COLCHESTER, Vt. – Vermont National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supporting Vermont’s COVID-19 response mission officially end orders July 1.
The first mission began March 23, 2020, when Soldiers established a medical surge facility in Barre and Airmen began logistical operations at the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
“Since the start of the pandemic, Vermont’s National Guard has stepped up to serve, always willing to go the extra mile for their fellow Vermonters,” said Gov. Phil Scott. “They stepped up and were instrumental in many efforts, and without their support, Vermont would not have had the nation-leading response that we did. I join countless Vermonters in expressing my gratitude for their dedication.”
During the COVID-19 response, the Vermont National Guard collected 34,314 test samples, administered 80,154 vaccinations, made 27,000 close-contact calls, shipped 3 million sample kits, shipped 13.6 million items from the SNS, and delivered 2,931,698 meals.
“The past two years have really shown what our Guard is capable of,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the adjutant general for the Vermont National Guard. “Not only were we able to fully support Vermont’s historic response to the pandemic, but we were also able to concurrently plan for and execute our federal missions – both Air and Army National Guard. I was, and am, truly amazed at the professionalism and ability of our service members to execute at every level, from planning to execution.”
Throughout the COVID-19 response, the Vermont National Guard sent Soldiers to Washington, D.C., to support Capitol security, deployed more than 900 Soldiers, and most recently, deployed nearly 250 Airmen in support of federal missions — all while continuing regular training and operations.