From The TAG
The Legislative session brings opportunities to improve benefits for our Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and Vermont Veterans as a whole every year.
While the military remains apolitical with no affiliation, it is naïve to say that the military is not in the political picture. I am a state employee, and we strive to advocate for our Guard and Vermont Veterans. To be clear I am on one side: our side.
As always, I welcome the thoughts of all our members on ways our Guard can be better, and I also encourage you to tell your story to your representative. It’s the only way we can stop being Vermont’s best-kept secret.
Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight
Vermont hosts NGAIC
Vermont hosted representatives from across the United States military and partner nations at the National Guard Arctic Interest Council. Presenters talked about Arctic capabilities, training in the Arctic, and future considerations among many other topics.
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Matthew Schell, Deputy Associate Director for Research and Analysis at the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, briefs members of the National Guard during the National Guard Arctic Interest Council 2024 Annual Meeting that occurred Jan. 31 to Feb. 1.
The synergy between the Ted Stevens Center and the National Guard underscores the commitment to advancing U.S. interests across the Arctic region, ensuring stability and prosperity for Arctic nations and beyond.
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Meanwhile, Guerrier Nordique 2024 has begun with soldiers mobilizing and preparing to be in the Arctic through mid-March. In the far reaches of Resolute, Canada, military personnel from the U.S. and Canada have come together for a joint cold weather exercise called Guerrier Nordique. This exercise is designed to test the tactical skills and endurance of military personnel as they work together in extreme winter conditions in the high Arctic.
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As Vermont National Guard soldiers prepare to head north for Guerrier Nordique 24, check out our colleagues in the unforgiving arctic environment last year.
A special congratulations to the Vermont Air National Guard Public Affairs team for winning the DVIDS Long Form Video Award for the video above.
Winter Field Training
A.C.E. Maneuver Maple Thunder
Throughout two weeks, nearly 260 personnel from the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing conducted a joint readiness exercise in desolate combat simulation environments.
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Our Airmen were working with other Airmen and civilians from across the country to participate in the ACE exercise, “Maple Thunder” which ran from January 22-February 3, 2024.
“ACE is short for ‘agile combat employment’ and it’s a phrase we’ve been talking about in the Air Force for a couple of years now,” said Dr. Sandeep Mulgund, senior advisor to the deputy chief of staff for operations at Headquarters, Air Force, at the Pentagon.
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According to Air Force doctrine, ACE requires a revolutionary change in how the Air Force thinks about and conducts operations within the modern operational environment. It is a model that the 158th Fighter Wing has been implementing for close to a year.
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Vermont to Host Army National Guard Best Warrior
Command Sgt. Maj. John Raines, Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, meets with senior leadership at the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, on Feb 14.
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The leadership convened to discuss the Army National Guard Best Warrior competition. Vermont will be hosting the national competition this August.
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Each year the 'Best Warriors' from each state and or region come together to compete over a series of physically and mentally taxing events that test the true mettle of the individual Soldier.
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Informative Meeting For New Americans
Staff Sgt. Komalpreet Sani from India, Airman 1st Class Yusuf Abdi from Kenya, Spc. Hussein Sadik from Somalia, and Pvt. Raj Gurung from Bhutan, all members of the Vermont National Guard, spoke with other New Americans living in Vermont about their experiences serving in the Vermont National Guard.
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Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont Adjutant General, Vermont National Guard, Miro Weinberger, Burlington Mayor, and Ali Dieng, Burlington City Counselor, provided comments and emphasized the importance and value of our New American community.
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The Commander of the Austrian Air Force visits with the Vermont Air National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program
2024 Chief of National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships
The Vermont National Guard team participated at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships in Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, Utah this past month.
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Spc. Eli Nielsen and Spc. Vlad Kapustin went 1st and 2nd in both the men's sprint and pursuit races overall. Sgt. 1st Class Brian Letourneau placed 3rd in men’s masters for the sprint race. Capt. Graham placed 1st in women's masters and 2nd female overall for both the sprint and pursuit races. As a group they won both the men’s relay and patrol race!
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What a great effort you all put forth at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships in Utah this year.
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