TAG's Corner
Colleagues,
The end of October and start of November means that shorter days, colder mornings, and clearing the driveway of snow is right around the corner. We know this transition is coming every year and yet, somehow, we act as if we are surprised by it.
I can say that the same surprise can be seen throughout our organization at times. The change of a fiscal year, the upcoming retirement of a key member of our team, or even a drill weekend and Annual Training. It seems so distant with ample time to prepare, but before we know it, it’s here.
We always make it. I believe it’s because our people are trained for it. We are prepared to take action make things work in an uncertain world. I’ve been nothing but impressed with the work I have seen you all accomplish since my time as your Adjutant General. Doing more with less, and often on short notice.
It’s this demeanor that remains crucial throughout our organization. We have, and must retain the ability to meet adversaries, work through challenges, and continue the mission. We are in the business of being resilient, competent, and proficient professionals. Continue to be a stable force in today’s world. - MG Knight
158th Fighter Wing Welcomes New Commander
Col. Daniel Finnegan assumed command of the 158th Fighter Wing during a change of command ceremony at the Vermont Air National Guard Base on October 16 at 2 p.m.
During the ceremony, Col. David Shevchik, Jr. relinquished command after serving since January of 2020. Under his command, the wing exited conversion and became the only operational F-35 wing in the Air National Guard, successfully deployed to Europe in support of ongoing NATO Air Shielding missions and supported the state COVID-19 response mission.
“You exemplify servant leadership. Because of your efforts our fighter wing consistently performs better than our peers across the globe,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, adjutant general for the Vermont National Guard. “There’s a reason this wing was given the F-35 mission and your work has proven that Vermont and the 158th Fighter Wing were the right choice. Job well done, Caesar.”
A Look Back at Col. Shevchik's Command
COVER Photo: 1,000 F-35 Flight Hours
Voyer Named U.S. Biathlon Coach of the Year
Vermont Air National Guard Master Sgt. Travis Voyer added to an award-winning year of Vermont National Guardsmen biathletes by being named the U.S. Biathlon Coach of the Year.
“It felt really good because it’s the other coaches voting and its recognition from your peers. It made me feel warm and fuzzy,” laughed Voyer. “I’ve coached a long time, but only head coach for five years. It made the last five years at the helm good. I’ve put in a lot of hard work throughout the years and it’s nice to feel that from your peers.”
While Voyer appreciates receiving the honor of being named Coach of the Year, his focus is on developing athletes. He has been coaching the sport of biathlon for 18 years and he imagines he has worked with more than 80 athletes on the development side.
“What’s the best feeling as a coach? It’s easy, as a coach with the Soldier-athletes, watching them succeed in their military career and ski tracks,” said Voyer. “In past 5 years as head coach, we changed the way we approach the military side and biathlon side, that’s the best part. The success in both careers is amazing. I’m thinking about the 10 athletes we currently have; we have four who are now Sgts.”
He also recommended getting the ‘travel bug’ while young and when people’s bodies bounce back quicker.
“Traveling while old sucks, but as a young Airmen, being able to travel was amazing,” laughed Voyer. “Argentina and Chile around 15 times and just about everywhere in Europe and Scandinavia. Traveling was a big deal and I was able to do a lot of it.”
Voyer has 26-years of military service and is currently serving in the Vermont Air National Guard with the 158th Logistics Readiness Squadron. This most recent Olympics was an event he saw as possibly one of the most influential for U.S. Biathlon.
“This winter Olympics, we had four Vermont National Guard Soldiers on team and the big springboard is one of our two females, Sgt. Deedra Irwin getting a 7th place in her first individual race, she was one shot away from a bronze or silver medal,” said Voyer. “This past Olympics, we had more Olympians than we’ve had since 90’s, it’s truly special.”
That 7th place finish was the best finish an American has ever placed in biathlon at the Olympics. That team growth was also a direct impact from the recruiting Voyer has put into the team.
“Master Sgt. Voyer’s commitment to his craft has enabled him to grow the National Guard Biathlon Team during his tenure,” said U.S. Army Maj. Kevin Elmer, the National Guard biathlon coordinator. “The year he took over as head coach of the team the National Guard provided just 6% of the U.S. National Biathlon Team members. Currently, we provide 37% of the US National Team, and that number is likely to continue to grow.”
Looking to the future, Voyer is hopeful for what the athletes will accomplish.
“It’s been fun to have support and it’s been a lot more fun lately. Some biathletes decided to join the National Guard and it’s been good. We can keep it up. I have around three years left of military service and I’m hoping to see the team reach something better than 7th place at the Olympics.”
Memorial Service held in honor of Sgt. Cody Surprise
U.S. Army Sgt. Cody Surprise’s unit, along with family and friends, honored his life and service through a memorial service in the Ethan Allen Firing Range Chapel today.
