Green Mountain Guard

Green Mountain Guard March 2019

MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP

I am honored and humbled to have been selected as the next Adjutant General for the Vermont National Guard. Our dual mission and what you all do for us is critical to the success of our communities, state, and nation, and I will work hard to ensure that story is told to the citizens of Vermont. I echo Maj. Gen. Cray's final remarks. Our citizens are counting on you to continue to make a difference.

I look forward to meeting with you in the coming months, and sincerely hope you will share your thoughts on how we can all make our organization better. We have tremendous potential, a few challenges and some work to do - we will do this together. I ask for your patience as I assume this new role, and will lean on many of you for guidance and assistance.

I want to share with you my three priorities as we move forward together.

1. Recruiting and Retention. We need to continuously fill our ranks with qualified Soldiers and Airmen to get the job done. We also need to retain the Guardsmen who chose to serve. Meeting this priority is more than gaining new recruits and retaining currently serving members, it is about creating a culture where people want to serve and where they can excel in their duties.

2. People are the center of gravity. Our Soldiers and Airmen are the Vermont National Guard's greatest assets. Taking care of people must be our focus moving forward. Reviewing policies and procedures with this in mind is critical for our success.

3. Care of Vermont Veterans. We choose to serve for many reasons. With that comes the obligation that we will take care of our fellow Veterans. It is my personal responsibility and duty to care for both those who serve and have served. We are all a piece of a larger picture and we need to make sure we take care of each other.

I wish Maj. Gen. Cray and Lisa the best in their future endeavors. We have been blessed to have him as our Adjutant General through some challenging times. Please join me in congratulating them both on a wonderful and rewarding career. I look forward to working with you.

Brig. Gen. Gregory C. Knight, The Adjutant General

TAG Change of Command

Background photo: U.S. Army Col. Gregory Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, speaks to guests following a change of command ceremony on Camp Jonson, Colchester, Vt., March 8, 2019. Knight was elected to the position of Adjutant General by the Vermont legislature on February 21st.

U.S. Service members with the Joint Force Color Guard present the Colors through the playing of the National Anthem, during a change of command ceremony for the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard on Camp Jonson, Colchester, Vt., March 8, 2019. Following six years of command, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Cray relinquished command to U.S. Army Col. Gregory Knight.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, left, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, receives the Vermont Battle flag from U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Quick, Vermont National Senior Enlisted Leader, during a change of command ceremony for the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard on Camp Jonson, Colchester, Vt., March 8, 2019. Following six years of command, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Cray relinquished command to U.S. Army Col. Gregory Knight, whom was elected to the position by the Vermont legislature on February 21st.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott passes the Vermont Battle flag to U.S. Army Col. Gregory Knight, during a change of command ceremony for the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard on Camp Jonson, Colchester, Vt., March 8, 2019. Knight was elected to the position of Adjutant General by the Vermont legislature on February 21st.

U.S. Army Col. Gregory Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, passes the Vermont Battle flag, to U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Quick, Vermont National Senior Enlisted Leader, during a change of command ceremony for the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard on Camp Jonson, Colchester, Vt., March 8, 2019. Knight was elected to the position of Adjutant General by the Vermont legislature on February 21st.

U.S. Air Force Col. Henry Harder, vice wing commander, 158th Fighter Wing, introduces U.S. Army Col. Gregory Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, following a change of command ceremony on Camp Jonson, Colchester, Vt., March 8, 2019. Knight was elected to the position by the Vermont legislature on February 21st.

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, is recognized following a change of command ceremony on Camp Jonson, Colchester, Vt., March 8, 2019. Cray was honored for his 35 years of military service, to include his six years serving as the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard.

Vermont National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, distinguished visitors, families and friends, attend a change of command ceremony for the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard on Camp Jonson, Colchester, Vt., March 8, 2019. Following six years of command, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Cray relinquished command to U.S. Army Col. Gregory Knight, whom was elected to the position by the Vermont legislature on February 21st.

Photos by Master Sgt. Sarah Mattsion/State Public Affairs

March is Women's History Month

U.S Air Force Maj. Gen. Martha Rainville (Ret.) joined the Vermont National Guard's 158th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in 1988 and assumed command of it in 1992. In 1997, Rainville became the first woman in the nation’s history to command a state’s National Guard, in which she led over 3,800 Soldiers & Airmen. She served as Vermont's Adjutant General until her military retirement in 2006.

Promotion to Colonel

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tracey Poirier, incoming 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) commander, is promoted to the rank of Colonel, Northfield, Vt., March, 29, 2019. Poirier is the sixth woman to reach the rank of Colonel within the Vermont Army National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Officer Candidate Nathan Rivard)

VTANG F-16's and NHANG KC-135 Final Refuel

On March 5th the 158th Fighter Wing and the 157th Air Refueling Wing performed their last Joint Air to Air Refueling mission between the legacy F16's and the KC-135 aircraft. Both units are in a mission conversion to the F-35's and the KC-46's.

