Vermont Air National Guard Jets Now Flying Caribbean Missions 500 Miles from Venezuela

From Roosevelt Roads, Vermont’s F-35s can conduct missions deep into Venezuelan airspace and return without requiring aerial refueling, according to technical specifications

Fighter jets from Vermont’s Air National Guard are now operating from a reactivated naval base in Puerto Rico, positioning the Burlington-based unit within striking distance of Venezuela as part of a significant U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean.

The 158th Fighter Wing—known as the “Green Mountain Boys”—has deployed F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters to Roosevelt Roads in eastern Puerto Rico, approximately 500 nautical miles from the Venezuelan coast. The deployment places Vermont’s Guard members at the operational center of what the Pentagon has designated Operation Southern Spear.

What Operation Southern Spear Involves

The operation represents a major escalation of U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, combining naval blockade enforcement with air superiority missions. U.S. forces are targeting what officials describe as a “dark fleet” of oil tankers suspected of evading sanctions, with at least two vessels seized in recent weeks.

The military assets now concentrated in the region include the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, multiple destroyer and amphibious assault ships, and expanded air power that now totals 20 F-35 fighters—with Vermont’s aircraft representing a significant portion of that force.

Why Vermont’s F-35s Were Called Up

The Vermont Air National Guard unit holds a distinction that made it particularly valuable for this deployment: the 158th Fighter Wing was the first Air National Guard unit in the nation to receive the F-35A, demonstrating high readiness levels.

The F-35A variant flown by Vermont pilots offers specific capabilities that complement the Marine Corps F-35B aircraft already operating from amphibious ships in the region. Vermont’s aircraft can carry larger weapons—including 2,000-pound bombs capable of striking hardened targets—and can fly approximately 669 nautical miles on internal fuel, compared to the shorter-range Marine variant.

From Roosevelt Roads, Vermont’s F-35s can conduct missions deep into Venezuelan airspace and return without requiring aerial refueling, according to technical specifications in military planning documents.

The Venezuelan Response

Venezuela has characterized the U.S. buildup as preparation for invasion. President Nicolás Maduro activated “Plan Independencia 200”, announcing the mobilization of nearly 200,000 troops and militia members. The Venezuelan government has also conducted large-scale military exercises focused on coastal defense and protecting oil infrastructure.

The Venezuelan military possesses Russian-made air defense systems, including long-range S-300 missiles and Su-30 fighter aircraft, creating what military analysts describe as the most sophisticated air defense network in Latin America. The deployment of U.S. stealth aircraft appears designed specifically to counter these systems.

Roosevelt Roads Reactivated

The operation marks the reactivation of Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, a facility in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, that was closed in 2004. Once the largest U.S. naval facility by land area, the base is being used as what military officials call a “forward logistics hub”—meaning it can sustain extended combat operations with munitions, fuel, and maintenance support.

The base’s location offers significant advantages over facilities in Florida, reducing the distance to potential operational areas by approximately 700 miles and allowing aircraft to spend more time on patrol or mission rather than traveling to and from their targets.

Governor Scott: No State Control Over Federal Deployment

Vermont Governor Phil Scott clarified that he lacks authority over this deployment because Guard members are operating under federal Title 10 orders rather than state activation. This distinction means the unit is functioning as part of the active-duty U.S. Air Force rather than under state command.

The deployment has highlighted tensions between state and federal control of National Guard units when they’re called up for overseas operations beyond the governor’s jurisdiction.

The Broader Military Picture

Beyond Vermont’s fighters, the Caribbean deployment includes the carrier strike group centered on USS Gerald R. Ford, an amphibious ready group carrying approximately 2,200 Marines aboard USS Iwo Jima and supporting vessels, and multiple destroyers and cruisers enforcing the maritime operations.

The Pentagon has also reported conducting 21 kinetic strikes on what officials describe as “narco-terrorist vessels,” resulting in approximately 82 to 100 deaths. Venezuelan officials have disputed U.S. characterizations of the targets.

Adding an international dimension to the crisis, a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 heavy transport aircraft landed in Caracas after taking a circuitous route through Africa to avoid closed Western airspace. The cargo plane, operated by a sanctioned Russian company, subsequently flew to Cuba and Nicaragua before returning to Venezuela.

What Happens Next

The duration of Vermont’s Guard deployment remains unspecified. Military operations of this scale typically involve rotational assignments, with units serving for defined periods before being replaced, though the timeline can extend based on operational requirements.

The immediate focus appears to be maintaining the blockade and air superiority posture rather than offensive strike operations. However, the concentration of advanced military assets—including Vermont’s stealth fighters—positions the U.S. to rapidly escalate operations if the situation deteriorates.

For Vermont families with Guard members deployed to the Caribbean, the operation represents a significant shift from the traditional view of the National Guard as a strategic reserve, placing state-based units at the forefront of federal military operations in a region where tensions remain elevated.