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Category: 86th IBCT (MTN)

The Vermont National Guard has a new substance abuse prevention coordinator. In January 2022 John Brutzman was hired for the position. Brutzman is also an M-Day Solider with six years in service. Brutzman works at the Vt. Guard Behavioral Health Office at Camp Johnson. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua Cohen)

May 4, 2022

Meet Vt. Guard’s new substance abuse prevention coordinator

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Eliminating the stigma around seeking mental health services is a goal for John Brutzman, the Vermont Guard’s new substance abuse prevention coordinator. “When I started this job, I would often hear that a solider could get trouble for seeking psychological health services, it’s just not the case, and I would like to see that stigma eradicated,” he said.

U.S. Army Sgt. Avah Eaton, a paralegal specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, takes part in an inner-perimeter security patrol Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, March 2021. While deployed, Eaton served as battalion paralegal and took on additional human resource specialist tasks to assist the unit. (courtesy photo)

April 12, 2022

Vermont Soldier describes career path as 'a good unexpected'

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — For U.S. Army Sgt. Avah Eaton joining the Vermont Army National Guard brought many unexpected results. Among them, included applying for and accepting an offer to serve full-time in a human resources capacity with 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain). Recently returning from a deployment to Southwest Asia, Eaton reenlisted when offered the Active Guard Reserve position.

U.S. Army Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 172 Infantry (Mountain) Headquarters Company and C Company, Vermont National Guard, conduct mountain training with Royal Saudi Land Forces Special Forces at the RSLF Mountain Warfare School in Saudi Arabia. Between October and November 2021, approximately 70 U.S. Army Soldiers attended the training. (Courtesy photo)

April 1, 2022

Vermont Guard Soldiers hone mountain skills with Saudi Arabian Special Forces

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — For the first time, a conventional U.S. Army National Guard unit conducted training with Royal Saudi Land Forces Special Forces Instructors at the Royal Saudi Land Forces Mountain Warfare School.

Soldiers from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, set up their bivouac site in the Arctic Circle, March 3, 2014 during Guerrier Nordique extreme cold weather training in Canada.

March 18, 2022

Vermont Guardsmen take part in combined extreme cold weather exercise in Canada

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — A small group of Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers made a cold and wintery trek into the Canadian wilderness starting at the end of February.

U.S. Army Spc. Timothy Clark, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment Mountain, Maneuver Battalion, Kosovo Force Regional Command-East, patrols near Gate 1 Jarinje in Kosovo, Feb. 3, 2022. Commanders use scout data to inform decisions and plan future missions which support a safe and secure environment for all people of Kosovo.

March 14, 2022

86th IBCT (MTN) completes KFOR mission

FORT BLISS, Texas — The 29th U.S. deployment to Kosovo Force (KFOR) is at an end, and with it comes reflection and a glance at what is next. For the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), the sky is the limit.

National Guard Soldiers from the Minnesota-based 34th Infantry Division pack a U.S. Air Force-operated C-17 in August following the completion of their mission in Kabul, Afghanistan. Deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, about 400 Soldiers from 34th ID were temporarily relocated to Kabul, Afghanistan, and have since arrived safely in Kuwait, where they are assigned. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Charles Anderson)

March 10, 2022

12 Days in August: Vermont Guardsmen reflect on Operation Allies Refuge

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — When Spc. Ryan Moon and Spc. Riley Benoit deployed to Southwest Asia with Task Force Avalanche, the mortarmen did not anticipate a 12-day mission in Afghanistan, taking part in the evacuation of thousands as part of Operation Allies Refuge.

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.”

The District of Columbia National Guard will help U.S. Capitol and D.C. police at traffic control points in the nation's capital during anticipated First Amendment protests in February and March 2022. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III approved the assistance of up to 400 DCNG members and 300 Guard members from outside the District of Columbia.

