Hank Harder Named Vermont National Guard Adjutant General Amid Iran War

New Vermont National Guard Leader Sworn In Amidst War Concerns

Maj. Gen. Henry “Hank” Harder took command of the Vermont National Guard Saturday, March 7, 2026, during a ceremony at the 158th Fighter Wing in South Burlington. He succeeds Maj. Gen. Gregory C. Knight, who is retiring after seven years as adjutant general.

Harder assumes leadership of the roughly 2,700-member Guard at a time of increased overseas deployments. This week, it was confirmed that members of the Vermont Air National Guard are participating in the U.S. War in Iran, a conflict that has drawn criticism from Vermont’s congressional delegation, who argue it is unconstitutional.

A recent survey indicated that 64% of Vermont respondents oppose the U.S. Attack on Iran.

Prior to this appointment, Harder served as assistant adjutant general for air before retiring from that role in August 2025. His military career includes flying combat missions in Iraq with the Guard’s 134th Fighter Squadron. He was elected by the Vermont Legislature as the new leader of the Guard in February.

Knight’s tenure as adjutant general included overseeing the Guard’s response to the pandemic, numerous overseas deployments, and significant infrastructure investments at Guard facilities throughout the state.

More than 300 people, including Gov. Phil Scott, attended Saturday’s change-of-command ceremony.

Harder’s path to leadership reflects a long history of service. According to a biography on Wikipedia, he was born in 1965 in Greenwich, Connecticut, and graduated from St. George’s School in Middletown, Rhode Island, in 1983. He has served continuously in the United States Air Force since 1989, holding various command positions within the Vermont Air National Guard, including Flight Commander, 134th Fighter Squadron, and leadership roles within the 158th Fighter Wing.

The Vermont Legislature elected Harder over Col. Roger “Brent” Zeigler on February 19, 2026, in a vote of 147-23. The Guard has recently been involved in federal missions, including a deployment to the Caribbean related to tensions with Venezuela, and the current participation in the war in Iran, according to reporting from VTDigger and The War Zone.

Harder’s family background includes notable figures in business and society. His father was the president and CEO of Chubb & Son, and his maternal grandparents were Isabel Rockefeller Lincoln and Frederic W. Lincoln IV.