An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Vermont National Guard Logo Press Releases
Press Release | July 1, 2022

Vermont National Guard COVID-19 missions end

Vermont National Guard Public Affairs

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont  –  

Vermont National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supporting Vermont’s COVID-19 response mission officially end orders on July 1.

The first mission began Monday, March 23, 2020, when Soldiers established a medical surge facility in Barre and Airmen began logistical operations at the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

“Since the start of the pandemic, Vermont’s National Guard has stepped up to serve, always willing to go the extra mile for their fellow Vermonters,” said Governor Phil Scott. “They stepped up and were instrumental in many efforts, and without their support, Vermont would not have had the nation-leading response that we did. I join countless Vermonters in expressing my gratitude for their dedication.”

During the COVID-19 response, the Vermont National Guard collected 34,314 test samples, gave 80,154 vaccines, made 27,000 close contact calls, shipped 3 million sample kits, shipped 13.6 million items from the SNS, and delivered 2,931,698 meals over the course of the mission.

“The past two years have really shown what our Guard is capable of,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the Adjutant General for the Vermont National Guard. “Not only were we able to fully support Vermont’s historic response to the pandemic, but we were also able to concurrently plan for and execute our federal missions – both Air and Army National Guard. I was, and am, truly amazed at the professionalism and ability of our service members to execute at every level, from planning to execution.”

Throughout the COVID-19 response, the Vermont National Guard sent Soldiers to Washington, D.C. in response to the Capitol security efforts, deployed more than 900 Soldiers, and most recently, deployed nearly 250 Airmen in support of federal missions all while continuing regular training and operations.

National Guard News
Idaho Army National Guard Pfc. Bailey Craig attends her first drill at the Orchard Combat Training Center, Feb. 8, 2023, with the organization's 937th Engineer Detachment. She is the unit's first female to earn the 12M firefighter military occupational specialty after graduating in December from the Department of Defense's 68-day basic firefighting training academy at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.
Idaho Guardsman Blazes her own Trail in Firefighting
By Crystal Farris, | March 15, 2023
BOISE, Idaho - Beads of sweat dripped down her face and collected at the bottom of her mask. Her firefighting suit and breathing apparatus were heavy and weighed her down. She crawled forward and pulled the 175-pound “dummy”...

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Shawn Tabankin, the commander of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, holds the
NY Guard’s 69th Infantry Carries Poet’s Crucifix to Africa
By Staff Sgt. Alexander Rector, | March 15, 2023
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Poet Joyce Kilmer, most famous for the poem “Trees,” was killed over 100 years ago while serving as a sergeant in the New York National Guard’s 69th Infantry Regiment scout section during World War...

First Sgt. John Melson, then a Sgt. 1st Class and member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, was presented the Bronze Star Medal with
Guard Soldier Featured in Army ‘Be All You Can Be’ Campaign
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes, | March 15, 2023
ARLINGTON, Va. – Many military members consider their service life-changing, but for 1st Sgt. John Melson, it was lifesaving — literally. After doctors at Melson’s military entrance screening discovered a lump in his neck, he...

Sgt. Osse Jeanpierre shows off his U.S. citizenship certificate following his swearing in as a U.S. citizen Dec. 15, 2022, in Tukwila, Wash. The Washington National Guard member left Haiti as a 9-year-old.
Army National Guardsman Shares Journey to Citizenship
By Joseph Siemandel, | March 15, 2023
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - When you ask Sgt. Osse Jeanpierre, JP for short, about immigrating to the United States, he smiles and talks so vividly about how it helped his family. His smile widens when he explains his time in the...

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shane Yuknis, cavalry scout for B Troop, 172nd Cavalry Squadron (MTN), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (MTN), Vermont Army National Guard, before tactical insertion training at the airfield in Resolute, Nunavut, Canada, March 14, 2023.
Vermont Guard Soldier Thrives in Canadian Arctic Exercise
By Capt. Mikel Arcovitch, | March 15, 2023
RESOLUTE, Nunavut - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shane Yuknis first came to Resolute in 2019 while participating in Guerrier Nordique.This is his second visit to the northernmost location for the Canadian-hosted exercise. National...