News from the Oklahoma National Guard

OK Army Guard Soldiers compete in the Sergeant Major's and Governor's Twenty Marksmanship Competition
September 28, 2023 — The Oklahoma Army National Guard’s top marksmen were locked, loaded and aimed for excellence for the Sergeant Major’s Match and Governor’s Twenty marksmanship competition, Sept. 14-17... MORE

Capt. Erik Mortenson, commander of A Troop, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, fires at silhouette targets with his M17 pistol during the Sergeant Major’s Match and Governor’s Twenty Marksman Competition at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, Sept. 14, 2023. The Sergeant Major’s Match and Governor’s Twenty bring together Soldiers from across the state and tests their weapons skills to earn the coveted Governor’s Twenty tab. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Tyler Brahic).

Oklahoma Army National Guard holds first Wildland Firefighting Course
September 21, 2023 — Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers braved the sweltering summer heat and completed the Oklahoma Army National Guard's first-ever Wildland Firefighting course held at Camp Gruber Training Center, Aug. 21-25, 2023... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers light a backfire during the Wildland Firefighting Course at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, Aug. 21, 2023. Soldiers volunteered for the course to earn their Red Card Certification and have the knowledge and experience to respond to wildfire incidents both in state and around the nation. (Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma National Guard members conclude border support mission
August 31, 2023 — Fifty Oklahoma National Guard members who deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border in support of the Texas Military Department’s Operation Lone Star returned to Oklahoma on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guardsman, Spc. Evann Paulsen, member of 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, performs border operations along the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, August 16, 2023. Approximately 50 Soldiers and Airmen are assisting the Texas National Guard with border security by manning security points to identify and alert local law enforcement of any illegal immigrant or drug trafficking activities. The deployment is expected to last through the end of August with a follow-on deployment of an additional 50 Soldiers and Airmen sometime in 2024. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

OK Guard deploys helicopter and crew to battle wildfires in Louisiana
August 25, 2023 — The Oklahoma National Guard deployed one CH-47 Chinook helicopter and five aircrew members to Louisiana today to battle wildfires there. ... MORE

An Oklahoma Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter crew fills a water bucket during wildfire fighting training in August 2015. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Bruce)

138th Fighter Wing medical Airmen MARCH to casualty care
August 25, 2023 — Loud booms can be heard all over the training field located in Perry, Florida. Personnel are scattered all over the facility, covered in fake blood, dirt, and simulated injuries. Smoke is drifting in the air, wavering as Airmen from the 138th Fighter Wing run onto the scene... MORE

Airmen from the 138th Medical Group participate in a simulated combat environment as part of their final test in completing Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Tier 2 in Perry, Fla., July 20, 2023. Smoke grenades and fake rounds were fired to simulate a deployed environment so Airmen could learn how to handle themselves and remain focused on the mission at hand – caring for personnel and casualties. (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes)

From Highschool Pals to Hometown Heroes: Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers Story of Friendship
August 24, 2023 — In a heartwarming display of camaraderie, two Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers and McLoud, Oklahoma High School graduates have found themselves side by side once again, this time on a mission assisting the State of Texas with security along the US-Mexico border... MORE

Spc. Darrell Casey and Sgt. Sean Simpson, both McLoud, Oklahoma High School graduates serving as cannon crewmembers with the 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, pose for a photo together while on patrol along the US-Mexico border on Aug. 4, 2023. The two friends are part of the Oklahoma National Guard task force deployed to the border in support of the Texas Military Department's Operation Lonestar. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

63rd Civil Support Team trains alongside Yukon first responders
August 22, 2023 — Members of the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team train alongside the Yukon Police Department and Yukon Fire Department during an exercise held in Yukon, Oklahoma, Tuesday, August 8, 2023... MORE

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team train alongside the Yukon Police Department and Yukon Fire Department during an exercise held in Yukon, Oklahoma, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.

63rd Civil Support Team conducts swift water training
August 5, 2023 — Members of the Oklahoma National Guard’s 63rd Civil Support Team trained with Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training and Oklahoma City Fire Department on flood rescue response at Riversport Rescue Training in Oklahoma City, Aug. 2, 2023. The training focused on providing a wide range of advanced rescue techniques to reduce risk during a response... MORE

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard’s 63rd Civil Support Team trained with Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training and Oklahoma City Fire Department on flood rescue response at Riversport Rescue Training in Oklahoma City, Aug. 2, 2023. The training focused on providing a wide range of advanced rescue techniques to reduce risk during a response. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Mireille Merilice-Roberts)

137 SOW ANG Airmen premier at Tradewinds 2023
August 3, 2023 — Nine Airmen from the 137th Special Operations Wing participated in TRADEWINDS 23 Exercise, a multi-domain U.S. Southern Command exercise, for the first time July 15-27, 2023, in Guyana... MORE

Individual Weapons Qual tips with the Small Arms Training Team
July 27, 2023 — Sgt. Reece Heck talks with the Oklahoma Army National Guard's Small Arms Teams member Sgt. Brian Stuart about the newly updated Individual Weapons Qualification, focusing primarily on the Table VI "Qualification" portion. Stuart walks Heck through each position and includes tips and tricks for Soldiers qualifying... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team fire their assigned weapons during a qualification event at Fort Indiantown Gap, March 9, 2023. Qualifying on assigned weapons annually helps Soldiers stay ready to defend themselves in combat. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell)

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert

Day Four: National Guard Region V Best Warrior Competition

Oklahoma National Guard

May 15, 2025 | 0:45

Video Reel: Sixteen miles. No shortcuts.

Every step tested resolve, but our warriors pressed on through the early morning with grit in their boots. This is what elite looks like.