Green Mountain State. Stebbins is the 158th FW command chief. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Mrs. Julie M. Paroline)

March 11, 2021

National Guard leader honors Soldiers, Airmen during visit

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Senior leaders with the National Guard Bureau in Washington recognized several Vermont National Guard Soldiers and Airmen for their accomplishments during a visit to the Green Mountain State Feb. 26.

Sgt. Christina Fontaine, with the Vermont National Guard’s medical detachment, poses for a photo at the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., Feb. 17, 2021. The National Guard has been requested to continue supporting federal law enforcement agencies with security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics and safety support to state, district and federal agencies through mid-March. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Horton)

March 10, 2021

Behavioral health specialist embeds with Soldiers and Airmen

WASHINGTON — For many, being in the National Guard is both an honor and a sacrifice. Balancing civilian careers, family life and missions that can arise on a moment's notice can be rather challenging. Maintaining mental health and wellness is an important part of the mission, especially for a Guardsman. The Vermont National Guard leadership ensured there was a mental health resource for the mission by sending a Soldier uniquely prepared to wear more than one hat of responsibility on duty.

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
Members of the 104th Fighter Wing actively participate in a Major Aircraft Response Exercise, or MARE, May 12-14, 2026, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts. The exercise incorporated personnel accountability, antiterrorism procedures, Force Protection Condition actions, active shooter response and Continuity of Operations drills, which provided a comprehensive test of the wing’s ability to respond to real-world threats and maintain mission continuity under pressure. Photo by Airman 1st Class Ellen Ozkaptan.
Massachusetts Airmen Sharpen Readiness During Major Aircraft Response Exercise
By Airman 1st Class Ellen Ozkaptan, | May 26, 2026
BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. – The Massachusetts National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing strengthened its crisis response capabilities during a Major Aircraft Response Exercise, or MARE, held May 11–14, testing Airmen...
Jane Horton poses next to Ty Dillon's No. 10 Chevrolet before the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, May 24, 2026. Dillon's race car carried the name of Horton's husband, Army Spc. Christopher David Horton, a sniper assigned to the Oklahoma Army National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who was killed Sept. 9, 2011, in Afghanistan. Courtesy photo.
National Guard Gold Star Spouse Turns Grief Into Advocacy
By Army Maj. Wes Shinego, | May 26, 2026
CONCORD, N.C. – The loudest place in American sports knew when to be quiet.At Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, the Coca-Cola 600 was everything it is supposed to be: horsepower, heat, noise and 600 miles of...
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Reuben Dominguez, 163d Regional Training Site superintendent, California Air National Guard, gives kudos to Airmen after operating a skid-steer successfully during a weeklong Rapid Damage Repair course at March Air Reserve Base, California, May 19, 2026. Airmen learn to execute full-scale crater repair procedures, beginning with debris removal and upheaval marking before progressing through excavation, backfilling, compaction and surface restoration. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julianne Sitterding.
California Guard Trains Airmen to Rapidly Repair Damaged Airfields
By Senior Master Sgt. Julianne Sitterding, | May 26, 2026
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. – Seven instructors assigned to the California National Guard’s 163d Regional Training Site train more than 1,000 Airmen annually through specialty courses such as Rapid Damage Repair, using...
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