Members of the Vermont National Guard are preparing to deploy to Germany as part of an ongoing mission to train Ukrainian soldiers.The Vermont National Guard held a deployment ceremony at Camp Johnson in Colchester on Monday afternoon to honor the members of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who are deploying overseas this week.The guard members of the 86th IBCT (Mountain) will be heading to Grafenwoehr, Germany, where they will help the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine train members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A mission that has trained the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2015.Around 140 members of the Vermont Army National Guard are preparing to deploy to Germany. The ceremony brought together military leaders, elected officials and family members to recognize the soldiers’ service ahead of their overseas mission. “These soldiers will be engaged in training Ukrainian military, helping to build their capability, their capacity, and their expertise,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont’s adjutant general. “I can think of no better unit and no better leaders to make that happen.”Col. Frank Tantillo, commander of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, emphasized the importance of the deployment for both international partners and the soldiers themselves.“This mission matters not only to our allies and partners, but to our own readiness, credibility, and responsibility as soldiers,” Tantillo said.One of the most symbolic moments of the ceremony was the handoff of the Vermont battle flag, marking the brigade’s responsibility as it prepares to deploy.The 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is headquartered in Vermont and includes units from six states. The soldiers are expected to deploy later this week and return in November 2026.
Members of the Vermont National Guard are preparing to deploy to Germany as part of an ongoing mission to train Ukrainian soldiers.
The Vermont National Guard held a deployment ceremony at Camp Johnson in Colchester on Monday afternoon to honor the members of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who are deploying overseas this week.
The guard members of the 86th IBCT (Mountain) will be heading to Grafenwoehr, Germany, where they will help the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine train members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A mission that has trained the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2015.
Around 140 members of the Vermont Army National Guard are preparing to deploy to Germany.
The ceremony brought together military leaders, elected officials and family members to recognize the soldiers’ service ahead of their overseas mission.
“These soldiers will be engaged in training Ukrainian military, helping to build their capability, their capacity, and their expertise,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont’s adjutant general. “I can think of no better unit and no better leaders to make that happen.”
Col. Frank Tantillo, commander of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, emphasized the importance of the deployment for both international partners and the soldiers themselves.
“This mission matters not only to our allies and partners, but to our own readiness, credibility, and responsibility as soldiers,” Tantillo said.
One of the most symbolic moments of the ceremony was the handoff of the Vermont battle flag, marking the brigade’s responsibility as it prepares to deploy.
The 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is headquartered in Vermont and includes units from six states.
The soldiers are expected to deploy later this week and return in November 2026.