Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Vermont Soldiers hone mountain skills with Saudi Special Forces By Joshua Cohen,
                Joint Force Headquarters - Vermont National Guard Public Affairs
 COLCHESTER, Vt. - For the first time, a conventional U.S. Army National Guard unit trained with Royal Saudi Land Forces Special Forces instructors at the Royal Saudi Land Forces Mountain Warfare School in Saudi Arabia. During multiple weeklong training iterations in October and November, approximately 70 Task Force Avalanche Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 172 Infantry (Mountain), and 30 RSLF Soldiers sharpened their mountain warfare skills. Maj. Garion Ford, Task Force Avalanche’s operation officer, said training included mountain casualty evacuation, fixed rope and cliff traverse, rappelling, and tactical situation training. During the exercises, Soldiers of both nations fully integrated. “The training was fantastic on both sides, and we stationed three linguists at the RSLF Mountain Warfare School to build rapport with our hosts,” Ford said. “Our linguists did amazing work and even participated in the training.” Ford credited Capt. Robert Dorey, the task force’s liaison, and lead climb leader Sgt. 1st Class William Thibeault for their efforts during the training. “Their ability to develop relationships with our hosts helped with this being the first time a conventional U.S. unit had trained in concert with the RSLF SF at their school,” he said. The Soldiers of Task Force Avalanche enjoyed the training. “It was hands-down an amazing experience to train with the Saudi Arabian force and see how they do their training,” said Staff Sgt. Alan Bouffard, multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer, HHC 3-172 IN (MTN). “They also got to see how we do things, and training together was one of the highlights of my deployment.” While the training took place at the mountain school, Ford said Task Force Avalanche Soldiers provided advice on mountain techniques requiring less equipment that was easier to use. “We try to carry very little specialized equipment and what we do carry should have more than one function to cut down on weight carried by Soldiers,” Ford said. This training was also beneficial for U.S. Army Soldiers who had not been to the Vermont mountain warfare school yet. “This was a great experience to learn these skills before attending our Mountain Warfare School in Jericho,” said Bouffard. “I’ve wanted to attend the course in Vermont for a while, and doing this here will be a benefit when I can attend in the future.” Ford said the initial training at the mountain school leads the way for follow-on units to continue building relationships with RSLF Soldiers. “This training event showcased our people as Soldier diplomats building and strengthening the ties between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Ford.”  “It was a great training cycle to refresh our mountain skills.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Vermont Army National Guard
 Mountain warfare training
 
 Vermont National Guard Engineers Train with North Macedonia
 By Sgt. Denis Nunez,
  New York Guard Participates in Exercise Guerrier Nordique
 By Master Sgt. Patrick Espeut,
  Vermont Army Guard hosts mountain warfare course in Djibouti
 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Stock,
  More
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 19 hours ago
 Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match Guard News • yesterday
 West Virginia Air National Guard Wing Conducts ’Super Drill’ Guard News • yesterday
 Idaho Medical Airmen Train in Field to Boost Readiness Guard News • 2 days ago
 Alaska Air National Guard rescues 6 plane crash victims Guard News • 2 days ago
 2024 (189)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil