News

Sept. 9, 2026

Green Mountain Boys Return Home

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — Airmen assigned to the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing returned home on Sept. 6, 2026, following an overseas deployment. The Airmen initially deployed in support of operations in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility before later transitioning to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Their return marks the conclusion of months of federal service away from their families, employers, and communities.

Sept. 9, 2026

Vermont Chaplain Makes Airmen His Mission

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — While the comfort of normalcy and routine can disguise your feelings, the Chaplain Corps is a unique group of individuals capable of affecting the hearts and minds of those to whom they provide counsel. The Vermont Air National Guard is fortunate enough to have a full-time chaplain, who is on-base every day bringing positive energy to Airmen. U.S. Air Force Capt. Nathan Piotrowski is the full-time chaplain at the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard. A Vermont native, Piotrowski grew up in Essex, Vermont, and began his military journey at the JROTC program at Essex High School.

Aug. 8, 2026

VTANG Welcomes New Command Chief

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Dickerson assumed responsibility as command chief of the 158th Fighter Wing during a ceremony at Vermont Air National Guard Base on Aug. 7, 2026.

June 26, 2026

Training with Fire

New London, N.C. — In an era where technology has transformed the way people learn, work, and connect, some skills are still best learned the old fashioned way: face to face and hands on. For firefighters assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, this meant traveling to North Carolina over the spring to train on live jet fuel fires. This training brought a level of realism many of them had never experienced before despite years of protecting aircraft at the Burlington International Airport and surrounding communities.

June 23, 2026

Locked and Loaded

Jericho, Vt. — Combat Arms Instructors from both the Vermont Air and Army Guard went down the line, confirming each weapon was on safe. Once all weapons were safely holstered, an instructor gave the green light to head down range to check shot placement and receive feedback.

May 25, 2026

158th Fighter Wing Family Continues Memorial Day Tradition During Deployment

Milton, Vt. — Every Memorial Day, the Milton Fire Station usually echoes with the voice of Darren Adams, a member of the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing, as he delivers the community's annual remarks. But this year, with her father deployed overseas to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), a new voice stepped up to the podium: his daughter, Brooke.

May 19, 2026

From Armor Officer to Educator: Retired Lt. Col. Steven Gagner reflects on service

For retired Lt. Col. Steven Gagner, leadership has never been confined to a battlefield, classroom or boardroom. Instead, it has been a lifelong pursuit shaped by service, education and a commitment to helping others grow.

May 2, 2026

Engineers Build for the Future While Honoring the Past at Centennial Alliance 2026

Marking a century of military training and innovation, leaders of the Vermont Army National Guard and Ethan Allen Firing Range, directed an ambitious effort to blend history, modernization, and hands-on engineer training through Task Force Centennial Alliance 2026.

May 2, 2026

Legacy of the Ethan Allen Firing Range - Centennial Alliance

Established in 1926 as a modest training ground for Vermont’s Citizen-Soldiers, the Ethan Allen Firing Range has grown into one of the premier military training sites in the northeastern United States, marking a century of readiness, resilience and evolution with the completion of Centennial Alliance 2026 on April 24, 2026.

May 2, 2026

181st Engineers Participate in Centennial Alliance

Soldiers assigned to the 181st Engineer Vertical Construction Company, Massachusetts National Guard put their skills to work at Range 6-3 on the Ethan Allen Firing Range, constructing a pole barn as part of exercise Centennial Alliance 2026.