Articles
U.S. Army Soldiers compete in a patrol race at the Goms Nordic Center, in Geschinen, Switzerland

April 9, 2025

CISM 2025 World Winter Military Games

U.S. Army Soldiers from five different states represented the U.S. Armed Forces Sports team at the 2025 CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) Military World Winter Games hosted by the Swiss Military from March 23 to March 30 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Burns, an 11B Infantryman, 3-127nd A. Co. (MTN), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, mentally prepares for an alpine snowboard race at Titlis Mountain, Engelberg.

April 9, 2025

Soldier Spotlight: Spc. Robby Burns - Pro Snowboarder

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Burns assigned to 3-172nd A. Co., 86th Infantry Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, represented the U.S. Armed Forces Sports team at the 2025 CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) Military World Winter Games hosted by the Swiss Military from March 23 to March 30 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Palmer (left) and Spc. Eli Nielsen, Vermont National Guard, receives awards at the end of the Best Warrior Competition

April 6, 2025

Vermont Army National Guard Names 2025 Best Warriors at Ethan Allen Firing Range

The Vermont Army National Guard held its annual Best Warrior Competition at the Ethan Allen Firing Range April 5–6, 2025, challenging Soldiers and noncommissioned officers in a rigorous test of physical and mental readiness.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Eric L. Gagnon (incoming) and Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond J. Myers, Vermont Army National Guard, conducts a change of command ceremony.

April 5, 2025

Vermont Army National Guard Land Component Commander: COC & Brig. Gen. James M. Pabis Retirement

The Vermont Army National Guard’s Land Component Command welcomes a new general officer as Brig. Gen. James M. Pabis (retired) relinquishes command to Brig. Gen. Eric L. Gagnon during a change of command ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, at the Green Mountain Armory in Colchester, Vermont.

U.S. Army Col. Roger B. Zeigler, outgoing commander, 124th RTI, Vermont National Guard, passes the guide on at the 124th RTI Change of Command Ceremony at the 124th Regional Training Institute.

April 5, 2025

124th Regional Training Institute Change of Command

The 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) marked a significant leadership transition with a change of command ceremony held at Camp Johnson.

Photo of U.S. Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Sdankus, assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, standing in front of the Command Section building on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Japan, March 26, 2025.

April 3, 2025

Bridging Skies and Seas

The ocean churned beneath the incoming helicopters, their rotors slicing through the humid Pacific air. Special operations forces stood at the edge of open ramp doors, seconds from making their drop into the sea. This wasn’t just a drill; it was a test of their ability to execute under the most demanding conditions, where split-second decisions meant the difference between success and failure.

U.S. Army Spc. Caleb Hunter, Maine National Guard, leads team U.S.A. with the flag over his shoulder during the opening ceremony of the CISM 2025 World Winter Military Games

March 24, 2025

U.S. Winter Team arrive to CISM World Games 2025 in Switzerland

The 2025 Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (CISM) will be held in Switzerland this year. The United States team arrived for the World Military Games where they will compete in a slew of winter games that range from nordic to alpine skiing, biathlon, and climbing.

Photo of, From left: Japan Air Self Defense Force Capt. Nakanishi, U.S. Air Force Lt. Mike Watson and Royal Australian Air Force FLTLT Ryan pose for a photo in front of an F-35A Lightning II on the flight-line for exercise Cope North 2025 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 19, 2025.

March 7, 2025

Cope North 25 Strengthens Trilateral Airpower and Interoperability

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE — For the first time, F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Japan, the United States, and Australia conducted trilateral training operations, enhancing joint capabilities and interoperability. Representing the United States’ fifth-generation fighter presence, the Vermont Air National Guard’s 134th Fighter Squadron deployed a portion of its fleet for the exercise.

U.S. Army Sgt. David Coburn (Ret), Vermont National Guard holds two photos of his time as a heavy equipment operator in Vietnam.

March 7, 2025

Hardwick Native Reflects on Service from Vietnam to Vermont

For retired Army Sergeant David Coburn, service has always been a part of life—whether on foreign soil, in the hills of Vermont, or at home as a dedicated firefighter.

Staff Sgt. Noah Lukan, a Cyber Communications specialist assigned to the 148th Communications Squadron, 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, participated in a cold-water immersion as part of the Air National Guard's cold weather operations course at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minn., Feb. 7, 2025. Students participated in a six-day, five-night Field Training Exercise where they traveled on foot in subzero temperatures, using land navigational skills, to build camps featuring either a 10-man Arctic tent or thermal shelters made from materials found in nature. Students were comprised of mostly Security Forces specialists, but also included a Maintenance Group Commander, Physician Assistant, Cyber Communications Specialist, and a Public Affairs Specialist. The course taught service members to conduct mission-essential tasking in extreme cold environments.

Feb. 11, 2025

Air National Guard Conducts Arctic Training in Minnesota

CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. — 70 Air National Guard airmen gathered at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minn., from Jan. 27 to Feb. 8, 2025, to train and conduct mission-essential tasks in extremely cold temperatures, during the Air National Guard’s Cold Weather Operations Course (CWOC).

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
The guidon bearer for 643rd Military Police Company, Connecticut National Guard, poses for a photo with his family after returning from deployment at Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Connecticut, July 11, 2026. At their welcome home ceremony, a large crowd of families and friends gathered at the base’s flight line so they could greet their returning Soldiers as soon as they disembarked their aircraft. Photo by Staff Sgt. William Griffen.
Connecticut Guardsmen Return From US Southern Command Deployment
By Timothy Koster, | July 13, 2026
EAST GRANBY, Conn. – About 100 soldiers assigned to the Connecticut Army National Guard’s 643rd Military Police Company returned home at Bradley Air National Guard Base July 11, after being deployed for nearly a year to the...
A U.S. Air Force C-130 sourced by the Washington National Guard lands on Angaur Airstrip, Palau, June 25, 2026 as part of exercise Alupang ACE. Conducted under Exercise Valiant Shield, the collaboration between the Government of Palau, the U.S. Embassy, the Washington and the Guam National Guards demonstrated both the expeditionary sustainment capabilities of the Joint Force and the commitment of our Allies and Partners toward a free and open Indo-Pacific. Photo by Tech Sgt. Christian Brecht.
Guam, Washington Enhance Readiness With Palau Partners
By Mark Scott, | July 13, 2026
BARRIGADA, Guam – Guardsmen from the Guam National Guard and the Washington National Guard recently conducted Exercise Alupang ACE in support of Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 in Palau as part of Guam’s partnership with that...
Surrogate targets created by a collaboration between the Oregon National Guard's 173rd Fighter Wing and Klamath Community College personnel are placed in the Kingsley Field range, May 29, 2026, in Oregon. The targets simulate various adversary missile systems to help train current and future pilots' recognition and strategy techniques. Courtesy photo.
Innovation Partnership Strengthens Oregon Guard F-35 Pilot Readiness
By Master Sgt. Daniel Reed, | July 13, 2026
KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. – An innovative partnership between the Oregon National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing and Klamath Community College is strengthening F-35 pilot readiness by producing realistic threat surrogates for the...
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