Articles
Group photo of representatives from North Macedonia’s Protection and Rescue Directorate (PRD), Ministry of Interior (MOI), Ministry of Defence (MOD), and U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) personnel from the Vermont Air National Guard, standing together with partners from the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation in North Macedonia.

March 20, 2026

Disarming Danger: VTANG EOD's Dual Mission

Vermont Air National Guard Base — When a suspicious bazooka round turns up in a Vermont garage or a decades-old artillery round is uncovered at a construction site overseas, Master Sgt. Andrew Borgens and his team are often the ones called to respond. Borgens serves as the 158th Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight chief with the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing, where he leads Airmen charged with protecting people and property from explosive hazards. “The easiest definition would be that we’re in charge of protection of personnel and property when it comes to explosive hazards,” Borgens said.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Henry Harder Jr., Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard, gives a speech during a change of command ceremony at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, March 7, 2026. The ceremony represents the seamless transition of leadership from one commanding officer to another, signifying the trust to lead and guide, ensuring success in fufilling their mission. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jana Somero)

March 8, 2026

Maj. Gen. Henry Harder Jr. takes command of Vermont National Guard

Maj. Gen. Henry Harder Jr. took command of the Vermont National Guard, relieving Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, at the 158th Fighter Wing in South Burlington, Vt., on March 7.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, administers the oath to U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel Finnegan at the Vermont Air National Guard Base in South Burlington, Vermont, Dec. 30, 2025. Finnegan will assume the role of Air National Guard advisor to 1st Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Raymond LaChance)

Jan. 22, 2026

Former 158th Fighter Wing Commander Promoted to Brigadier General

U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel P. Finnegan was promoted to the rank of brigadier general, marking a significant milestone in a career spanning more than three decades of service to the United States Air Force, the Vermont National Guard, and the Nation.

U.S. Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Isis Edwards, a paralegal assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, tells her story about attending college while serving as a drill status Guardsmen in South Burlington, VT, December 9, 2025. Edwards joined the Vermont Air National Guard in 2023 and has been pursuing a degree in Studies in War and Peace at Norwich University. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Raymond LaChance)

Dec. 9, 2025

Military Service Builds Career Readiness

Airman 1st Class Isis Edwards is originally from Manchester, Connecticut, and is a drill status Guardsman at the Vermont Air National Guard. She joined the VTANG in 2023 at the age of 19 and is currently working in the Judge Advocate General's office, providing legal assistance for her fellow Airmen.

A Vermont Air National Guard hangar, assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, sits below Mount Mansfield after sunset in South Burlington, Vermont, Nov. 19, 2025. The 158th Fighter Wing conducted flying operations that evening. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Raymond LaChance)

Oct. 17, 2025

Update: Night Flying at the 158th Fighter Wing Extended

The Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing will conduct night flying operations Tuesday, Oct. 21, through Friday, Oct. 24, then again on Tuesday, Oct. 28, through Thursday, Oct. 30, and lastly on Nov. 4 through Nov. 6.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Vermont National Guard, run in the Vermont Remembers Run 2025 with community members at Camp Johnson.

Sept. 9, 2025

Vermont National Guard hosts Vermont Remembers Run 2025

Community members, Soldiers, and families gathered at Camp Johnson to participate in the annual Vermont Remembers Run, a 5K road race and walk held Sept. 6 in Colchester.

A F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron of the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing sits out on the flightline of the Vermont Air National Guard Base.

Sept. 8, 2025

158th Fighter Wing Conducts Essential Night Flying Training

The Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing will conduct night flying operations from Tuesday, Sept. 9, to Friday, Sept. 12, and again from Tuesday, Sept. 16, to Friday, Sept. 19.

More than 6,000 visitors explore the Vermont National Guard Open House at the Vermont Air National Guard Base.

Sept. 7, 2025

More than 6,000 Attend Vermont National Guard Open House

More than 6,000 visitors streamed through the gates of the Vermont Air National Guard base for the 2025 Vermont National Guard Open House, experiencing firsthand the aircraft, equipment, and people behind the mission.

More than 6,000 visitors showed up to an open house hosted by the Vermont Air and Army National Guard, where military aviation, equipment, vehicles, munitions and flight simulators were on display, along with a career fair, musical performances and police dog demonstrations.

Sept. 5, 2025

See more than a Dozen Aircraft at VTNG Open house

The Vermont National Guard confirms that multiple military and civilian aircraft and vehicles will be featured on static display at the upcoming Open House on Sunday, Sept. 7. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore all aircraft along with the VTANG’s own F-35A Lightning II.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, the adjutant general of Vermont, presents the guidon of the Vermont Air National Guard to U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Shevchik Jr.

Aug. 1, 2025

VTANG Welcomes New Leadership

The Vermont Air National Guard had a significant transition of leadership during a change of command ceremony at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont, as Brig. Gen. David Shevchik Jr. assumed command as the Assistant Adjutant General, Air, succeeding Brig. Gen. Henry Harder Jr. on August 1, 2025.

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
Airmen from the 146th Airlift Wing, 152nd Airlift Wing and the 302nd Airlift Wing train alongside CAL FIRE ground crews during their annual Modular Airborne Firefighting System, or MAFFS, recertification training at McClellan Air Tanker Base, Sacramento, Calif., April 20, 2026. The MAFFS is a roll on and off system that enables a military C-130 aircraft to become a firefighting air tanker that can spread thousands of gallons of fire retardant, aiding ground crews to supress wildfires. The training ensures that aircrews and support personnel remain qualified to operate the MAFFS system and fly into hazardous fire areas at any time of year. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michelle Ulber.
California Guard Conducts Training Ahead of Wildfire Season
By Tech. Sgt. Michelle Ulber, | April 22, 2026
McCLELLAN AIR TANKER STATION, SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Airmen with the 146th Airlift Wing began their annual Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, recertification and training April 20, in preparation to support aerial...
Exercise Cope Thunder 26-1 participants pose for a group photo after the opening ceremony at Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 6, 2026. Cope Thunder provides a unique platform to integrate U.S. and Philippine Air Forces and enhance interoperability through bilateral fighter training, subject matter expert exchanges and key leadership engagements. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan Garner.
US, Philippine Airmen Strengthen Partnership in Cope Thunder
By Staff Sgt. Jordan Garner, | April 22, 2026
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines – U.S. Pacific Air Forces and Philippine Air Force members participated April 6-17 in Exercise Cope Thunder 26-1, aimed at strengthening partnerships and supporting the Philippine Air Force’s...
Two Oklahoma National Guardsmen replace a drone’s battery during Exercise Lightning Strike at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, April 15, 2026. The Oklahoma National Guard, in partnership with Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, hosted Exercise Lightning Strike, a domestic exercise scenario of an EF5 tornado. At the center of the exercise is the integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) across various scenarios, enabling real-time data sharing, improved situational awareness and more effective coordination among participating agencies. Exercise Lightning Strike brings together a wide range of agencies to operate within a shared framework, reinforcing the Guard’s role in supporting civil authorities during domestic incidents and natural disasters. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah)
Oklahoma Guard Hosts Exercise Lightning Strike
By Sgt. Dannielle Rayon, | April 22, 2026
MUSKOGEE, Okla. – The Oklahoma National Guard, in partnership with the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, recently hosted Exercise Lightning Strike, a domestic training exercise using drones to respond to a simulated...
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