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Category: Meet Your Guard

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson, a combat medic assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, Vermont National Guard, sits in the cabin of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua Cohen)

March 3, 2022

Soldier Spotlight: Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — When Staff Sgt. Claire Johnson, a combat medic, joined the New York Army National Guard, she did not anticipate the course her military career would take. “I originally enlisted in the New York Army National Guard when I was 17, right out of high school,” Johnson explained. “My dad was in the military, so he always pushed me in that direction, I never really knew I wanted to be in the Army, I knew I wanted to be in the medical field first.”

Pfc. Eli Nielsen, a Black Hawk helicopter mechanic assigned to Detachment 2, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, Vermont National Guard, inspects an aircraft interior at the Army Aviation Support Facility, South Burlington, Vermont, on Oct. 12, 2021. Nielsen is also a member of the Vermont National Guard Biathlon Team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua T. Cohen)

Oct. 21, 2021

Biathlon opportunities attract Washington native

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont — Serving in a dual capacity, Pfc. Eli Nielsen’s days are fully occupied. An M-Day, 15 Tango, Black Hawk helicopter maintainer with Detachment 2, Charlie Company 1st Battalion 224th Aviation Regiment, Nielsen is also a member of the Guard’s Biathlon team.

Photograph

Sept. 28, 2018

Meet Your Guard: SMSgt Jonathan Brownell

South Burlington, Vt. — This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Essex Junction resident Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Brownell, logistics readiness superintendent with the 158th Fighter Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard.

Meet Your Guard Photo

Sept. 28, 2018

Meet Your Guard: CMSgt Brian Senecal

South Burlington, Vt. — This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Milton resident Chief Master Sgt. Brian Senecal, the superintendent of the 158th Fighter Wing Operations Group, Vermont Air National Guard.

Firefighting Photograph

Sept. 28, 2018

Meet Your Guard: TSgt Christopher Brown

South Burlington, Vt. — This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Colchester resident Tech. Sgt. Christopher Brown, leader of a fire protection team with the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard

Soldiers hiking down Jay Peak, Vermont in snow.

Aug. 31, 2018

Meet Your Guard: Maj. Matthew Wignall

CAMP ETHAN ALLEN TRAINING SITE, Vt. — This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Essex resident Maj. Matthew Wignall, brigade operations officer, Headquarters, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard.

Basic Training Photo

Aug. 24, 2018

Meet Your Guard: Officer Candidate Dylan Gates

CAMP JOHNSON, Vt — This edition of Meet Your Guard highlights Colchester resident Officer Candidate Dylan Gates, an officer candidate with 2nd Modular Training Battlaion,124th Regional Training Institute.

Promotion

Aug. 24, 2018

Meet Your Guard: Lt. Col. Doran Metzger

CAMP JOHNSON, Vt. — This edition of Meet Your Guard focuses on Milton resident, Lt. Col. Doran Metzger, aeromedical evacuations officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard.

Official Photo

June 20, 2018

Meet Your Guard: CCE Robert Letourneau

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — This edition of Meet Your Guard focuses on Essex Junction resident, Command Chief Master Sgt. Robert T. Letourneau, Vermont State Command Chief, Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard.

Photograph

June 20, 2018

Meet Your Guard: Tech. Sgt. Matt Dykas

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — This edition of Meet your Guard focuses on Tech. Sgt. Matt Dykas, a Colchester native and low observable aircraft structural maintenance specialist with the 158th Fighter Wing.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard 2026

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Green Mountain Guard Newsletter Archive

National Guard News
An Idaho Army National Guard UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crew conducts water bucket training near Lucky Peak Reservoir May 20, 2026. Idaho National Guard aviation crews conducted the training alongside Idaho Department of Lands personnel May 19-20 in preparation for the 2026 fire season. The Idaho Department of Lands experts employed reflective panels to simulate active fires and communicated with Army National Guard pilots to maximize the efficiency of each 530-gallon bucket of water dropped. In addition to the fleet of Black Hawks and crews standing by to support seasonal wildland firefighting efforts, Orchard Fire and Emergency Services is providing initial and refresher Wildland Firefighter 2 training to Idaho National Guard members. To date, more than 250 Idaho Guardsmen have completed the qualification course, ensuring they are ready to work fire lines in support ground operations. Photo by Mike Freeman.
Idaho Guard Trains for Wildfire Response
By Mike Freeman, | June 1, 2026
BOISE, Idaho – Idaho National Guard aviation crews conducted water bucket training alongside Idaho Department of Lands personnel May 19-20 in preparation for the 2026 fire season.The Idaho Department of Lands experts employed...
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Company B, 148th Brigade Support Battalion, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, conduct preliminary marksmanship instruction with an M240B machine gun during the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team annual training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 30, 2026. Soldiers assigned to the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct annual training to sharpen warfighting skills and strengthen unit readiness through realistic, mission-focused training. This training period reinforces the brigade’s commitment to developing capable leaders, building cohesive teams and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Photo by Sgt. Jacob Tucker.
Georgia Guard Brigade Strengthens Readiness, Warfighting Skills
By Spc. Ayanna Tillman, | June 1, 2026
FORT STEWART, Ga. – The 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, comprising more than 4,000 Soldiers across the Georgia Army National Guard, is conducting annual training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, as the brigade prepares for its...
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Hawaiʻi National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Enhanced Response Force Package assist the city and county of Honolulu first responders in search and recovery efforts during flood impacted zones in Waialua, Hawaiʻi, March 21, 2026. Gov. Josh Green activated the Hawaiʻi National Guard to assist in recovery efforts following record rainfall and flash flooding caused by a Kona Low weather system. Photo by Spc. Daniel Barcenas.
Hawaiʻi Guard Concludes Statewide Storm Response
By Rachel Blaire, | June 1, 2026
OAHU, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi National Guard concluded a multi-month, statewide response at the end of May after supporting communities affected by a series of powerful Kona Low storms and severe weather events in March and...
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