Articles
A couple of Italian host nation employees with Army Field Support Battalion-Africa conduct inventory of basic issue items at the equipment configuration and hand-off area in Komotini, Greece, during DEFENDER 25, May 19. The 405th Army Field Support Brigade’s AFSBn-Africa deployed a team from Leghorn Army Depot, Italy, to Komotini for DEFENDER 25. There, the team is receiving over 700 Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 tactical vehicles and major end items from multiple APS-2 sites, including Leghorn and sites in Germany and the Netherlands, and issuing the APS gear to Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) deployed to Europe for DEFENDER 25.

May 19, 2025

Infantry APS-2 set, more issued to Vermont Army National Guard in Greece for DEFENDER 25

KOMOTINI, Greece — When the Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers touched down in Greece at 1 a.m. May 18 for DEFENDER 25, they were traveling light. The Soldiers from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) were carrying a couple of bags each – the typical allotted baggage allowance most commercial airline companies permit. While these National Guard Soldiers are designated as light infantry, that’s taking light to the extreme. But that’s because all the vehicles, equipment items and everything they need for DEFENDER 25 was already on the ground in Komotini at an equipment configuration and hand-off area (ECHA) established and operated by Army Field Support Battalion-Africa (AFSBn-Africa).

Vermont Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the adjutant general of Vermont, salutes Col. Michael Blair after taking command of the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing from Col. Daniel Finnegan, outgoing commander of the 158th, during a change of command ceremony

May 3, 2025

158th FW Welcomes New Commander

Col. Michael Blair assumed command of the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing during a change of command ceremony on May 3 at 1:00 p.m.

U.S. Air National Guard Airmen assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing return from deployment

April 22, 2025

Green Mountain Boys Return Home

Hundreds of Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing have returned home to Vermont following a months-long deployment to Kadena Air Base, Japan. Over the coming weeks, additional Airmen, equipment, and F-35 Lightning II aircraft will continue to arrive home as the deployment concludes.

U.S. Air National Guard Senior Airman Landon Potvin, an operations support specialist assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, pauses his duties to take an environmental portrait for an airman spotlight story

April 15, 2025

Service Beyond the Base

An Airman with the Vermont Air National Guard's Communications Squadron makes noise on the basketball court, mentoring the youth about skills essential on and off the court.

U.S. Army Soldiers compete in a patrol race at the Goms Nordic Center, in Geschinen, Switzerland

April 9, 2025

CISM 2025 World Winter Military Games

U.S. Army Soldiers from five different states represented the U.S. Armed Forces Sports team at the 2025 CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) Military World Winter Games hosted by the Swiss Military from March 23 to March 30 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Burns, an 11B Infantryman, 3-127nd A. Co. (MTN), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, mentally prepares for an alpine snowboard race at Titlis Mountain, Engelberg.

April 9, 2025

Soldier Spotlight: Spc. Robby Burns - Pro Snowboarder

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Burns assigned to 3-172nd A. Co., 86th Infantry Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, represented the U.S. Armed Forces Sports team at the 2025 CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) Military World Winter Games hosted by the Swiss Military from March 23 to March 30 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Palmer (left) and Spc. Eli Nielsen, Vermont National Guard, receives awards at the end of the Best Warrior Competition

April 6, 2025

Vermont Army National Guard Names 2025 Best Warriors at Ethan Allen Firing Range

The Vermont Army National Guard held its annual Best Warrior Competition at the Ethan Allen Firing Range April 5–6, 2025, challenging Soldiers and noncommissioned officers in a rigorous test of physical and mental readiness.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Eric L. Gagnon (incoming) and Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond J. Myers, Vermont Army National Guard, conducts a change of command ceremony.

April 5, 2025

Vermont Army National Guard Land Component Commander: COC & Brig. Gen. James M. Pabis Retirement

The Vermont Army National Guard’s Land Component Command welcomes a new general officer as Brig. Gen. James M. Pabis (retired) relinquishes command to Brig. Gen. Eric L. Gagnon during a change of command ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, at the Green Mountain Armory in Colchester, Vermont.

U.S. Army Col. Roger B. Zeigler, outgoing commander, 124th RTI, Vermont National Guard, passes the guide on at the 124th RTI Change of Command Ceremony at the 124th Regional Training Institute.

April 5, 2025

124th Regional Training Institute Change of Command

The 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) marked a significant leadership transition with a change of command ceremony held at Camp Johnson.

Photo of U.S. Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Sdankus, assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, standing in front of the Command Section building on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Japan, March 26, 2025.

April 3, 2025

Bridging Skies and Seas

The ocean churned beneath the incoming helicopters, their rotors slicing through the humid Pacific air. Special operations forces stood at the edge of open ramp doors, seconds from making their drop into the sea. This wasn’t just a drill; it was a test of their ability to execute under the most demanding conditions, where split-second decisions meant the difference between success and failure.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

TAG's State of the Guard - April 2025

The above YouTube video link may not work on all government computers. Read the transcript of MG Gregory Knight's full State of the Guard here.

Green Mountain Guard Newsletter Archive

National Guard News
Airmen from the 139th Security Forces Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard, conduct air base defense operations at Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range near Salina, Kansas, on May 18, 2025. More than 160 Airmen from five ANG units participated in Exercise Tinman 25, a large-scale readiness exercise designed to sharpen air base defense skills through realistic, 24-hour operations.
Air National Guard Defenders Tested in Exercise Tinman 25
By Michael Crane, | June 2, 2025
SMOKY HILL AIR NATIONAL GUARD RANGE, Kansas - A squad of security forces defenders moved carefully through the rugged terrain, scanning their surroundings as they advanced on a suspected threat. Embedded with them were two...
An HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter from Golf Co., 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion conducts a training mission May 31, 2023. The Black Hawk departed Bryant Army Airfield on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to complete aircrew qualification tasks medevac and hoist operations as well as basic flight maneuvers near Colony Glacier.
Alaska National Guardsmen Save Nine During Start of Rescue Season
By Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount, | June 2, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska– Alaska Air and Army National Guard units responded to five requests for assistance May 24-28, primarily in support of the Alaska State Troopers and local hospitals.The Alaska Army...
Staff Sgt Andrew Mach, assigned to 107th Attack Wing Security Forces Squadron,
New York Air Guard Security Forces Sharpen Heavy Weapons Skills
By Capt. Jason Carr, | June 2, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Twenty-five members of the New York Air National Guard’s 107th Attack Wing Security Forces Squadron honed their heavy weapons proficiency during annual qualification training held here May 16–22.The...
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