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The commander of Kosovo Force (KFOR), Italian Maj. Gen. Franco Federici, welcomes the U.S. Army's 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) as they assume responsibility for Regional Command East, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, June 19. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Alvarez)

July 11, 2021

Vermont Soldiers arrive in Kosovo

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — Greetings from Kosovo! After spending about two weeks at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Soldiers mainly from the Vermont National Guard once again packed up and moved out! We give a huge ‘thank you!’ to the full-time staff at JMRC for all their help preparing us for our mission in Kosovo. As we took the beautiful bus ride back to Nuremberg, Germany, we realized we were ready to fly to Pristina, Kosovo for our Kosovo Force (KFOR) 29 mission.

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

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National Guard News
N.Y. Air National Guard Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., package a “patient,” an advanced medical simulation dummy, for transport at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, May 5, 2022. The combat medics of the 106th Medical Group participated in their first military facility annual training since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
106th Medical Group gets hands-on training in Alaska
By Staff Sgt. Daniel Farrell, | May 19, 2022
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA - Thirty-four New York Air National Guard Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing Medical Group trained in Alaska alongside their Active Air Force counterparts May 1-15.The Airmen traveled...
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jilayne Michelsen, a command post controllerassigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing, shares the story of her darkest hours, her mental health diagnosis and overcoming the stigma of seeking help. Michelsen hopes her story will help others know they are not alone and will seek help when needed.
A matter of life or death: seeking help for mental health
By Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker, | May 19, 2022
SWANTON, Ohio – “I was highly suicidal and I told my husband that if he didn’t take me to the hospital, I wasn’t going to continue to live.”For Tech. Sgt. Jilayne Michelsen, assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter...
The Alaska Air National Guard, 168th Wing, generated combat readiness training as the lead tanker task force refueling Red Flag-Alaska 22-1 April 28 to May 13. The wing provided combat interoperability opportunities to approximately 2,200 service members from three nations, maintaining and supporting more than 90 aircraft and over 25 units.
Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing refuels Red Flag
By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | May 19, 2022
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – There is no need to stop for gas when the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing delivers. Airmen of the 168th Wing led a tanker task force refueling Red Flag-Alaska 22-1, enabling joint and...
Five of the 135 Soldiers of the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Alabama National Guard, hold their birthday cards for the last known surviving Tuskegee Airman, Sgt. Victor Butler, who turns 100 May 21, 2022. Left to right, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Lynd, Lt. Col. Joel Traweek, Sgt. 1st Class Willie Vandiver, Capt. Jeremy Barrett, and Sgt. 1st Class Carnard McCalpine.
Deployed Guard unit honors Tuskegee Airman on 100th birthday
By Capt. Joshua Sik, | May 18, 2022
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Sgt. Victor Butler, the last known surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen, celebrates his 100th birthday May 21. His only request was for birthday cards, and the Alabama National Guard’s 135th...
Brig. Gen. Dan Kuwali of the Malawi Defense Force with Kentucky National Guard Cols. Jason Shepherd and Joyce Gordon April 22, 2022, in Frankfort, Ky. Kuwali was invited by the pair to speak to Kentucky National Guard’s staff judge advocates about the opportunities for the United States to use soft power in Africa to balance China's engagements on the continent.
Malawi Defense Force JAG visits Kentucky National Guard
By Sgt. Jessica Elbouab, | May 17, 2022
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Soldiers with the Kentucky National Guard’s legal team hosted Brig. Gen. Dan Kuwali of the Malawi Defense Force for a two-day visit that included a tour of the Kentucky State Capitol and presentations to...
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