Vermont National Guard

Vermont National Guard
Unit name	Vermont National Guard
Dates	1764–present
Country	United States
Branch	Vermont Army National Guard; Vermont Air National Guard
Type	National Guard
Role	State and federal missions
Size	Approx. 4,500 (varies)
Garrison	Burlington, Vermont
Commander1	Governor of Vermont
Commander1 label	Civilian leadership
Commander2	Adjutant General of Vermont

Vermont National Guard is the combined Vermont Army National Guard and Vermont Air National Guard force serving both state and federal authorities. Its lineage traces to colonial militia units raised in the 18th century and it has provided forces for conflicts ranging from the American Revolutionary War to recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Guard supports state emergency response, federal deployments under United States Department of Defense authority, and community missions in Montpelier, Vermont and across New England.

History

Vermont militia roots date to the militia laws of the Province of New Hampshire and the territorial New Hampshire Grants era, with early service in actions near Fort Ticonderoga and during the American Revolutionary War under leaders such as Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. Post-Revolution, Vermont units participated in the War of 1812 and later in the American Civil War where Vermonters served in regiments like the 1st Vermont Brigade and officers including George J. Stannard saw action at the Battle of Gettysburg. During the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War Vermont units were federalized alongside state militias from across New England. Twentieth-century mobilizations included World War I service with the 95th Division and World War II deployments attached to formations such as the 43rd Infantry Division. Cold War missions involved training and readiness under the National Guard Bureau while units mobilized for the Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terror mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Organization and Structure

The Guard operates under dual state-federal status defined by the United States Constitution and statutes such as the Militia Act of 1903 and the National Defense Act of 1916, administered through the Adjutant General office of Vermont and coordinated with the Department of Defense and the National Guard Bureau. Command relationships flow from the Governor of Vermont to the Adjutant General for state duties, while federal mobilization places units under combatant commands such as United States Central Command or United States Northern Command. The force structure integrates Army and Air components, with staff elements for operations, logistics, personnel, and medical support modeled on United States Army and United States Air Force lines.

Components and Units

Primary components include the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) elements historically tied to Vermont, the 124th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard based at Burlington International Airport, and specialized units such as the Company C, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment and engineering, signal, and maintenance detachments. Aviation elements and support units provide domestic response capability; medical detachments coordinate with agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for disaster response. Training centers and armories in towns like Rutland, Vermont, Brattleboro, Vermont, and Bennington, Vermont host readiness activities, annual training, and joint exercises with neighboring state National Guards and federal forces.

Roles and Missions

State missions include domestic emergency response for natural disasters such as winter storms and floods affecting the Connecticut River valley, humanitarian assistance following events like Hurricane Irene (2011), and security support for special events in Montpelier, Vermont and Burlington, Vermont. Federal missions have encompassed combat deployments to theaters under United States Central Command, stability operations with NATO partners including forces from United Kingdom and Canada, and peacekeeping or training missions coordinated with organizations like the International Security Assistance Force. Civil support roles involve coordination with state agencies and participation in interagency exercises with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services for pandemic response.

Notable Operations and Deployments

Notable historical deployments include Vermont regiments at the Battle of Plattsburgh in the War of 1812 era, Civil War engagements at Gettysburg and the Overland Campaign, and World War II campaigns in the Pacific and European theaters. Modern deployments feature Vermont soldiers and airmen mobilized for operations in Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), support to homeland security operations following the September 11 attacks, and domestic response to Hurricane Irene (2011). The Vermont Air National Guard has executed air defense missions under North American Aerospace Defense Command and provided aerial refueling and tactical airlift in support of U.S. and allied operations.

Awards and Honors

Units and personnel of the Guard have received campaign streamers and decorations tied to service in the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, and modern campaigns such as Operation Iraqi Freedom. Individual Vermonters have been awarded honors including the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and service medals authorized by the Department of Defense. State-level recognitions and proclamations from the Governor of Vermont and legislative resolutions have honored mobilization service and community response contributions during events like Hurricane Irene (2011) and pandemic assistance operations.

Category:Military units and formations in Vermont Category:National Guard (United States)