Surprise served with Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), based out of his hometown of Lyndonville, Vt. from his enlistment in August 2017. Surprise perished from a swimming accident on May 21, 2022, at the age of 21.
“In the middle of one February or March we were doing a ruck march from Lyndonville Armory to one of our local training areas and it was so cold that morning, 15 or 20 degrees below zero,” U.S. Army Capt. Philip Bourn, former commander, C Troop, 1-172nd CAV (MTN) recounted during the service. “I was moving along the columns checking on Soldiers and I saw Cody. I walked up to him and asked if he was alright, and his face had quite literally frozen in a smile. I asked him what he was smiling about, and he said, ‘Sir, I love this sh*t!”
Surprise had recently returned in the spring of 2022 from deployment with C Troop to the Horn of Africa.
“We were running 12-hour shifts in Djibouti, the hottest country in the world, and I was out to check on Soldiers about an hour before shift change and everyone was exhausted,” Bourn remembered. “I saw Cody off in the distance working his position alongside two local nationals. They were laughing and joking and clearly having a good time and I remembered thinking how even now Cody still found something to laugh about. He had taken the time to learn some of the local language and was clearly loved by the locals there, and that really stuck with me.”
The memorial service included the dedication of the Lyndonville Armory Gym to Surprise, which now bears his name in honor and remembrance of his passion for fitness and adventure.
Surprise’s military education included the Basic and Advanced Military Mountaineer Courses, Pathfinder, Air Assault, and Infantry One Station Unit Training. His awards and decorations included a Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
“There are a couple of truths that I really cling to and believe firmly,” concluded Bourn. “First, I believe genuinely that everyone is always trying to do their best. Second, is that we can learn something from everyone in this life. And if there is one thing that I truly learned from Sgt. Cody Surprise, is that even in the darkest of times, if we dig deep, we can all find something to smile about."
The video below has a previously recorded interview with Sgt. Surprise during Zodiac boat training.
1st Sgt. Stewart Retires
Doug Stewart first enlisted into the Army in 1979. After a break in service, re-enlisting with one of his children, completing multiple deployments and leading hundreds of Soldiers, 1st Sgt. Stewart enjoyed his last drill in October. After 22 years of service, Stewart is retiring.
Stewart recently returned from a deployment to Kosovo as the first sergeant for Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry (Mountain). Stationed at Camp Novo Selo just outside of Pristina, the capitol city in Kosovo.
Just prior to deployment, Stewart was sent to Washington, D.C., with other Cavalry Soldiers as part of the National Guard’s defense of the Capitol. About 10 years prior, Stewart went to Afghanistan in 2010 as part of Task Force Morgan, and a member of Charlie Troop in the same Squadron. Unique to this mission – Stewart deployed with his son and daughter.
Stewart never would have deployed to Afghanistan had he not re-enlisted in the Vermont Army National Guard with his son, Jeb. Stewart took his son to the recruiting station in 2005 and was brought back into service the same day his son decided to serve his first enlistment. Doug, an 11B infantryman and Jeb, an 11C mortarman both with C Troop at the time, deployed together in the same unit.
Stewart’s daughter, Michaela, also deployed to Afghanistan as an 88M truckdriver with Echo Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, Vermont Army National Guard. Her unit was deployed to a different location in Afghanistan.
“The proudest moment of my life was deploying to Afghanistan with both my children,” said Stewart. “Their mother was pretty nervous with all of us gone, but it was fine. I couldn’t have planned it any better. Pretty proud of that and pretty proud of my kids.”
Stewart’s impact on the Squadron is difficult to measure. A quiet man from East Concord, Stewart worked most of his civilian life in the construction trade. His skill set was especially helpful in Afghanistan, as Stewart improved most of the structures at the forward operating base he called home.
If his skill set as a carpenter wasn’t enough, Stewart is also a blacksmith, operating a small armory out of his home.
“It’s a great hobby,” said Stewart. “I make a lot of hatchets.” The hatchet is emblematic of HHT, otherwise known as ‘Hatchet Troop.’ Soldiers retiring or leaving the unit are frequently given hatchets made in Stewart’s armory.
Stewart’s skills in the trade and old school leadership make him a very unique person and Soldier, and someone very difficult to replace.
“1st Sgt. Stewart epitomizes the NCO creed with his professionalism, competence and leadership,” said Lt. Col. Travis Myers, commander, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry (MTN). “His work ethic and standard he set for himself and his Soldiers is unmatched. He’s a tough one to replace.”
On top of his skills and accomplishments as a civilian and Soldier, arguably the most impressive feat in his military career is his graduating from the Army Mountain Warfare School at age 57 – by far the oldest graduate in the history of the school.