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Category: COVID-19 Response

Lt. Col. Chris Gookin receives an Order of Military Medical Merit award from Col. George Horsley, Massachusetts Army National Guard state surgeon, at Camp Johnson, Vermont, on Aug. 4, 2022. Gookin was cited for his accomplishments in establishing 98 percent medical readiness for the Vermont Army National Guard and for his work with state partners Senegal and North Macedonia. (courtesy photo)

Aug. 29, 2022

Vermont deputy state surgeon receives Order of Military Medical Merit

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The former deputy state surgeon for the Vermont Army National Guard’s Medical Readiness Detachment received the Order of Military Medical Merit in August.

A group photo of the 15th Civil Support Team, Vermont National Guard, and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear battalion from the North Macedonia Army during a State Partnership Program engagement in Colchester, Vt., June 6-11, 2022. The engagement focused on working with civil authorities in the event of a disaster.

June 29, 2022

15th Civil Support Team Hosts State Partnership Program Engagement

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont National Guard’s 15th Civil Support Team hosted six Soldiers from North Macedonia for civil support training at Camp Johnson in Colchester, June 6 -11th. The North Macedonia Army soldiers were from a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Battalion and came to Vermont to conduct exercises with the Vermont National Guard’s 15th CST.

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.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Nardo, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, injects James Bordeaux with a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Johnson, Vermont, March 18, 2021. The Vermont National Guard has begun offering vaccination to Vermont residents in support of the Vermont Department of Health. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Marcus Tracy)

Nov. 17, 2021

JTF Coyote begins pediatric COVID-19 clinics as adult booster vaccination numbers increase

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — The Vermont National Guard now supports the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccinations for youth in the 5 to 11 age group and booster clinics for the general adult population.

Army Sgt. Lisa Kromer displays a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Doubletree Hotel in Burlington, Vermont, March 3, 2021. Kromer is part of the Vermont National Guard's Task Force Coyote, which recently transitioned from offering COVID testing to providing vaccinations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Josh Cohen)

Oct. 6, 2021

Joint Task Force Coyote continues COVID-19 vaccination clinics

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Recently extended until Dec. 31, the Vermont National Guard’s support to the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues. According to Maj. Daniel Dykeman, officer in charge of the Guard’s COVID joint task force, “JTF Coyote is currently occupied conducting vaccination clinics to meet the needs of the State of Vermont.”

Man speaks from podium.

Aug. 9, 2021

Biden to approve Austin's request to make COVID-19 vaccine mandatory

WASHINGTON — By mid-September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will request a waiver from President Joe Biden to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for service members, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said. 

Army 1st Lt. Joan Emerson of Charlie Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, records the hospital beds that are part of each medical pod at the Alternate Healthcare Facility in Essex, Vermont, on April 7th, 2020. The Vermont National Guard is working with the state of Vermont and emergency partners in a whole-of-government effort to flatten the curve during the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Cpl. Gillian McCreedy)

July 29, 2021

Voluntary COVID mapping task force concludes operations

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — In the early winter of 2020, Vermont Governor Phil Scott tasked the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont National Guard with mapping the spread of COVID-19 across the state.

Col. William Wagner (center) accepts the guidon for the 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) from Brig. Gen. James Pabis (left) during the 124th RTI's change-of-command ceremony March 6, 2021, at Camp Johnson, Vermont. The 124th RTI is home to the Army Mountain Warfare School, Information Operations Battalion, Officer Candidate Scchool, and the Basic Leaders Course. Also pictured is Command Sgt. Maj. John Digby III (right), the 124th RTI command sergeant major. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

July 7, 2021

New commander details 124th RTI's pandemic responses

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Operations at the Vermont National Guard’s 124th Regional Training Institute are gradually returning to the pre-COVID normal according to the Institute’s newly appointed commander, Col. William Wagner.

Lt Col. Matthew Wignall, battalion commander, stands with Col. Ricky Kue, battalion surgeon, both with 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Task Force Avalanche, during a site visit in Southwest Asia. The 3-172 IN (MTN) has reached 87 percent of its deployed force being COVID-19 vaccinated. (Photo courtesy of 3-172nd Infantry (Mountain))

June 28, 2021

Vaccination rates soar for deployed infantry battalion

SOUTHWEST ASIA — The Jericho, Vermont, based 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) surpasses the average COVID-19 vaccination rate while deployed.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jordan Snow, a musician with the Vermont Army National Guard's 40th Army Band, practices drumming at Camp Johnson, Vermont, June 7, 2021. Snow took part in the State's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Josh Cohen)

June 8, 2021

40th Army Band Guardsman recalls COVID-19 activations

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Staff Sgt. Jordan Snow, a musician with the Vermont Army National Guard’s 40th Army Band, signed up with expectation of continuing his military career as an M-Day Solider: one weekend each month, two weeks per year.The onset

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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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