Secretary of the Army Visits the Vermont National Guard

Background Photo: Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper, greets Soldiers with the Vermont National Guard on Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 15, 2019. Esper visited with Knight and other senior leadership during a visit to Joint Force Headquarters of the Vermont National Guard.

U.S. Army Col. Gregory Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, speaks with Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper on Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 15, 2019. Esper visited with Knight and other senior leadership during a visit to Joint Force Headquarters of the Vermont National Guard.

Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper recognizes U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Damien Larose, Vermont Army National Guard, with the United States Army Safety Guardian Award, on Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 15, 2019. Larose was recognized for his actions during a life-threatening incident in which he rescued a woman from a house fire.

From Left: U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John Moore, Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard, Sgt. 1st Class Damien Larose, Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard, Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper and Col. Gregory Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, pose for a group photo on Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 15, 2019. Larose was recognized with the United States Army Safety Guardian Award for his actions during a life-threatening incident in which he rescued a woman from a house fire.

Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper meets with Vermont National Guard Soldiers during a roundtable event on Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 15, 2019. Esper met with Soldiers and senior leadership during a visit to Joint Force Headquarters of the Vermont National Guard.

Photos by Master Sgt. Sarah Mattison/State Public Affairs

Secretary of the Army Visits Army Mountain Warfare School

Background Photo: Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper observes Soldiers climbing an ice wall at the Army Mountain Warfare School on Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 16, 2019. Esper was able to observe and visit with students currently in the both the Basic Military Mountaineering Course and Advanced Military Mountaineering Course.

Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper discusses different types of climbing equipment with U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Max Rooney, left, an instructor, and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Pileggi, right, a supply sergeant, both with the Army Mountain Warfare School on Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 16, 2019. Esper visited with both cadre and students, while observing training of both the Basic Military Mountaineering Course and Advanced Military Mountaineering Course currently in session.

Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper observes a Soldier preparing his gear in order to climb an ice wall at the Army Mountain Warfare School on Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 16, 2019. Esper was able to observe and visit with students currently in the both the Basic Military Mountaineering Course and Advanced Military Mountaineering Course.

Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper climbs an ice wall at the Army Mountain Warfare School on Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 16, 2019. Esper was able to observe and visit with students currently in the both the Basic Military Mountaineering Course and Advanced Military Mountaineering Course.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Timothy MCLaughlin, left and Staff Sgt. Nick Ash, both instructors with the Army Mountain Warfare School, speak with Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper at the Army Mountain Warfare School on Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 16, 2019. Esper was able to observe and visit with students currently in the both the Basic Military Mountaineering Course and Advanced Military Mountaineering Course.

Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper and Staff Sgt. Bo Willoughby, an instructor at the Army Mountain Warfare School, watch Soldiers train on Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 16, 2019. Esper was able to observe and visit with students currently in the both the Basic Military Mountaineering Course and Advanced Military Mountaineering Course.

Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper takes a selfie with Soldiers at the Army Mountain Warfare School on Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 16, 2019. Esper visited with students currently in the both the Basic Military Mountaineering Course and Advanced Military Mountaineering Course.

Photos by Master Sgt. Sarah Mattison/State Public Affairs

Featured MOS: 12B, Combat Engineers

Soldiers with the 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), recently conducted training on Camp Ethan Allen Training Site. This included breaching an obstacle, using an improvised Bangalore charge, and creating a safe lane for the infantry to pass through.

North Macedonia Chief of Defense Visits Vermont

Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski, Chief of the General Staff, Army of the Republic of North Macedonia recently visited Vermont. During his visit, he met with the outgoing Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, as well as the incoming Adjutant General, Col. Greg Knight. He later visited the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site to see Colonel Nate Lord, Commander of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, as well as the Garrison Support Command's Range Division. The Vermont-North Macedonia partnership is in it's 25th year. A quarter century of cooperation, of over 1000 events and interaction of over 5,000 Soldiers.

VTANG's March Edition of "ON DRILL"

VTNG Soldiers Train in North Macedonia

Background Photo: U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, answer the call for fire during mounted gunnery range qualifications at the Krivolak Training Area, North Macedonia, March 6, 2019. The Soldiers are currently deployed in neighboring Kosovo as part of the Kosovo Force Peacekeeping mission.

U.S. Army Sgt. Seth Benyea and Sgt. Shane Bouthillette both with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), review the range layout at the Krivolak Training Area in North Macedonia March 7, 2019. Both Soldiers are evaluating the Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

U.S. Army Sgt. Shane Bouthillette and Staff Sgt. Dorian Quarmby, both with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), act as crew evaluators at Krivolak Training Area in North Macedonia, March 7, 2019. They are scoring Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, who are completing their mounted gunnery qualification.

Soldiers assigned to 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, answer the call for fire at the Krivolak Training Area in North Macedonia March 6, 2019. The Soldiers are currently deployed in neighboring Kosovo as part of the KFOR Peacekeeping mission.

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Alvarez/State Public Affairs

Between Two Frames

Join us again for Between 2 Frames, where we are looking into some of the supply and equipment changes as we convert from the F-16 to the F-35 airframe.

Appreciate