News & Press Releases For The Vermont National Guard

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Category: Diversity & Inclusion

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

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.

U.S. Army Sgt. Ashley Weatherwalks, B Troop 1-172nd Cavalry, 86th IBCT (MTN), Vermont National Guard, takes part of the Arctic team in Nunavut, Canada, March 13, 2024.

March 29, 2024

Sgt. Ashley Weatherwalks: Pioneering a Path in the Vermont National Guard

Vermont National Guard — As Women's History Month draws to a close, the Vermont National Guard takes a moment to spotlight Sgt. Ashley Weatherwalks. Originating from Florida, Massachusetts, Weatherwalks is the first female Soldier in Blackjack Troop out of Bennington, Vermont, and the first female U.S. Soldier to accomplish an iteration of the Arctic exercise, Guerrier Nordique.

Photo of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Juan J. Coleman, 158th Fighter Wing traffic management specialist, holding a photograph of his great-great-great grandfather, Rev. Joe Berry Powell, at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, Feb. 21, 2024.

Feb. 22, 2024

Vermont Airman Reflects on Heritage

Vermont Air National Guard Base — Rev. Joe Berry Powell was born into slavery in Edgecome County, North Carolina in 1853. More than 170 years later, his great-great-great grandson serves in the Vermont Air National Guard.   

Photo of Service members and civilians serving food and drinks from around the world during a multicultural event at the Vermont National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont.

Nov. 17, 2023

Vermont Guard Hosts 4th Annual Multicultural Event

Vermont Air National Guard Base — The Vermont National Guard gathered together over drill weekend to celebrate the 4th annual multicultural event, November 5th, at the 158th Fighter Wing.

Aug. 15, 2023

Vermont National Guard Adjutant General Wins Excellence in Diversity Award

CAMP JOHNSON, Vt. — Vermont National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight was selected as recipient for the Fiscal Year 2022 Individual Army National Guard – National Guard Excellence in Diversity Award.

Photo of the newest member of the 158th Fighter Wing, Airman Libass Mbengue, being sworn into the Vermont Air National Guard by Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard, Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont May 18, 2023.

May 23, 2023

Vermont National Guard welcomes Senegalese recruit

Vermont Air National Guard Base — The Vermont Air National Guard officially welcomed Libass Mbengue into its ranks during an enlistment ceremony, here, May 18.

A photo of 1st Lt. Kelsey Flannery, an F-35A Lightning II pilot assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron of the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing, returns from a training mission from South Burlington Air National Guard Base, Vermont, Sept. 7, 2022. Flannery, who is the Air National Guard's first female F-35 pilot, made her first flight with the 158th after returning from three years of flight training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ryan Campbell)

Sept. 8, 2022

Air Guard’s 1st female F-35 Pilot completes inaugural flight

Vermont Air National Guard — Three years of training led to one very important day. Taking off over the mountains of Vermont, history is made at 20,000 feet. The 158th Fighter Wing has been no stranger to making history. In 2019, it was the first wing in the Air National Guard to receive the F-35A Lightning II. As the only wing in the Guard to fly a fifth generation fighter, the Airmen have continuously made their mark including recently completing the first overseas Guard deployment of the F-35. Now, the latest chapter of Green Mountain Boys history has been written.

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.

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.

National Guard News

High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site instructors and staff brief Charlie Duke, NASA astronaut, before a training flight July 8, 2024, in Gypsum, Colorado. Duke was one of 12 astronauts to walk on the moon during NASA’s Apollo missions. NASA is partnering with HAATS to apply rotary wing skills to lunar landing operations in support of the Artemis mission set.

NASA Apollo, Artemis Missions Cross Paths at Colorado Guard Site

By Capt. Remington Henderson, | July 26, 2024

GYPSUM, Colo. - The Colorado National Guard’s High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site hosted Charlie Duke, one of only 12 NASA astronauts to have walked on the moon, July 8.HAATS, based in Gypsum, Colorado,...

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft performs a low pass over Malacky Air Base, Slovakia, July 22, 2024. The aircraft were flown by U.S. Air Force pilots and were the first F-16s to be delivered from Lockheed Martin to Slovakia.

Indiana Guard Helps Deliver F-16s to Slovak Partners

By Indiana Air National Guard | July 26, 2024

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Two F-16 Fighting Falcons piloted by U.S. Air Force Col. Eduardo Castaneda, 122nd Fighter Wing, and Capt. Sean Williams, Defense Contract Management Agency in Greenville, South Carolina, landed at 8:10...

Two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighting Wing soar above St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, during exercise Caribbean Fox July 22, 2024. Caribbean Fox provides a dynamic training experience for the warfighter to maintain readiness to integrate, operate and dominate air superiority across the full spectrum of conflict.

South Carolina Air Guard Showcases ACE Concepts

By 2nd Lt. Nicole Szews, | July 26, 2024

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands - The South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing conducted Exercise Caribbean Fox at St. Croix July 16-24, focusing on mastering Agile Combat Employment concepts to prepare for any...