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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.

March 9, 2021

Revisiting the 2019 Women's Workshop

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Maj. Sarah Pahlete looks at the progress that the Vermont National Guard has made since the 2019 women's workshop and challenges that remain.

March 5, 2021

124th RTI to hold change of command

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont Army National Guard will host a virtual change of command ceremony for the 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) March 6 at 10 a.m.Col. William Wagner will assume command from Col. Tracey Poirier in the

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)

March 3, 2021

Task Force Coyote shifts from Covid-19 testing to vaccination

BURLINGTON, Vermont — The combined Vermont Air and Army National Guard group comprising Task Force Coyote transitioned March 3 from Covid-19 testing to providing vaccinations to the public.  

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris enters the inaugural platform at the start of the inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol building

Feb. 23, 2021

Up Close at the 59th Presidential Inauguration

WASHINGTON — Many of us came out of 2020 expecting 2021 would start to show a light at the end of the tunnel. However, within the first week of January things went horribly sideways.

Army backpack with 10th Mountain Patch sits in the snow with snowshoes lying on top.

Feb. 20, 2021

Mountain Legacy 21 - 10th Mountain Division Soldiers undergo specialized training in extreme winter environment

JERICHO, Vt. — An introduction to unique winter skill sets was provided to soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division from 18-20 Feb. at the Vermont Army National Guard Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vt.

Feb. 17, 2021

HR specialist brings love of languages to Vermont Guard

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Ines Eley, a newly hired human resources specialist at Camp Johnson, Vermont, brings a love of language to the Vermont National Guard.

Sgt. Kevin LaPierre receives his second dose of COVID-19 vaccine from Lt. Col. Sarah Davis Feb. 3, 2021, at Camp Johnson, Vermont. Recipients of the vaccines second dose commonly experience mild flu-like symptoms including soreness and mild fever. LaPierre is a fueler with the Vermont National Guard's 186th Brigade Support Battalion. Davis is a registered nurse and the officer in charge of immunizations for the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Medical Group. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

Feb. 5, 2021

Vermont Guard delivers 2nd vaccine doses, prepares for town hall Q&A

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Medics with the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Medical Group delivered first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Johnson, Vermont, Feb. 3 while answering questions and dispelling rumors and conspiracy theories.

Mr. Brannon Soter stands for a portrait at the 158th Fighter Wing fire department.

Feb. 2, 2021

158th Fighter Wing welcomes 1st civilian fire chief

Vermont Air National Guard — In November 2020, Brannon Soter was welcomed as the first civilian, “Title 5” fire chief in the history of the fire department at the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard.

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
An Idaho Army National Guard UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crew conducts water bucket training near Lucky Peak Reservoir May 20, 2026. Idaho National Guard aviation crews conducted the training alongside Idaho Department of Lands personnel May 19-20 in preparation for the 2026 fire season. The Idaho Department of Lands experts employed reflective panels to simulate active fires and communicated with Army National Guard pilots to maximize the efficiency of each 530-gallon bucket of water dropped. In addition to the fleet of Black Hawks and crews standing by to support seasonal wildland firefighting efforts, Orchard Fire and Emergency Services is providing initial and refresher Wildland Firefighter 2 training to Idaho National Guard members. To date, more than 250 Idaho Guardsmen have completed the qualification course, ensuring they are ready to work fire lines in support ground operations. Photo by Mike Freeman.
Idaho Guard Trains for Wildfire Response
By Mike Freeman, | June 1, 2026
BOISE, Idaho – Idaho National Guard aviation crews conducted water bucket training alongside Idaho Department of Lands personnel May 19-20 in preparation for the 2026 fire season.The Idaho Department of Lands experts employed...
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Company B, 148th Brigade Support Battalion, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, conduct preliminary marksmanship instruction with an M240B machine gun during the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team annual training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 30, 2026. Soldiers assigned to the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct annual training to sharpen warfighting skills and strengthen unit readiness through realistic, mission-focused training. This training period reinforces the brigade’s commitment to developing capable leaders, building cohesive teams and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Photo by Sgt. Jacob Tucker.
Georgia Guard Brigade Strengthens Readiness, Warfighting Skills
By Spc. Ayanna Tillman, | June 1, 2026
FORT STEWART, Ga. – The 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, comprising more than 4,000 Soldiers across the Georgia Army National Guard, is conducting annual training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, as the brigade prepares for its...
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Hawaiʻi National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Enhanced Response Force Package assist the city and county of Honolulu first responders in search and recovery efforts during flood impacted zones in Waialua, Hawaiʻi, March 21, 2026. Gov. Josh Green activated the Hawaiʻi National Guard to assist in recovery efforts following record rainfall and flash flooding caused by a Kona Low weather system. Photo by Spc. Daniel Barcenas.
Hawaiʻi Guard Concludes Statewide Storm Response
By Rachel Blaire, | June 1, 2026
OAHU, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi National Guard concluded a multi-month, statewide response at the end of May after supporting communities affected by a series of powerful Kona Low storms and severe weather events in March and...
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