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Category: 158th Fighter Wing

A photo of Kristina Von Trapp, granddaughter of Maria Von Trapp; Capt. Kelsey "Ice" Flannery, an F-35 pilot with the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing; Klaudia Tanner, Minister of Defense of Austria; Victoria Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador to Austria; Capt. Melanie “MACH” Kluesner, F-35 Demo Team pilot; Command Chief Master Sgt. Jillian Rolla, Vermont state command chief; meeting at one of the 158th's F-35A Lightning IIs on display during Airpower, the largest air show in Europe, Hinterstoisser Air Base, Zetlweg, Austria, Sept. 6, 2024.

Oct. 3, 2024

Vermont Returns to Austria for AIRPOWER24 and Maple Tiger

With four F-35A Lightning IIs flying through the Austrian mountains, the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing returned to Austria for a second year of training with the Austrian and Swiss air forces.

An F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing

Sept. 10, 2024

Airpower for Great Power Competition

The term great power competition is increasingly being used to describe the current global strategic landscape facing the United States and its allies. This paper examines the implications of that landscape for airpower.

An F-35A Lightning II pilot assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, prepares to depart during a routine night training mission

Sept. 9, 2024

158FW Night Flying Operations

The Vermont Air National Guard will conduct night flying operations from Tuesday, September 10, to Thursday, September 12, and from Tuesday, September 17 to Wednesday, September 18 with one afternoon and one evening takeoff period per day. Flights are scheduled to conclude by 9:30 p.m.

F-35A Lightning II’s assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard line up prior to takeoff at the South Burlington Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont on March 2, 2024. The VTANG conducted air operations so that its pilots and ground crew can remain ready and proficient. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick Crosley)

Sept. 2, 2024

VTANG Trains in Austria

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — Airmen and F-35 Lightning II aircraft from the Vermont Air National Guard will depart for Austria in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Sept. 4, to participate in the Airpower Air Show and a multinational training exercise the following week.

An F-35A Lightning II departs from the Vermont Air National Guard base during a routine night training mission

July 19, 2024

Vermont Air National Guard Night Flying

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — The Vermont Air National Guard will conduct night flying from Tuesday, July 23, to Friday, July 26 with one afternoon and one evening takeoff period per day. Flights are scheduled to conclude by 11:15 p.m.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Justin Fischer, a fighter pilot with the Vermont Air National Guard, prepares to fly an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during an exercise at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 16, 2024.

May 23, 2024

VTANG Brings Lightning to the Storm

Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida — During the course of three weeks, more than 175 Airmen and a dozen F-35 Lighting IIs from Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing joined Airmen, Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors from across the country to participate in the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) and Checkered Flag exercises at Tyndall Air Base, Florida.

Photo of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Gerry (left), an armament systems loader at the 158th Fighter Wing, and her sister, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Laura Gerry, a munitions systems storage handler at the 158th Fighter Wing, standing together for a photo at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, April 8, 2024.

April 10, 2024

Sisters-in-Arms

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — Within the ranks of the United States military, sharing a last name is not all that uncommon, but for U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Gerry and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Laura Gerry, it's more than just a coincidence, that’s because the two are sisters.

Photo of U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, recovering a casualty during a simulated attack at Georgia Air National Guard Base, Savannah, Ga., Jan. 24, 2024.

Feb. 7, 2024

Vermont Airmen Test Agility During Multi-State Exercise

Savannah Air National Guard Base — Throughout the course of two weeks, nearly 260 personnel from the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing left the snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures of a New England winter and made their way to the sunshine and more moderate climes of northern Georgia.

Photo of Senior Airman Emily Sorrell, a Security Forces Defender assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, posing with her ‘amigurumi’ creations at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, October 11, 2023.

Nov. 8, 2023

Airman Knits Joy for Self and Others

Vermont Air National Guard Base — Senior Airman Emily Sorrell took a simple knitting hobby and created a rewarding side hustle by crafting mini creatures that she calls “plushies.” And she may have a common throat bacteria to thank for her success.

Photo of Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing prepare for the third day of the William Tell competition at the Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, Sept. 13, 2023. William Tell simulates real combat scenarios, challenging participants in air-to-air combat, aerial gunnery and air-to-ground targeting, including the combat and control aspects relating to participating aerial assets.

Sept. 22, 2023

Back with a Bang: Vermont F-35s to the Forefront at William Tell

Savannah Air National Guard Base — After nearly two decades, the skies over Savannah once again roared with the sound of competitive spirit as the Air Force's historic William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet made its triumphant return. Hosted at the Air Dominance Center from Sept. 11-15, 2023, this event showcased the prowess of the Air Force's finest, with a special spotlight on the 158th Fighter Wing.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard 2026

Note: the above YouTube video link may not work on all government computers. 

Green Mountain Guard Newsletter Archive

National Guard News
From left to right, U.S. Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau; U.S. Senator Richard Neal of Massachusetts; Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll; U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy; Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe; U.S. Army Maj. John Velis, Massachusetts senator for Hampden and Hampshire districts; and U.S. Air Force Col. Michael 'Shot' Glass, commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, pose for a group photo in front of an F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighter aircraft during a ceremony at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts, Sept. 13 2026. The official arrival of the F-35 to Barnes marks the culmination of a decade of effort, including work by military officials, Massachusetts state lawmakers, congressional committees and local civic partners. The 104th's new mission to provide lethal and ready airpower to combatant commanders anytime and anywhere carries forth the heritage of the National Guard first formed in Massachusetts more than 250 years ago – always ready, and by the sword. Photo by Airman 1st Class Ellen Ozkaptan.
Massachusetts Guard Welcomes Fifth‑Generation Fighter
By Airman 1st Class Ellen Ozkaptan, | Sept. 14, 2026
BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. – The Massachusetts National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing marked a milestone Sept. 13 when it officially welcomed the F‑35A Lightning II to Barnes Air National Guard Base with a...
U.S. Army Sgt. Jeffery Vernon with the Alabama National Guard, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia, or JTF-DC, in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, patrol at the Judiciary Circle in Washington, Sept. 10, 2026. About 3,100 National Guard members are supporting the mission, providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters and visitors throughout the District. Photo by Sgt. Katlynn Pickle.
Alabama Guard Helps De-Escalate Metro Station Confrontation
By Sgt. Katlynn Pickle, | Sept. 14, 2026
WASHINGTON – U.S. Soldiers with the Alabama National Guard, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia, or JTF-DC, in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, assisted Metro Transit Police Sept. 8 in de-escalating...
U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II aviators assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, conduct flight operations while responding to a simulated medical emergency during SAREX 2026 near Sitka, Alaska, April 16, 2026. SAREX 2026 was a search-and-rescue exercise conducted by U.S. Coast Guardsmen assigned to Sector Southeastern Alaska and U.S. Arctic out of USCG Air Station Sitka. Participants also included Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command, Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons, Air Force Reserve pararescuemen from the 304th Rescue Squadron out of Portland, Oregon, civilian search and rescue personnel with Sitka Search and Rescue, and volunteers from the National Park Service. The collaborative and realistic training drew on the participants’ varied backgrounds, experiences and practices, to enhance SAR proficiency and collective readiness when conducting life-saving missions along Alaska’s extensive and austere coast. Photo by Alejandro Pena.
Alaska Guard Rescues Pilots From Two Plane Crashes
By Maj. David Bedard, | Sept. 14, 2026
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued two pilots in two separate plane crashes Sept. 10.The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson...
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