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Green Mountain Guard February 2020

Message from Lt. Col. Matthew Wignall

In January, I had the great privilege of assuming command of 3rd Battalion 172nd Infantry (Mountain). Our mission is “to close with and destroy enemy forces using fire, maneuver, and shock effect, or to repel his assault by fire and counterattack.” With 99 like-type battalions in the Army, (39 active duty; 60 National Guard) there are but three of us specifically equipped, manned, and focused on executing this mission in a mountainous environment.

3-172 IN (MTN) is declared by U.S. Army Heraldry as, “The Mountain Battalion.” This affirmation is a testament to the women and men came well before me, who committed themselves to building the tactics, doctrine, and spirit of the military mountaineer.

Our mountaineers serve not only as infantrymen, but as medics, logisticians, analysts, communications specialists, administrators, and certainly – leaders.

CSM Campagne and I support this mission through four pillars of success:

Unit Readiness: (READY NOW)

Holistic Health and Fitness: (FIT TO FIGHT)

Lethality and Proficiency: (LETHAL AT THE POINT OF CONTACT)

Esprit-de-Corps and Culture: (MOUNTAIN BATTALION ETHOS)

We know full well how important our mission is, and we are committed to providing the United States with a ready and capable Mountain Battalion.

“Ascend to Victory”

-LTC Matthew Wignall

LtCol Matthew Wignall, Commander, 3rd Battalion 172nd Infantry (Mountain)

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January was a productive month in the Alpine Brigade! We had a great time in the Notch with BMMC course and world class AMWS cadre and were thrilled to spend some time with our former AUP brother CSM Fortenberry who is currently the CSM of the Infantry School, our Army is fortunate to have him shaping future leaders! The previous week I visited the Warlord Battalion in MA and was able to see off their team of artillerists headed to Africa on an SPP mission, what an exciting and relevant opportunity for young 13 series SMs to be a part of. I snuck out later that week and took advantage of “free heel Friday" at Vermont's newly updated ski area #30! Stay after it Alpine! - Col. Nathan Lord

State Partnership Program: Vermont & North Macedonia

We had a great week with our Vermont National Guard J1 and HRO leadership in town. COL Dana Tourangeau, LTC Chris Ruggerio, and SGM Andrea Metcalf spent four days with their counterparts in the Ministry of Defense and Army of the Republic of North Macedonia discussing Human Resources Management. This was a timely visit, since the Ministry of Defense and Army are implementing policy change to meet NATO standards. The Vermont team shared best practices with senior officials and administrators at the brigade and below levels. More photos to follow, but huge thanks for the outstanding support from Vermont!

On Drill: February 2020

Despite the heavy snowstorm last week, the 158th Fighter Wing stayed on schedule during drill weekend. Catch up on what the #GreenMountainBoys were up to this February.

ABC News feat. Army Warfare School @ CEATS!

Cutthroat Troop, 1st of the 172nd Cavalry (Mountain) conduct training at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont.

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers from Cutthroat Troop, 1st of the 172nd Cavalry, 86th IBCT Infantry (Mountain) conduct Situational Training Exercise (STX) lanes at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont, February 8th. The STX lanes prepare the soldiers for their upcoming deployment in 2021. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Gloria Kamencik)

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers from Cutthroat Troop, 1st of the 172nd Cavalry, 86th IBCT Infantry (Mountain) conduct Situational Training Exercise (STX) lanes at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont, February 8th. The STX lanes prepare the soldiers for their upcoming deployment in 2021. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jack Curtis)

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers from Bravo Troop, 1st of the 172nd Cavalry, 86th IBCT (Mountain) conduct zeroing and Individual Weapons Qualification (IWQ) at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont, February 8th in preparation for deployment in 2021. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Gloria Kamencik)

≈February 2020 Promotions: Air≈

Please congratulate the following Airmen!
  • TSgt Catlin Furnia
  • TSgt Daniel Henderson
  • TSgt Corey Rivers
  • SSgt Cole Bevins
  • SSgt Peter Argiros
  • SSgt Shaelyn Pomeroy
  • SSgt Elizebeth McCabe
  • SrA Candace Dague
  • SrA Spencer Marquis
  • Amn Mackaylah O'Brien

≈February 2020 Promotions: Army≈

Please congratulate the following Soldiers!
  • SGT Abigail Buck
  • SGT Alexander Fuller
  • SGT Alan Bouffard
  • SGT Aaron Waterman
  • SGT Scott Bushey
  • SGT Courtney Ireland
  • SGT Joshua Gadue
  • SGT Matthew Schnepp
  • SGM Thomas Kontos

/////////JDET STORY & PHOTOS HERE/// awt. email response via JDET for quotes///

VERMONT AIRMAN SPOTLIGHT

Featuring Tech. Sgt. Juan Coleman

MILITARY SPECIALTY: Production Recruiter

YEARS OF SERVICE: 10

UNIT: 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard

HOMETOWN: Wilson, North Carolina

RESIDENT: Essex Junction, Vt.

