VT Guard News

Joint operation Center Displacement training, Vigilant Guard 2016
August 1, 2016 — U.S. Soldiers and Airmen with the Vermont National Guard moved their Joint Operations Center (JOC) for a training exercise simulating a state emergency during Vigilant Guard 2016, from Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., to the Army Aviation Flight Facility, South Burlington, Vt., Aug. 1. Training is imperative to ensure readiness that in the case of a real state emergency. ... MORE

Rescuers train in small spaces
July 30, 2016 — The Massachusetts Search and Extraction Team, part of the New England National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP), rescued a simulated casualty from the bottom of the well during Vigilant Guard 2016 at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., July 30, 2016. The team was participating in a Vigilant Guard Exercise that provides an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military, and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events.... MORE

Bridge Collapse Training Exercise
July 29, 2016 — Soldiers with the 250th Engineers Company, Connecticut National Guard, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) came together for a simulated bridge collapse exercise, Berlin, Vt., July 29, 2016. This training provided an opportunity for both groups to gain knowledge, while bringing together two entities who don’t often get to train together as a group. ... MORE

Distinguished visitors observe Vigilant Guard 2016
July 29, 2016 — Distinguished visitors from many different countries, states and territories visited Vermont to observe the ongoing events during Vigilant Guard 2016, July 29, 2016. Vigilant Guard is a national level emergency response exercise, sponsored by the National Guard and NORTHCOM, which provides National Guard units an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military, and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events.... MORE

Search and Rescue
July 29, 2016 — A simulated earthquake shook Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., July 29, 2016 as part of Vigilant Guard 2016. This resulted in several downed trees, as well as collapsed bridges and buildings, with individuals and simulated casualties located throughout the scenario. The scenario was set up to test title 10 forces, state, federal and local agencies, emergency responders and nine states with National Guard units.... MORE

Security Forces remain vigilant
July 29, 2016 — The Vermont National Guard Force Protection, the Vermont State Guard and Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 86th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 86th Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, provides security during Vigilant Guard 2016. This exercise runs from July 22, 2016, to August 2, 2016. Vigilant Guard is a national level emergency response exercise, sponsored by the National Guard and NORTHCOM, which provides National Guard units an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military, and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events.... MORE

High-intensity training during vigilant guard 2016
July 28, 2016 — When training to respond to an emergency, high intensity hands-on training is imperative to improve skills. A simulated building collapse surrounded by broken concrete included casualty actors, crushed and overturned vehicles, 185-pound mannequins with realistic-like injuries, and various other placed obstacles create an intense learning environment at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt, July 28, 2016. This training was planned not only for the Vermont National Guard, but civilian entities and military units from various states. This scenario is just one of many planned to take place during Vigilant Guard 2016. ... MORE

New England CBRNE trains during Vigilant Guard 2016
July 28, 2016 — The New England National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) began their mission on Range 3-1 at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site (CEATS), Jericho, Vt., July 28, 2016 as part of Vigilant Guard 2016. This CERFP consists of Army National Guard Soldiers in partnership with the Air National Guard.... MORE

Vermont National Guard Soldiers provide site support
July 28, 2016 — The 86th Brigade Special Troops Battalion provided support for Vigilant Guard 2016, a training exercise for National Guard units, Title 10 forces, state, federal and local agencies across Vermont for Vigilant Guard 2016, July 28. The unit acted as site supports for exercise lanes at Camp Johnson and Camp Ethan Allen Training Site to facilitate the training of personnel in a realistic environment.... MORE

FEMA Taskforce 1 Urban Search and Rescue participates in Vigilant Guard 2016
July 27, 2016 — Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Massachusetts Taskforce 1 Urban Search and Rescue, in-processed for Vigilant Guard 2016 at the Cram Dining facility, Camp Ethan Allen Training Site (CEATS), Jericho, Vt., July 27, 2016. Vigilant Guard 2016 has approximately 5000 participants from nine States National Guard units, title ten forces and state, federal and local agencies. ... MORE