An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Articles
News | Sept. 9, 2024

158FW Night Flying Operations

By Lt. Col. Meghan Smith 158th Fighter Wing

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Vermont Air National Guard will conduct night flying operations from Tuesday, September 10, to Thursday, September 12, and from Tuesday, September 17 to Wednesday, September 18 with one afternoon and one evening takeoff period per day. Flights are scheduled to conclude by 9:30 p.m.

“Training in diverse conditions is vital for our pilots,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Brian Lepine, 158th Fighter Wing Deputy Commander. “Night flying enhances our readiness and adaptability, ensuring that our team remains capable and effective in all operational environments.”

Night flying is a required and integral part of comprehensive pilot training. It ensures that personnel can operate effectively regardless of time of day or weather conditions, which is crucial for real-world scenarios.
“We appreciate the community’s understanding and support as we conduct this vital training,” Lepine said. “These night training exercises contribute significantly to maintaining our high operational standards and ensuring mission success.”

For more information, please contact Lt. Col. Meghan Smith, meghan.smith.5@us.af.mil

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. 

National Guard News
Spc. Jose Marfisi and Spc. Esteven Llopiz, assigned to the 714th Quartermaster Water Purification Company, secure a raw water intake pump during a Water Purification Rodeo at Lago Cerrillos, Ponce, Puerto Rico, July 24, 2026. The Soldiers positioned and secured the intake pump to ensure a continuous flow of raw water from the reservoir into the water purification system. The task is a critical step in establishing expeditionary water purification operations that provide safe, potable water in support of military operations and domestic emergency response missions. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Maldonado.
Puerto Rico Guard Distributes One Million Gallons of Water in Drought Response
By Siul Lopez Morales, | Aug. 28, 2026
CANOVANAS, Puerto Rico – The Puerto Rico National Guard has distributed more than 1 million gallons of water and purified more than 298,000 gallons of water through its Water Sentinels mission drought response, which focuses...

Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, Wisconsin Army National Guard, conduct medical evacuation hoist training with role players portraying simulated casualties at the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 24, 2026. Patriot 26, an Air National Guard-hosted exercise taking place at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, brings together about 1,000 Airmen and Soldiers from National Guard units across 35 states, along with federal, state and local agencies, to enhance domestic response readiness and interagency coordination during large-scale emergencies. The scenario allows aircrews to practice locating, hoisting and evacuating simulated patients from areas where terrain or other conditions may prevent an aircraft from landing. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Conley.
Guardsmen Boost Domestic Response Capabilities in Patriot 26
By Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Conley, | Aug. 28, 2026
FORT McCOY, Wis. – About 1,000 Airmen and Soldiers from National Guard units across 35 states are participating in Patriot 26 alongside federal, state and local agencies, strengthening their domestic response...

The Washington Army National Guard hosted the Construction Facilities Management Office 201 Resource Management Course, a three-day course in the Army National Guard G9’s national training program. Instruction focused on military
construction appropriations, cooperative agreements and budget execution strategies, providing financial specialists, facility managers and senior leaders from across the country with tools to effectively manage funding while remaining compliant with fiscal law. Photo by Peter Chang.
Washington Guard Strengthens Fiscal Readiness
By Peter Chang, | Aug. 27, 2026
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Financial specialists, facility managers and senior leaders from across the country gathered at the Aviation Readiness Center for the Construction Facilities Management Office 201 Resource...