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Category: State Partnership Program

June 4, 2025

Vermont Guard Soldiers prove lethality along NATO allies at Immediate Response 25

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard participated in a combined arms live-fire exercise, May 29-31, 2025, during Immediate Response 25.

June 1, 2025

Vermont National Guard cross-train U.S. infantrymen and Austrian Land Force personnel on various demolition techniques

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard cross-train U.S. infantrymen and Austrian Land Force personnel on various demolition techniques, June 1-3, 2025, during Immediate Response 25, a large-scale, joint exercise with NATO Allies and Partners at the Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, taking place May 26 to June 9, as part of DEFENDER 25, the U.S. Army’s premier large-scale deployment exercise in Europe.

June 8, 2024

Vermont National Guard Enhances Medical Readiness in Senegal: Kedougou: Part 3 of 3

In contrast to Tambacounda and Goudiri, the hospital in Kedougou is a relatively recent construction, equipped with more advanced medical facilities. Here, the Vermont National Guard focused on high-level medical training and the exchange of advanced techniques.

June 8, 2024

Vermont National Guard Enhances Medical Readiness in Senegal: Goudiri: Part 2 of 3

Goudiri presented similar challenges to Tambacounda, with limited medical infrastructure and resources. The Vermont National Guard team stationed there conducted intensive training sessions, emphasizing practical skills and resourceful problem-solving.

June 8, 2024

Vermont National Guard Enhances Medical Readiness in Senegal: Tambacounda: Part 1 of 3

The Vermont National Guard has embarked on a critical mission to enhance medical readiness in its ranks and in Senegal as part of MedRex (Medical Exercise 2024).

March 28, 2024

Burlington City Council Votes Unanimously to Establish Sister City Partnership with Thies-East, Senegal

In a landmark decision on Monday, March 25, 2024, the Burlington City Council voted unanimously to forge a sister city relationship with Thies-East, Senegal. This partnership marks a significant step in bolstering the cultural, academic, environmental, and commercial ties between Vermont and Senegal.

Jan. 25, 2024

Vermont National Guard and Austria forge ahead with new initiatives in the State Partnership Program

In a significant demonstration of support for the strengthening relationship between the Vermont National Guard and Austria, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, joined Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, The Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Tracy Poirier, Director of the Joint Staff, in key meetings with the Austrian Bundesheer leadership.

Oct. 5, 2023

North Macedonia hosts US-Adriatic Charter Conference

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont adjutant general, and leaders from seven other U.S. states joined their partner nation Chiefs of Defense (CHoD) for the 26th US-Adriatic Charter Chiefs of Defense Conference in Skopje, North Macedonia, on September 27.

Sept. 27, 2023

Vermont National Guard delegation visits North Macedonia

Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the Adjutant General for the Vermont National Guard, and a delegation of Vermonter Soldiers and Airmen kicked off their visit to North Macedonia at the U.S. Embassy and Ministry of Defense in Skopje on September 25.

Aug. 23, 2023

158th Fighter Wing Makes History in Austria

The Vermont Air National Guard made history as they arrived in Austria to celebrate the one year anniversary of their State Partnership Program agreement, which saw U.S. F-35s land in Austria for the first time on June 16, 2023.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard 2026

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National Guard News
Soldiers with the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Arizona National Guard, conduct helicopter bucket training and qualification in Picacho, Ariz., March 5, 2026. The training sharpens pilot and crew chief coordination while sustaining the unit’s readiness to respond to wildfires and support operations at home and abroad. Photo by Sgt. Samantha Hill.
Arizona Guard Helicopter Battalion Hones Wildfire Response Skills
By Sgt. Samantha Hill, | March 13, 2026
PICACHO, Ariz. – Soldiers with the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Arizona National Guard, participated in helicopter bucket training and qualification at Picacho Stage Field, Ariz., hosted March 5 by the Arizona...

Clackamas and Gresham firefighters prepare to work in a contaminated zone by donning protective chemical suits during response procedures in an Air Monitoring Exercise on Feb. 26, 2026, in Clackamas, Oregon. The training brought together partner agencies, including the Oregon National Guard CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERFP, and the Environmental Protection Agency, after an Oregon Emergency Response System notification, with a focus on technical decontamination response actions. This multi-agency exercise improved the synchronization of radio communications across all systems, allowing incident commanders to make informed decisions during real-world emergencies. Photo by John Hughel
Oregon Guard Specialized Team Boosts Chemical Leak Preparedness
By John Hughel, | March 13, 2026
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard's 102nd CBRN, or Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Defense Enhanced Response Force Package, also known as CERFP, participated in two recent regional training exercises...

Maj. Andriy Karpenko, UAS/C-UAS officer, Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program, discusses different UAS, or unmanned aerial systems, operating systems with police officers at the 2026 Tribal Police Leadership & Counterdrug Conference March 10, 2026, at the Thurston County Readiness Center, Tumwater, Wash. Photo by Joseph Siemandel.
Washington Guard Hosts Annual Tribal Police, Counterdrug Conference
By Joseph Siemandel, | March 13, 2026
TUMWATER, Wash. – With a focus on increasing public safety and reducing the availability of illegal drugs in Washington Tribes, the Washington National Guard’s Counterdrug Program held its annual Tribal Police Leadership &...