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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. 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.

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.”

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.

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Soldiers with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, 86th Troop Command, Garrison Support Command, Vermont National Guard, performed hoist training with Black Hawk helicopters, Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont, Aug. 7, 2020.

Vermont Army Aviation Soldiers Ready for Overseas Mission

By Capt. Mikel Arcovitch, | Feb. 2, 2023

COLCHESTER, Vt. - Aviation Soldiers from Company C, 3-126 Army Aviation, 86th Troop Command, Garrison Support Command, Vermont Army National Guard, will conduct air ambulance missions across their area of responsibility.“This...

Capt. Anthony McClain, the Illinois National Guard director of diversity and inclusion, smiles for a portrait in front of the Illinois National Guard Joint Force Headquarters on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., Dec. 29, 2022. McClain strives to help the Guard achieve a more inclusive organizational culture.

Illinois Guard Diversity Leader Fosters Inclusive Culture

By Sgt. Trenton Fouche, | Feb. 2, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Fort Jackson in South Carolina was a long way from the south side of Chicago where Army Capt. Anthony McClain grew up. The intensity of basic combat training and drill sergeants yelling in his face didn’t...

A fighter aircraft integrated avionics specialist assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, prepares to install an AN/ASQ-236 radar pod Jan. 25, 2023. The 148th Fighter Wing has been designated as the Air National Guard’s Center for Excellence for all F-16 fighter aircraft.

Air Guard Updates 148th Fighter Wing F-16s with Radar Pods

By Audra Flanagan, | Feb. 1, 2023

DULUTH, Minn. – Subject matter experts from Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command, the Air National Guard, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Reserve Test Center and the 148th Fighter Wing exercised...

Tech. Sgt. Jerad Easterling, from the 172nd Operations Group, center, marshals a truck carrying medical personnel away from the tail of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft on Jan. 28, 2023, in Jackson, Mississippi. This was part of a large-scale readiness exercise to test the capabilities of Mississippi Air National Guard Airmen in a contested environment.

172nd Airlift Wing Conducts Readiness Exercise

By Airman 1st Class Shardae McAfee and Tech. Sgt. Vanessa Rivera, | Feb. 1, 2023

JACKSON, Miss. – Airmen from the 172nd Airlift Wing participated in large-scale readiness exercise Jan. 27-29, testing their ability to operate in a deployed environment under various threats.“The LRE is a comprehensive...

Attendees of the National Guard Arctic Interest Council observe the 133rd Contingency Response Flight, Minnesota Air National Guard, operating in extreme cold during the NG-AIC’s quarterly meeting at the Camp Ripley Training Center Jan. 25, 2023. The NG-AIC is a collaboration among states with arctic interests, capabilities, and resources to address the rapidly changing arctic environment.

National Guard Leaders Join Multi-state Arctic Event

By Balinda O’Neal, | Feb. 1, 2023

CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - In the Arctic, steel becomes brittle at -22 degrees Fahrenheit, continuous connectivity at the bandwidth needed for modern military operations lags, and more than 80% of Alaska communities are not...