Green Mountain Guard

Green Mountain Guard June 2021

TAG's Corner

This time of year, as we recognize Memorial Day and the anniversary of D-Day, I am humbled and awed by the sacrifices so many Americans have made for us: for something bigger than themselves. So many of them chose to serve, and they’ve made our nation and our world a better place for it.

Cover Story: Vermont ANG 75th Anniversary

Deployment ceremonies signal end of 2021 departures

The Vermont Army National Guard conducted three deployment ceremonies in Mid-May marking completion of the departure of approximately 950 Soldiers to overseas locations in support of U.S. Europe, U.S. Africa and U.S. Central Command.

The most recent ceremonies were held at the Camp Ethan Allan Training Site in Jericho; Vermont National Guard armory in St. Albans,; and Joint Force Headquarters, Camp Johnson in Colchester. The Soldiers have prepared for these deployments for over a year and are among the most ready in the country.

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Promotions

Army National Guard (May & June)

Sgt. Maj. Hubert Severin
1st Sgt. Adam Bowden
1st Sgt. Eric Kilburn
Master Sgt. Matthew Miller
Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Allen
Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Fuller
Sgt. 1st Class Jay Ginns
Sgt. 1st Class Keith Lance
Sgt. 1st Class Erik Little
Sgt. 1st Class Henry Peterman
Sgt. 1st Class Abraham Rogers
Staff Sgt. Jason Dennis
Staff Sgt. Joseph Dornbierer
Staff Sgt. Mathew Doyon
Staff Sgt. David Gentry
Staff Sgt. Taylar LaRock
Staff Sgt. Stephanie Roddy
Staff Sgt. Shane Yuknis
Sgt. Ethan Barry
Sgt. Jordan Bergeron
Sgt. Scott Burke
Sgt. Edward Clough
Sgt. Tandra Colflesh
Sgt. Emily Dion
Sgt. Charlotte Hartman
Sgt. Elliot Henry
Sgt. Zebulyn Lane
Sgt. Kesler Lyons
Sgt. Alan Phillips
Sgt. Robert Powell Jr.
Sgt. Austin Thompson
Spc. Ali Aljarah
Spc. Jacob Beaulieu
Spc. Robert Cassell
Spc. John Cumberland
Spc. Benjamin Emerson
Spc. Nathaniel Garrison
Spc. Jaden Groves
Spc. Matthew Kolb
Spc. Randall Laberge
Spc. Austin Leclair
Spc. Maxwell Lindfors
Spc. Jonathan Modugno
Spc. Elizabeth Najjar
Spc. Jonathon Sargent
Spc. Andrew Serrels
Spc. Adam Thompson
Spc. Caleb Vaillancourt
Spc. Brandon Watson
Pfc. Madison Eline
Pfc. Maxime Germain
Pfc. Kyra Jewett
Pfc. Allyson Mill
Pfc. Tracy Naylor
Pfc. Camren Nielsen
Pfc. Donald Nolan
Pfc. Garrette Shanks
Pfc. Christopher Therrien
Pfc. Agustin Tilca Martinez
Pvt. Ian Austin
Pvt. Simon Brown
Pvt. Tyler Brown
Pvt. Lina Farra
Pvt. Matthew Frey
Pvt. Jacob Gouger
Pvt. Wayne Hall II
Pvt. Andrew Kachmar
Pvt. Nick Lewis
Pvt. Tyler Lonerwright
Pvt. Summer Long
Pvt. Abi Mishra
Pvt. German Rivas

Air National Guard Promotions

No promotions for June.

Vermont Guardsman Receives Soldier’s Medal for 2020 rescue

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Dearborn, a Vermont Army National Guard instructor at the Army Mountain Warfare School, is awarded the Soldier's Medal by Vermont Governor Phil Scott on June 18, 2021 at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont. Between Feb. 28-March 1, 2020, Dearborn assisted with the rescue of two individuals at the Stowe Mountain ski area. One of the military’s highest honors, the medal is awarded only for acts of heroism not involving conflict with an armed enemy. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Joshua T. Cohen)

On Feb. 29, 2020, Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Dearborn, a Vermont Army National Guard instructor at the Army Mountain Warfare School, responded to an emergency call from State Police to assist in the rescue of two skiers lost at night, in deteriorating weather near the Stowe Mountain ski area.

Dearborn never imagined that 16 months later, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott would decorate him with the Soldier’s Medal, one the military’s highest honors, awarded only for acts of heroism not involving conflict with an armed enemy.

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86th ICBT (MTN) arrives in Germany

HOHENFELS, Germany — Greetings from Germany!

Only weeks after a grueling year of COVID-19 support to Vermont and a month long mission to Washington, D.C., for Operation Capitol Response, over 900 Soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard are now deployed across the globe in support of various missions fulfilling our federal missions.

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Top Left: U.S. Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal Soldiers train with their Romanian counterparts at the Hohenfels Training Center, Germany, June 25. Top Right: U.S. Army Soldiers with the 29th Military Police Company from Maine, conduct active shooter and building clearance training at Camp Albertshof, Hohenfels, Germany June 24. Center: Romanian soldiers are air lifted to conduct an administrative boundary line patrol in Hohenfels on June 21. Bottom Left: Lt. Col. Mark Austin, Deputy Commander Operations Group, Joint Multination Readiness Center, presents a member of the German military police with a certificate of appreciation during a ceremony June 20 at Camp Albertshof. Bottom Right: Smoke grenades provide visual cover during the Bronze Shield crowd and riot control exercise.

Vaccination rates soar for deployed infantry battalion

Lt Col. Matthew Wignall, battalion commander, stands with Col. Ricky Kue, battalion surgeon, both with 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Task Force Avalanche, during a site visit in Southwest Asia. The 3-172 IN (MTN) has reached 87 percent of its deployed force being COVID-19 vaccinated. (Photo courtesy of 3-172nd Infantry (Mountain))

SOUTHWEST ASIA – The Jericho, Vermont, based 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) surpasses the average COVID-19 vaccination rate while deployed.

The National Guard unit reached a staggering 87 percent COVID-19 vaccination rate throughout the battalion’s deployed Soldiers. Vaccinations started at home station, continued during mobilization, and additional vaccines were received while deployed.

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Shaw AFB Airmen train in Vermont

Airmen, Fighter Pilots, and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force base, train at the Vermont Air National Guard base, South Burlington, Vt., June 30, 2021. The F-16s from the 55th Fighter Squadron flew integrated Offensive Counter Air Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses missions with F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard.

Green Mountain Pride

Fuel is in Tech. Sgt. Ashley Whitty’s blood. As a child, she spent days in the small engine shop built by her grandfather, which is now owned by her father. She would spend time dusting engine parts on showroom shelves and sweeping the floors, paying attention to detail, ensuring everything looked just right for the customers.

However, it was in the back of the showroom where she first began working with her hands. It was there Whitty learned the intricacies of small engine repair, getting her hands dirty on chain saws, lawn mowers, weed whackers, and snowmobiles. Again, attention to detail was paramount.

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VTNG biathletes eye 2022 Beijing Olympics

Three Vermont National Guard biathletes are training hard in anticipation of attending the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. If selected, VTARNG members will make up 37 percent of the U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team.

The event would mark the first time Spc. Deedra Irwin takes part in the international games. A member of 86th Troop Command, the 29-year-old biathlete is “excited about the possible opportunity to represent my country and my team. Participating in the Olympics has always been a dream of mine and something I've worked towards for a long time.”