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Category: 86th IBCT (MTN)

Command Sgt. Maj. Melinda Crosby, incoming command sergeant major for the 186th Brigade Support Batallion, 86th Infantry Combat Team (Mountain), speaks with her son, Marcus, prior to the change of responsibility ceremony in Northfield, Vermont, Dec. 4, 2021. Crosby succeeds Command Sgt. Maj. Allen King, who is retiring after 38 years of service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

Dec. 23, 2021

Newest 186th command sergeant major seeks to grow Soldiers’ potential

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The newest command sergeant major for the 186th Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), might not have served beyond her first enlistment if not for a couple of non-commissioned officers who saw her potential and the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Now, Command Sgt. Maj. Melinda Crosby wants to help bring out the potential in the Soldiers in her unit.

U.S. Soldiers with the 172nd Cavalry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, provide security for a traffic control point, in Washington, D.C., Jan 23, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Denis Nuñez)

Dec. 17, 2021

The Vermont National Guard in 2021: Looking back on a busy year

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — In 2021 the Vermont National Guard fully engaged both federal and state missions. Overseas deployments and Joint Task Force Coyote, a critical component of the State’s response to the COVID-19, resulted in a high operational tempo, one not experienced in past years.

Col. Randall Gates presents his wife, Lou, with a certificate of appreciation during his retirement ceremony at Camp Johnson, Vermont, on Nov. 30, 2021. Gates, the Vermont National Guard's director of military support, served as an enlisted Soldier for 11 years and a commissioned officer for 27. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

Nov. 30, 2021

Vermont Guard bids farewell to director of military support

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Col. Randall Gates retired from the Vermont Army National Guard on Nov. 30, ending a 38-year military career. Prior to his retirement Gates was the Director of Military Support.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Vermont National Guard gathered to witness the Change of Command ceremony for the Command Chief Warrant Officer of The Vermont National Guard, in Colchester, Vermont, Nov 7, 2021. Outgoing Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Woodworth says farewell as he hands the reigns to incoming Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Beaulieu. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Denis Nuñez)

Nov. 19, 2021

Vermont Guard's senior chief warrant officer retires

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Chief Warrant Officer 5 James M. Woodworth will retire from the Vermont National Guard on Nov. 23, after more than 40 years of service.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Vermont National Guard gathered to witness the change of responsibility ceremony for the Vermont National Guard command chief warrant officer in Colchester, Vermont, Nov 7, 2021. Outgoing Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Woodworth said farewell as he handed the reigns to incoming Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Beaulieu. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Denis Nuñez)

Nov. 12, 2021

New command chief warrant officer appointed for Vermont National Guard

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Beaulieu succeeded Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Woodworth as the Vermont National Guard’s command chief warrant officer in a change of responsibility ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters here Nov. 7, 2021.

The Vermont National Guard sent a contingency of five soldiers along with Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, to France celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I. Each state that had National Guard representation in World War I were invited back to France to celebrate the anniversary. National Guardsmen visited monuments, cemeteries, villages, battle sites, trenches, museums, and attended ceremonies as part of their visit. The Center for Military History provided guides throughout the trip.

Nov. 10, 2021

On Veterans Day, 572nd Soldiers recognize Rutlanders' contributions

RUTLAND NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY, Vermont — As the nation marks Veterans Day, the 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion of the Vermont Army National Guard would like to pay special respects to the Rutlanders who answered the call of duty in what came to be called “the war to end all wars.”

U.S. Army Soldiers of the Vermont National Guard who served with the 2nd Marine Division in Iraq's Al Anbar Province between 2005-2006 were authorized to display the 2nd Marine Division unit insignia on their uniforms. Nov. 10, 2021, marks the Marine Corps' 246th birthday.

Nov. 10, 2021

Vermont Guard reflects on Marine Corps’ 246th birthday

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Each year on Nov. 10 the United States Marine Corps celebrates the day in 1775 when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing two battalions of Marines as a landing force for the recently formed Continental Navy. This year marks 246 years of Marine Corps service to the nation.

Soldiers with Task Force Avalanche, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain), receive mailed donations in Southwest Asia in September. The task force has been deployed since March and had a small contingent in Afghanistan during Operation Allies Refuge. (Army National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Nathan Rivard)

Oct. 26, 2021

Task Force Avalanche Soldiers receive mailed donations

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Soldiers with Task Force Avalanche, 3rd Battalion, 172 Infantry Regiment (Mountain), added mail room duties to their assignments throughout the month of September.

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.

This image contains cropped photos of Vermont and Austria mountain ranges, with blended Vermont and Austrian flags, to represent the newly announced State Partnership Program initiative between Vermont and Austria, announced by the Defense Department Oct. 15, 2021. (Vermont Army National Guard photo illustration by Marcus Tracy)

Oct. 15, 2021

Vermont National Guard to add Austria as third State Partner

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont National Guard will welcome the Republic of Austria as the third member of their State Partnership Program.

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
A team of Air Transportation Specialists assigned to the 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor, Maine, unloads cargo from a KC-135 Stratotanker, June 3, 2026. The team, reinforced by augmentees from multiple units, have efficiently processed critical mission-impaired capability awaiting parts items, or MICAPs; morale pallets; and essential supplies bound for U.S. Central Command. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair.
Maine Air Guard Moves Cargo, Passengers for Operation Epic Fury
By Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair, | June 4, 2026
BANGOR, Maine – Air Transportation Function Airmen with the Maine National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing, supported by tenant unit partners, have moved more than 747,000 pounds of cargo and assisted 312 passengers since...
Members of the Finnish Air Force and the 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, collaborate during exercise Smoked Reindeer April 20, 2026, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. The bilateral exercise served as a capstone event to certify Finnish cyber teams in accordance with U.S. Air Force Cyber Protection Team standards, strengthening the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program between the Virginia National Guard and Finland. Photo by Staff Sgt. Kellyann Elish.
Virginia Guard, Finnish Air Force Strengthen Cyber Partnership
By Staff Sgt. Kellyann Elish, | June 4, 2026
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – Members of the 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, and the Finnish Air Force gathered this spring for Exercise Smoked Reindeer 2026 to strengthen...
Air National Guard Security Forces defenders participate in near-ambush reaction training, instructed by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Counter Threat Home Station Training Team, at Fort Benning, Georgia, May 12, 2026. During the two-week training event, Air National Guard defenders from Massachusetts, New York, Minnesota, Arizona and Kansas participated in a multi-day opposing force academy and enhanced air base ground defense tactics, techniques and procedures under austere and constrained field conditions during the U.S. Army’s 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment certification exercise. Photo by Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy.
Air Guard Defenders Enhance Skills During Ranger Exercise
By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy, | June 4, 2026
FORT BENNING, Ga. – Air National Guard Security Forces defenders enhanced air base ground defense tactics, techniques and procedures under austere, constrained field conditions during the U.S. Army’s 3rd Battalion, 75th...
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