Vt. National Guard plans night flights this week and next

January 17, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout

An F-35A Lightning II departs from the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington during a routine night training mission in November 2021. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Julie M. Paroline

The Vermont Air National Guard announced today that it will conduct night training flights this week through Friday and again next week, Tuesday-Friday, Jan. 24-27. 

There will be two takeoff and landing periods scheduled between 1 and 8 p.m. and no morning flights planned, according to the announcement.

Col. Michael Blair, 158th Fighter Wing Operations Group Commander, said that night flying is a critical component of the guard’s mission. “This training ensures that our aircrews are fully prepared to operate in all conditions,” he said. “We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our community.”

Airmen of the 158th Fighter Wing conduct training in day and nighttime conditions to meet federal training requirements and maintain the skills necessary to accomplish the variety of missions assigned to the Air Force’s F-35 fighter aircraft.

Information about the F-35 flying schedule, efforts to balance the impact on the communities and more is available online at vtguard.com/f35.