Northern Lightning: Over 250 Airman to Train at Volk Field Wis.

Photo By Master Sgt. Ryan Campbell | Airmen assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, deploy to Volk Field, Wisc. for Operation Northern Lightning, Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vt., Aug. 3rd, 2020. A C-130 assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, California Air National Guard, flew the Green Mountain Boys to partake in a month long exercise where they will train on combat operations involving the F-35A Lightning II. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Campbell)  

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT, UNITED STATES

08.04.2020

Story by Capt. J. Scott Detweiler 

Joint Force Headquarters - Vermont National Guard Public Affairs

Adjutant General of Vermont – State Public Affairs Officer
789 Vermont National Guard Road – Colchester, VT 05446-3004
[phone] DSN: 636-3478 FAX: [phone] DSN: 636-3247
PAO: CPT Mike Arcovitch [phone], BB [phone]

TAG Release 20-16

Tuesday, August 4, 2020
PAO: Capt. Mike Arcovitch
PHONE: [phone]
BB: [phone]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Northern Lightning: Over 250 Airman to Train at Volk Field Wis.

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt.  Airmen, aircraft and support equipment from the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, began departing on August 3rd to train at the Volk Field Air National Guard base, Wis. This two-week exercise, known as Northern Lightning, will be conducted in a joint training environment, which places emphasis on the integration of 4th generation aircraft, like the F-18 Hornet, and 5th generation aircraft, like the F-35 Lightning II.

“The main focus of Northern Lightning is on large force employment training with multiple platforms, targeting high-value targets in a contested environment,” said Lt. Col. Adam Nichols, the 158th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. “This is a key exercise on our road to combat readiness.”

As military technology continues to advance in the 21st century battlespace, joint exercises like Northern Lightning provide combat-based scenarios that help prepare Airmen at a tactical level for real world missions when deployed.

“We, the Green Mountain Boys, are excited for this opportunity to attend the Northern Lightning Exercise,” said Senior Master Sgt. Tina Deep, the 158th Maintenance Group weapons element supervisor. “This training will expand our knowledge and help us continue to grow together as a new F-35 unit.”

Due to the Northern Lightning exercise, locally scheduled F-35 flying operations at the Vermont Air National Guard base are not scheduled to occur from August 8-20.

If you would like more information please contact the Vermont National Guard State Public Affairs Office through Capt. Scott Detweiler, [e-mail], 802-338-3434, or Lt. Nathan Rivard, [e-mail], 802-338-3324.

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• Date Taken: 08.04.2020
• Date Posted: 08.04.2020 16:04
• Story ID: 375271
• Location: SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT, US