Soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard have been notified they will likely be part of another overseas deployment in 2021.
Hundreds of Vermont troops are expected to be part of the deployment of an estimated 2,500 soldiers from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain). That unit is made up of soldiers from Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
The 86th IBCT recently completed a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation in May.
Vermonters from two smaller units, the 172nd Public Affairs Detachment and the 172nd Law Enforcement Detachment, were also notified Tuesday they would likely be deployed.
While their exact location was not disclosed, troops will be participating in several theaters under the U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command and U.S. African Command, according to the Vermont Guard.
Adjutant General Greg Knight said the deployment is expected to last 12 months.
In a Facebook posting, Knight encouraged members — he said they were well prepared and that all the training, including sometimes extra days, had been worth it.
“I know you’re ready. Your leaders know you’re ready. And most of all, you know you’re ready. I’m proud of each and every one of you. it’s time to get to work. Let’s put the Vermonters ahead,” Knight said on Facebook.
Knight noted deployments can be difficult on families but said the troops were needed and “supporting something bigger than any one of us.” He also said enough troops would stay home to take care of emergencies, including national disasters like flooding, and that other state national guards would assist if needed.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, Vermont Air and Army National Guard service members have performed missions in support of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom.
More than 3,000 Vermont military personnel have fought in the global war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Forty have been killed in combat and scores have been injured. Most recently, about 70 Guard members were deployed to the Middle East for a year to provide air ambulance service and evacuations on the battlefield. Those troops came home this spring. No deaths or injuries were reported.
“This notification of sourcing is the direct result of the hard work soldiers have put in the last few years,” Col. Nathan Lord, commander of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), said in a statement. “Being ready for our nation’s call has been part of our heritage, and this is no different.”
“The Vermont Army National Guard has consistently answered the call to the federal and state mission year in and year out. We have trained hard, and are ready to take on this mission,” said Brig. Gen. Richard Lebel, land component commander, Vermont Army National Guard. “I am so proud of the work and accomplishments of our Soldiers — this deployment is a testament to their abilities and successes.”
