Green Mountain Guard June 2024

From The TAG

Colleagues,

As I write this I’m preparing for another trip to Senegal in support of our partnership. The travel that comes with this job keeps me busy, but I know this visit will again have some good outcomes for us and our partner.

The mission of our Soldiers and Airmen during this year’s joint medical exercise (MEDREX) consists of working with their Senegalese partners to provide medical care and to assist hospitals in Tambacounda and Kedougou, Senegal. Take a look on a map when you get the chance. I can’t wait to see them off on their mission and hear of all the awesome work they will do.

I know medical, dental, and mental health care through Tricare can be challenging – not only for our members but for providers. This is a concern across much of the National Guard. Along with our Prevention office, I am working to address this for you locally and at the national level. It’s important for you to know that you’re heard, and we are working toward resolutions for some of these challenges. It won’t happen overnight, but know we are trying to get some momentum to address the issues we all know exist.

All the best to you and yours.

-Maj. Gen. Knight

Memorial Day Ceremony 2024

The Vermont National Guard came together to honor Memorial Day at the Fallen Hero Memorial at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont. Governor Phil Scott and Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight were present to provide remarks. Watch the ceremony in the video above.

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May in the United States, is a poignant and solemn holiday dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women who have died while serving. Originating after the Civil War and originally known as Decoration Day, this day of remembrance has evolved to include all American military personnel who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country.

Communities across the nation mark the day with ceremonies, parades, and the decoration of graves with flags and flowers, reflecting on the bravery and sacrifices of fallen heroes. Memorial Day also signifies the unofficial start of summer, often celebrated with family gatherings and outdoor activities, blending reflection with the spirit of unity and patriotism.

Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Championships

Sgt. Thomas Montgomery, 1-172nd Cavalry, competes with the M4 Rifle at the Winston P. Wilson Championships in North Little Rock, AK.

-

The Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Championships, the premier National Guard combat shooting event, concluded this week in Arkansas. This annual weeklong competition, named in honor of Major General Winston P. Wilson, who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau from 1963 to 1971, has a storied history dating back to its inception in 1971. The championships are designed to test and enhance the marksmanship skills of National Guard members across the United States.

-

The Staff Sgt. Miller Butler award presented to the top Pistol Team Champions.

-

The Vermont Army National Guard Small Arms Readiness Training Section delivered an outstanding performance, securing 6th place overall in the Team Aggregate and clinching 1st place in the Pistol Team Aggregate. Vermont's remarkable success in the pistol matches has earned them the title of the best combat pistol team in the National Guard, a distinction they will hold for the next year.

-

Master Sgt. Derek Mumley poses with the Butler award, given to the top pistol team during the awards ceremony at the Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Championships.

-

Two Vermont shooters, Tech. Sgt. Nicolas Poirier and Tech. Sgt. Galen Topper, were awarded the prestigious Chief’s 50 Badge. Additionally, Tech. Sgt. Poirier achieved an impressive 2nd place overall in the Individual Pistol Aggregate.

"I'm really proud of what we were able to accomplish at this competition," said Poirier. "We practice a ton, and it's awesome to see us putting out high level performances like this."

-

229th Cyberspace Operations Squadron

Meet Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Alvin from the 229th Cyberspace Operations Squadron! Discover how our Vermont Air National Guard experts are leading the charge in cyber operations education and training. From developing cutting-edge courses to pioneering virtual training, the 229th COS is at the forefront of preparing the Total Force to tackle tomorrow’s cyber challenges.

Order of Military Medical Merit

Col. Michael Korczykowski, Commander of the Medical Detachment, Vermont National Guard, recently received the esteemed Order of Military Medical Merit. This prestigious award recognizes excellence and promotes fellowship and esprit de corps among Army Medical Department (AMEDD) personnel.

-

U.S. Army Col. Michael Korczykowski's, Commander, Medical Detachment, Garrison Support Command, awarded the Order of Military Medical Merit Medal.

-

The Order of Military Medical Merit is a distinguished honor that denotes outstanding service within the Army Medical Department. It is one of the highest achievements medical personnel can attain, recognized by senior AMEDD leadership.

-

Col. Korczykowski presenting Lt. Col. Denis with a retirment gift. He has mentored many medical providers over the years in his various command leadership roles.

-

Col. Korczykowski’s receipt of this award highlights his exceptional dedication and contributions to the medical field and the units with which he has served. Col Korczykowski graduated from the Inter-service Physician Assistant Program in December of 2005 and has been an Army PA for 19 years. He has held multiple duty positions over his time as a PA. He was a paratrooper in Alaska with the 1-40th CAV, a CBRNE treatment PA with the 15th Civil Support Team, and he has had multiple medical commands for the VTARNG.

-

Checkered Flag

During the course of three weeks, more than 175 Airmen and a dozen F-35 Lighting IIs from Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing joined Airmen, Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors from across the country to participate in the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) and Checkered Flag exercises at Tyndall Air Base, Florida.

-

A crew chief assigned the the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, helps prepare an F-35A Lightning II for take off during training exercises at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 16.

-

“We are participating in two exercises concurrently,” said Senior Master Sgt. Douglas Lamay, 158th Fighter Wing Fabrication Element Supervisor, and maintenance group non-commissioned officer in charge of the exercises for the VTANG. “The purpose of (the WSEP) mission is to give our pilots an opportunity to fire live missiles at air-to-air targets which is not a common opportunity for our pilots.”

-

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, takes off during a training exercise at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

-

Lamay said that the WSEP team uses data collected from the missile shoots to help identify and improve weapons systems and to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems. After the WSEP portion, the teams pivot to the second part of their training.

-

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, prepares for takes off during a training exercise at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

-

Regional Best Warrior Competition

Soldiers from the New York and Connecticut National Guard took the top slots during the Region 1 Best Warrior Competition which wrapped up in lower Manhattan on Thursday, May 16.

-

Soldiers navigate rough terrain during the Region 1 Best Warrior Competition.

-

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Peter Fillion, a member of C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment placed first in the enlisted Soldier category.

Connecticut National Guard Staff Sgt. Curtis Ruckey, an infantryman assigned to the 6th Recruiting and Retention Battalion, was named the winner of the Best Non-Commissioned Officer award.

-

Soldiers conduct a ruck march across New York City.

-

Sixteen Soldiers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont, with eight Soldiers competing in the non-commissioned officer and eight in the junior enlisted categories, vied for a chance to represent the region in the national competition later this year in Vermont.

-

The competitors and their sponsors pose for a photo at Niagra Falls.

-

Catching Up With the TAG

Brad Ferland is joined in-studio by Vermont National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, May 20.