The Vermont National Guard in 2021: Looking back on a busy year

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont – In 2021 the Vermont National Guard fully engaged both federal and state missions. Overseas deployments and Joint Task Force Coyote, a critical component of the State’s response to the COVID-19, resulted in a high operational tempo, one not experienced in past years.

A Capitol response amidst overseas deployments

Shortly after the events at the U.S. Capitol in January, approximately 100 Vermont National Guard Soldiers were placed on a no-notice, 48-hour emergency muster and deployed supporting Operation Capitol Response. Soldiers tasked with the mission came predominantly from 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), at the time a unit slated for an overseas deployment.

VTARNG 2021 Deployments

January: After a year of preparation, approximately 350 Vermont Guard Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain) departed for a mission overseas supporting U.S. Central Command. At the same time, approximately 35 Soldiers of the 172nd Law Enforcement Detachment transitioned to the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel under U.S. Central Command.

February: Approximately 350 Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain); Golf Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion; and Alpha Company, 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion; deployed as Task Force Avalanche in support of Operation Spartan Shield, U.S. Central Command.

March: Approximately 120 Soldiers from Bravo Company, 572nd BEB; and Charlie Troop, 3-172 Cavalry (MTN); deployed in support of U.S. Africa Command as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Approximately 60 Soldiers from Bravo Battery 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment followed, their mission involved support for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

May: Saw the departure of over 600 Vermont Guard Soldiers deployed to support federal missions with the U.S. European Command and Central Command. These included 95 Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 86th IBCT (MTN), 195 Soldiers from 1-172nd CAV (MTN), and Delta Company, 186th BSB along with the 172nd Public Affairs Detachment.

Attending the 1-172 CAV (MTN) overseas departure ceremony, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders reminded Guard members of their role in national security. “I had the pleasure, and honor of meeting some of you in Washington D.C. where you came to make sure we brought about order for the inauguration of President Biden, and you did just that."

Joint Task Force Coyote – Strategic National Stockpile – pandemic support to the State

While troops deployed to overseas locations, the Vermont Guard’s internal response to the COVID-19 pandemic continued in early January when 60 individuals from the 158th Medical Group received COVID-19 vaccinations.

Later, in September, Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the Vermont adjutant general, required vaccination for all Guard members in accordance with Department of Defense policy.

In early March, the Guard’s support to the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic transitioned from testing. The new emphasis for Task Force Coyote involved providing vaccinations at pop-up clinics throughout the state. The Task Force, which consists of both Soldiers and Airmen began administering COVID-19 vaccinations to the 5-11 age group in November.

As COVID-19 vaccination levels increased, pandemic support missions at the National Strategic Stockpile shifted. In conjunction with Guard personnel reassembling, disassembling, and storing an emergency alternate healthcare facility used as a mass vaccination site, Soldiers and Airmen packaged and distributed Personal Protective Equipment, primarily to health facilities and schools. Guard members also assembled and shipped more than 500,000 COVID-19 sampling kits from the Strategic National Stockpile since they began operations in the summer of 2020.