Feb. 23, 2022

National Guard to back law enforcement at DC demonstrations

WASHINGTON — As many as 700 members of the National Guard will be available to help local law enforcement during First Amendment demonstrations expected in the nation’s capital.Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III approved requests from

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Avalanche of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, return home from deployment, in South Burlington, Vermont, Dec 9, 2021. Family, friends, and colleagues were present to greet the Soldiers as they arrived. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Denis Nuñez)

Feb. 16, 2022

Adjutant general issues biannual update: Feb. 2022

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the state adjutant general, released the Vermont National Guard's legislative update on Feb. 14.

U.S Army Spc. Deedra Irwin, 86th Troop Command, finishes strong on the ruck portion during the Vermont best warrior competition. at Ethan Allen Firing Range, April 10, 2021.Spc. Deedra Irwin, the Vermont National Guard's Soldier of the Year, placed seventh in the U.S. Olympic Biathlon's women's 15k individual race in February 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Devin Nuñez)

Feb. 9, 2022

VTNG leaders discuss hot topics in Facebook live town hall

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Vermont National Guard senior leaders answered questions related to mental health treatment and education benefits and discussed updates within the Guard during a Facebook Live town hall event Feb. 8.

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National Guard News

Maj. Gen. Matthew P. Beevers, the acting adjutant general of the California National Guard, pins the rank of brigadier general to Brig. Gen. Marlena A. DeCelle's uniform at her promotion ceremony in Sacramento, California, Jan. 26, 2023.

Cal Guard’s 1st Filipino General Officer Promotes to One Star

By Amanda H. Johnson, | March 31, 2023

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Okinawa armory floor was crowded with uniformed personnel and people. Excited conversations echoed between the walls as all waited in anticipation for the ceremony to begin.A row of five flags...

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Cody Hallas, 133rd Contingency Response Team, builds an Igloo in Crystal City, Canada. Hallas attended a five-day field training exercise during the Canadian Air Operations Survival training course.

Minnesota Guardsmen Train in Canadian Arctic

By Tech. Sgt. Amy Lovren, | March 30, 2023

RESOLUTE BAY, Canada - Two members of the Minnesota Air National Guard’s 133rd Contingency Response Team (CRT) flew to Resolute Bay to train with the Canadian military on Arctic air operations survival.U.S. Air Force Chief...

Master Sgt. Christopher Sehy, a recruiter with the Utah Army National Guard, embraces his wife, Crystal, as he receives the Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award from Maj. Gen. John Andonie, left, deputy director of the Army National Guard, during the Director’s Strength Maintenance Awards and Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 23, 2023. The conference brings together Army Guard recruiting team chiefs and the top Army Guard recruiters for training sessions and networking opportunities to tackle the challenges of recruiting.

Army Guard Conference Highlights Recruiting Tips, Challenges

By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy, | March 30, 2023

NEW ORLEANS – Seven Soldiers stood on stage at the award ceremony, waiting to hear who had taken top honors. A drum roll built suspense in the darkened room as audience members shifted in their seats. The drumming reached a...

Warrant Officer Catherine Trujillo, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation, in a UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopter at Army Aviation Sustainment Facility, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., March 28, 2023.

Washington National Guard Pilot Fulfills Dream to Fly

By Joseph Siemandel, | March 30, 2023

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Catherine Trujillo had always dreamed of flying helicopters. At the age of 35, she thought she had missed her chance.“Along the way in life, I put my family ahead of my career. But when my youngest...

Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, pins the Alaska Heroism Medal on Cpl. Bruce Boolowon, the only surviving member of the June 22, 1955, rescue team March 28, 2023, in Gambell, Alaska. The Alaska Heroism Medal is the state’s highest award for valor during peacetime.

Alaska Army Guard ‘First Scouts’ Honored for 1955 Rescue

By Alan Brown and Balinda ONeal, | March 30, 2023

GAMBELL, Alaska – On June 22, 1955, two Russian MiG-15s from Siberia shot down a U.S. Navy P2V-5 Neptune plane flying a routine maritime patrol from Kodiak out over the Bering Sea. After it crashed in flames on St. Lawrence...