WHY DID YOU JOIN THE VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD?

"It seemed every door closed that I wasn't supposed to walk through. The Air Force has always been what I was supposed to do."

WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD?

"I am an aviation resource manager as well as a production recruiter."

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR CIVILIAN WORK?

"I am work for the Vermont Air National Guard on a full-time basis."

WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE MOST VALUABLE BENEFIT OF BEING IN THE NATIONAL GUARD?

"The professional relationships that you build with colleagues, the people throughout Vermont, as well as nationwide and internationally."

HAS YOUR NATIONAL GUARD EXPERIENCE BENEFITED YOUR CIVILIAN ROLE OR COMMUNITY? IF YES, HOW SO?

"Yes, I am able to share my story with others and educate folks on common misconceptions that they may have in regard to the Air National Guard."

WHAT IS YOUR FONDEST MEMORY WHILE SERVING YOUR COUNTRY?

"Returning home from a deployment in 2013 and being greeting by children in the airport."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF LIVING WHERE YOU DO?

"The balance. There are things to do if you want to go out and enjoy yourself but it's also quiet for the times you want to kick back and recharge."

THROUGH YOUR OWN LENS, WHAT IS A SPECIAL TAKE-AWAY OF SERVING IN THE VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD?

"The people that you meet. Folks that you get to help and those that help you. Believe it or not, there is something that you can learn from everyone that you encounter- be teachable!"

SOLDIER SPOTLIGHT

Featuring SPC Ryan Moon

MILITARY SPECIALTY:

11C Indirect Fire Infantryman

UNIT:

HHC 3/172nd Infantry Mountain Battalion

YEARS IN SERVICE:

5 Years

FROM:

Auburn, MI

WHY DID YOU JOIN THE VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD?

"I attended school at Norwich University and I had wanted to serve the nation and give back, so it made sense to join the Guard."

WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED WHILE IN THE GUARD?

"Through my experiences in the Guard, I've gotten a better understanding of myself mentally and physically. I've learned how to persevere through challenges and cruddy conditions."

WHAT IS YOU JOB IN YOUR UNIT?

"I am an artillery ammo bearer. I really enjoy working with artillery because we have a significant effect on the battlefield."

HOW HAS YOUR MILITARY SERVICE BENEFITTED YOUR CIVILIAN LIFE OR CAREER?

"Working within the military has made me more driven and hardworking. I always want to show up and do my best and represent the Army well in all I do."

WHAT IS ONE INTERESTING EXPERIENCE OR FUN THING YOU HAVE DONE AS A MEMBER OF THE VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD?

"At reclass school, I got to partake in a direct lay fire which was really cool because we got to watch where our mortar rounds landed, which doesn't normally happen."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MRE?

"White chicken chunks; chili mac is overrated."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PUT MAPLE SYRUP ON?

"Pancakes."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD?

"Biscuits and gravy!"

Kessel Run Brings "Mad Hatter" to the Green Mountain Boys

Story by Julie Schae

A pilot assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, returns to base in their F-35A Lightning II during routine flying operations from the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vt., Feb. 12, 2020. Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing partnered with Kessel Run to complete its first test and evaluation of their new software, a suite known as Mad Hatter, during February 2020 at the Vermont Air National Guard Base in South Burlington. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Miss Julie M. Shea)

Crew chiefs assigned to the 158th Maintenance Group, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, work on a mobile device on the flight line at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vt., Feb. 12, 2020. Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing partnered with Kessel Run to complete its first test and evaluation of their new software, a suite known as Mad Hatter, during February 2020 at the Vermont Air National Guard Base in South Burlington. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Miss Julie M. Shea)

Crew chiefs assigned to the 158th Maintenance Group, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, work on a mobile device and computers on the flight line at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vt., Feb. 12, 2020. Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing partnered with Kessel Run to complete its first test and evaluation of their new software, a suite known as Mad Hatter, during February 2020 at the Vermont Air National Guard Base in South Burlington. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Miss Julie M. Shea)

Tech. Sgt. Leah Curtin, a crew chief assigned to the 158th Maintenance Group, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, gathers together with Kessel Run employees Mr. Nathan Edwards, Mr. Alexander Morris, SSgt Andrew McFarland, and Ms. Diane Ponte Saia in front of an F-35A Lightning II during a testing phase of Kessel Run’s software suite known as Mad Hatter, Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vt., Feb. 12, 2020. Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing partnered with Kessel Run to complete its first test and evaluation of their new software during February 2020 at the Vermont Air National Guard Base. (U.S. National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Michael Davis)

Kessel Run and Air Force civilian employees, Mr. Nathan Edwards, Mr. Alexander Morris, SSgt Andrew McFarland, and Ms. Diane Ponte Saia, gather together in front of an F-35A Lightning II during a testing phase of Kessel Run’s software suite known as Mad Hatter, Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vt., Feb. 12, 2020. Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing partnered with Kessel Run to complete its first test and evaluation of their new software during February 2020 at the Vermont Air National Guard Base. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Michael Davis)