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 | July 1, 2025

Vermont National Guard Open House Returns This Fall with Expanded Parking, Military Exhibits, and Family Fun

By Lt. Col. Meghan Smith

The Vermont National Guard will host an Open House at the Vermont Air National Guard Base on Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This free, rain-or-shine event will feature an impressive lineup of military and civilian aircraft and vehicles, flight and driving simulators, exciting demonstrations, live music, food trucks, job and education fairs, and interactive exhibits from both the Army and Air National Guard.

“This Open House builds and strengthens community relationships, partnerships, and connections,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard. “We live and serve right here in Vermont. Opening our gates gives us the opportunity to connect with our neighbors, answer questions, and share the important work our Soldiers and Airmen do every day, both at home and around the world.”

New this year is a STEM Exploration Zone featuring hands-on displays, robotics, virtual reality, and flight simulators for future innovators of all ages. The event will also include an expanded Family Zone, complete with bounce houses, an inflatable obstacle course, games, nursing and changing stations, and covered eating and rest areas.

“We were honored to welcome more than 6,000 guests to our last Open House in 2022 and we're expecting a larger turnout this year,” said Col. Michael Blair, 158th Fighter Wing Commander. “This year we’ve expanded our parking, partnered with local law enforcement for improved traffic flow, and added even more exhibits to make this event bigger and better for families.”

Attendees can expect an F-35 flyby, working dog demonstration, military band performances, Norwich Silent Drill Team, a “jaws of life” demonstration and guided access to aircraft and vehicles, plus opportunities to meet the pilots, mechanics, medics, engineers, and other professionals who serve in the Vermont National Guard.

“This is more than just an Open House, it’s a celebration of service and way for us to say thank you to our supportive community,” said Blair. “We’re proud of what we do, and this is our chance to share that pride with Vermonters.”

Event Details

  • When: Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Where: Vermont Air National Guard Base, 80 Falcon St., South Burlington
  • Admission & Parking: Free
  • Rain or Shine: Covered seating, rest areas, and family accommodations (including nursing and changing stations) will be available. Some demonstrations are weather-dependent.
  • For Purchase: Various military-themed merchandise and delicious local food truck cuisine

For additional details visit www.airguardopenhouse.com, which will be updated regularly, and follow the “Vermont Guard Open House” event on the Vermont Air National Guard Facebook page. For specific questions please email 158FW.PA.PublicAffairs@us.af.mil.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard - April 2025

The above YouTube video link may not work on all government computers. Read the transcript of MG Gregory Knight's full State of the Guard here.

Green Mountain Guard Newsletter Archive

National Guard News
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Blayne Flickinger, a medical technician assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th medical group, takes the vitals of a local resident during the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program: Operations Healthy Tennessee at Rhea County Middle School, Evensville, Tenn., July 10, 2025. The IRT Program is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) initiative that provides real-world, hands-on training opportunities for military units while delivering critical services to American communities in need.
Ohio Guard Participates in Operation Healthy Tennessee 2025
By Staff Sgt. Sarah Stalder Lundgren, | July 16, 2025
EVENSVILLE, Tenn. - Ohio Air National Guard members arrived July 9 in Tennessee to participate in Operation Healthy Tennessee, an initiative that offers the public no-cost medical, dental, optometry, nutritional education,...
U.S. Army Soldiers, assigned to 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard, conduct civil disturbance operations (CDO) training at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, Calif., June 11, 2025. California Army National Guardsmen in their Title 10 duty status train for crowd control and de-escalation techniques in alignment with legal rules for using the appropriate level of force. U.S. Northern Command is supporting federal agencies by providing military forces to protect federal functions, personnel, and property in the greater Los Angeles area. On June 7, the Secretary of Defense directed USNORTHCOM to establish Task Force 51 to oversee Title 10 forces supporting this mission.
California Guard's 79th IBCT Activated as Brigade for First Time in History
By Staff Sgt. Amber Peck, | July 16, 2025
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – In a historic first, more than 2,000 Soldiers from the California Army National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were mobilized under Title 10 federal orders to support federal agencies in the...
A UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the New York National Guard's A Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, prepares to lift an M-119 howitzer belonging to the 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery during a training exercise at Fort Drum, New York, June 8, 2025. The 258th Field Artillery's C Battery will be part of a 246-Soldier New York Army National Guard contingent serving as the Opposing Force, or OPFOR, at the National Training Center from July 25 to August 3.
NY Army Guard Serves as Opposing Force at Training Center
By Eric Durr, | July 15, 2025
LATHAM, N.Y.  –  Two hundred forty-six New York Army National Guard Soldiers will go to Fort Irwin, California, the home of the Army’s National Training Center in the Mojave Desert, starting July 15.The Soldiers will serve...
More