Articles
Results:
Category: 86th IBCT (MTN)

Aug. 29, 2022

186th BSB conducts annual training at Camp Dodge, Iowa

The Vermont Army National Guard’s 186th Brigade Support Battalion completed its annual training at the Army National Guard Sustainment Training Center (STC) at Camp Dodge, Iowa, July 31-Aug. 13.

Aug. 15, 2022

Vermont Guardsmen Demonstrate Readiness Under Stress

Vermont National Guard Soldiers navigated obstacles, completed fitness tasks and engaged targets during a live-fire exercise conducted by Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) on Aug. 13.

June 1, 2022

Vermont National Guard holds Memorial Day ceremony

On May 26, 2022, the VTNG held a Memorial Day ceremony at Camp Johnson in Colchester, Vermont. The occasion marked the second time the ceremony was conducted at the Fallen Hero’s Memorial’s new site, a location accessible to the public. In attendance, Vermont’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight was joined by Vermont’s Lt. Governor Molly Gray, Vermont Gold Star families, and veterans.

May 27, 2022

Vt. director of joint staff retires

The Vermont National Guard director of joint staff retired May 26, 2022, in a ceremony held at the Green Mountain Armory. Brig. Gen. David Manfredi served for 34 years both on active duty, with the 10th Mountain Division, and in the Army National Guard in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and for the past 17 years in the VTNG.

May 10, 2022

Vermont Guard to support training exercise Swift Response 22

More than 120 Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers will participate in training exercise Swift Response 22 in North Macedonia from May 11 to 17. Exercise Swift Response is an annual U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercise that takes place this year in Eastern Europe, the Arctic High North, Baltics, and Balkans from May 2-24.

May 4, 2022

Meet Vt. Guard’s new substance abuse prevention coordinator

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.

April 12, 2022

Vermont Soldier describes career path as 'a good unexpected'

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.

April 1, 2022

Vermont Guard Soldiers hone mountain skills with Saudi Arabian Special Forces

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.

March 18, 2022

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

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.

March 14, 2022

86th IBCT (MTN) completes KFOR mission

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.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

National Guard News
Representatives from all 54 states and territories participate in the 18th annual All-Hazards Coordination Workshop at the Higgins Hotel in New Orleans March 10-12, 2025. The workshop facilitates emergency preparedness.
Louisiana Guard Hosts All-Hazards Coordination Workshop
By Staff Sgt. David C. Kirtland, | March 14, 2025
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard hosted its 18th annual All-Hazards Coordination Workshop March 10-12, bringing togetherrepresentatives from all 54 states and territories to assess worst-case emergency scenarios,...

The 188th Wing participated in a combat readiness inspection exercise from Feb. 27 to March 2, 2025, at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas. Multiple personnel from the 188th Security Forces Squadron and the 188th Civil Engineer Squadron headed into the field on Day 2 of the exercise.
Arkansas Air Guard’s 188th Wing Readiness Validated
By Maj. Jennifer Gerhardt, | March 14, 2025
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – The 188th Wing demonstrated resilience and operational effectiveness during a weeklong combat readiness inspection.  The wing earned an “effective” rating in foundational readiness,...

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 156th Contingency Response Group, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, listen to instructions for tactical gear issue during the Mothball 2 Combat Readiness Exercise at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, March 7, 2025. The exercise measured  the 156th Wing’s ability to generate, employ and sustain contingency response capabilities in a war-fighting scenario.
Puerto Rico Air Guard Wing Conducts Combat Readiness Exercise
By Senior Airman Sharymel Montalvo Velez, | March 14, 2025
MUÑIZ AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Puerto Rico - U.S. Airmen assigned to the 156th Wing, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, conducted the Mothball 2 Combat Readiness Exercise March 6-9 at Carolina.The exercise measured the wing’s...