TAG's Corner
Colleagues,
I promised I’d be transparent with my activities and traveling form the start of my time as TAG, so I’d like to take this opportunity to fill you in with what’s going on in my world:
In the times I have been home in the last month and a half, I continue to advocate for tax free military retirement. I encourage you to reach out to your legislators and express why this is important to you. I see it at as an effective way to keep Vermonters in Vermont, and to attract newly separated and retired Veterans to Vermont. This is critical to workforce development, and may help in attracting prior service members to the Vermont National Guard. We consistently rate as one of the least desirable locations for Veterans to relocate. I’ll continue to work to change that narrative.
I continue advocating for Kosovo being added to the burn pit registry and as a qualifying location under the PACT Act. Not a ton of traction yet, but I am not much on giving up.
I traveled to Italy for the AFRICOM Chief of Defense (CHOD) Conference. Here we discussed regional security and stability, potential for growth of the State Partnership Program, and furthering alliances and cooperation in AFRICOM.
I was in Washington, D.C. for the Guard Senior Leader Council and the Adjutant General Association meeting. While there we discussed many items impacting the National Guard – funding, operational priorities, content of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), recruiting and retention and modernization.
We recently hosted the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) at the 158th Fighter Wing with members of the Austrian military, representatives from the State Department, business leaders and also hosted Ambassador Petra Schneebauer, our new Austrian Ambassador to the United States. The intent was to shape future events and exercises in our partnership with Austria – some going beyond our traditional military-to-military approach.
Keep your eyes open for “From the Flagpole” which is now part of every units newsletter. It’s my chance to connect with you directly, and communicate some important information. It’s also an opportunity or call to action for you to tell me what we can do to be better as an organization. Please take advantage of this opportunity.
All the best. - MG Knight
Vermont Infantry Fire Direction Center Gunnery Exams
Vermont Hosts First Air Guard Gaming Event
The Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing is the first Air National Guard base to host Air Force Gaming. Airmen and civilians from across the wing met during the week of March 7 to highlight their competitive gaming skills and to build morale.
"It has been massively positive,” said Staff Sgt. Trevor LaPierre, a maintainer with the 158th Fighter Wing Maintenance Group, and official Air Force Gaming Base Ambassador. “The command team seems to love the environment we've created and the vision we have for the type of community we want to build.”
LaPierre helped create and organize the event. He said that Airmen on base have communicated that this is exactly the type of thing we've been missing on base.
"I really hope these gaming events continue," said Tech. Sgt. Nicholas M. Riley, 158th Fighter Wing Ground Transportation non-commissioned officer in charge, who participated in the event. "I think it’s an amazing morale booster."
Riley said that he believes continued support for events like this will increase unit morale while also creating opportunities to network across the wing.
Airman First Class Emily Sorrell, a 158th Security Forces Squadron Defender, hopes to see more interaction with younger Airmen on base and the creation of more events with input from members.
"It would be amazing to see our members have the chance to actually compete on national levels in San Antonio in the future!" said Sorrell.
Air Force Gaming began in November of 2020 with the intent to build a community--and it has largely succeeded. With more than 30,000 members Air Force-wide and 219 global ambassadors, the AFG is a massive community that continues to grow.
Frozen Warrior: Guerriere Nordique '23
National Guard members from Vermont trained in Valcartier, Quebec prior to Guerrier Nordique ’23.
This year’s exercise, which translates in English to “Norse Warrior”, was focused on combat capability and lethality in an arctic environment, with Canada’s northern territory temperatures staying below zero all day during the training period.
Soldiers and Airmen were transported to Resolute Bay, Nunavut, where they deployed to establish remote camps and trained in arctic combat and survival techniques.
Once established, the remote camp and ski landing area provided multi-national ground forces with tactical support via LC-130 Hercules aircraft.
The exercise culminated in a mock overland assault of an airfield 100 miles away, wherein Canadian and American soldiers utilized snowmobiles and vehicles capable of traversing the arctic terrain.
Guerrier Nordique is among a growing number of exercises designed around the strategic importance of developing American and allied capabilities in the Arctic, as interest in the region is scaling up around the world.
Resolute Bay
Resolute, Nanuvut - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shane Yuknis first came to Resolute in 2019 while participating in Guerrier Nordique.
"2023 marks his second visit to the northern most location for the Canadian hosted exercise. Active duty Soldiers form the 11th Airborne DIvision and National Guard Soldiers from Connecticut, New Hampshire, Utah, National Guard Bureau and Vermont join the Canadian Armed Forces for Guerrier Nordique 2023 in Resolute, Nanuvut, Canada..."
Visit with U.S. Representative Becca Balint
In Celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, the Vermont National Guard launched the #EmbraceEquity Campaign.
Throughout history women have set higher standards, achieved the unimaginable, and still continuously fight for gender equality, reproductive rights, ending violence and abuse against women.
Help spread the word and embrace equity in people not just in March but everyday because Women’s history is history.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Purinton
Vermont Competes in Edelweiss Raid 2023
Credits:
Created with an image by NaMaKuKi - "Tax season. calculator, pen on US tax form background"