Vermont Air National Guard’s South Burlington base reopens for public tours

July 24, 2021  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

Children from a local scout group along with adults look into a munitions bunker during a group tour of the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington during a June 18 tour 2021. The visit covered a variety of base missions including the fire department, explosive ordnance disposal, munitions, security forces, and a question-and-answer session with an F-35 pilot alongside one of the fighter aircraft. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Richard D. Mekkri

U.S. Air Force Capt. Roberto Mercado, a pilot assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron, 158th Fighter Wing, answers a question during a group tour of the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington, on June 18. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Richard D. Mekkri

A child from a local scout group looks at an explosive ordnance disposal device during a group tour of the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington last month. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Richard D. Mekkri

SOUTH BURLINGTON – The Vermont Air National Guard has resumed its public tours at its base adjacent to Burlington International Airport in South Burlington.

“We’re very excited to provide an opportunity for community members to visit the base and get an up-close look at some of our missions,” said Col Adam Rice, 158th Vice Wing Commander. “After having the base mostly closed to the public for so long, it’s nice to be able to interact again.”

The first tour held in June walked visitors through several areas including the fire department, explosive ordnance disposal, munitions, and security. It also included a discussion with an F-35 pilot near one of the fighter aircraft. 

Participants at the June tour including youngsters were allowed to climb onto fire trucks and tour the fire station, try on military protective suits, explore a Humvee, and talk with an F-35 pilot. 

Vermont Air Guard now has 20 F-35s that replaced a previous fleet of F-16 fighter jets from fall 2019 through October 2020. The aircraft and the guard’s training flights have been at the center of public debate regarding the noise they generate in comparison to the previous aircraft. 

Tours are limited to 40 participants and are scheduled monthly through the fall, with the next two on Aug. 20 and Sept. 17 as long as public health guidance with regard to COVID-19 continues to allow for gatherings. 

The Aug. 20 tour will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Those age 18 and older looking to sign up must fill out a form and email it back by Aug. 5 to the email address 158FW.PA.PublicAffairs@us.af.mil. Forms need to be returned by Sept. 2 for the Sept. 17 tour. Forms are not needed for those age 17 and younger who just need to be signed up with a name. Tours are open to all ages but are best suited for school-age children and older. The tours are free and will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis.  

In addition, attendees should know that all vehicles will be searched prior to admission to the base for the tours. Firearms, ammunition and other weapons, open alcohol containers, and federally banned substances (such as marijuana) are prohibited on base. Personal photography is allowed for most of the tour.

For more information on the public tour program, email 158FW.PA.PublicAffairs@us.af.mil.