News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Specialized Oklahoma National Guard unit hosts fentanyl training
November 4, 2022 — The Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team partnered with FBI, DEA agents to host fentanyl training for local law enforcement agencies in October. ... MORE

Over the last 10 years the Center of Disease Control and Prevention has noticed an increase of opioid and Fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States per year from approximately 2,600 to more than 75,000.

With the Fentanyl threat entering Oklahoma’s borders, the Oklahoma National Guard’s 63rd Civil Support Team and the Oklahoma City Police Department arranged specialized training in October at the Oklahoma City Police and Fire Training Center in Oklahoma City in order to learn from subject matter experts with both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as share knowledge and discuss how to best combat the drug. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Haden Tolbert)

137 SOLRS supports passenger, cargo movement in total force operation
October 31, 2022 — In a total force partnership, the 137th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron and five members of the 321st Contingency Readiness Squadron partnered to conduct passenger and cargo movement, working with Joint Base Charleston active and Reserve aircrew to load a C-17 Globemaster III... MORE

a C-17 Globemaster III is refueled on an airfield while receiving cargo

Medal of Honor recipient, former Oklahoma National Guard member returns home
October 28, 2022 — Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee, a Medal of Honor recipient and US Army Special Forces Soldier who started his career with the Oklahoma Army National Guard, returned to Oklahoma for the first time since being presented our nation's highest honor. ... MORE

Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee, a Medal of Honor recipient, speaks with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt about his Oklahoma roots and military experience during a visit to Manuel Perez Park in Oklahoma City, Oct. 19, 2022. Plumlee, a native Oklahoman, toured his home state Oct. 18-22. During his visit he met with Holt at Manuel Perez Park, a park honoring Manuel Perez Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient from Oklahoma City, and other Oklahomans who have received our nation's highest military honor. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guard hosts cyber security exchange with Azerbaijan military officers
October 17, 2022 — As global challenges evolve, strategists are turning their attention to cyberspace and developing the tactics, techniques and procedures to safeguard our tomorrows, today. That focus on cyber security served as the backdrop of the latest Oklahoma National Guard – Azerbaijan military knowledge exchange where the Oklahoma National Guard hosted three cyber security officers from the Azerbaijan army in late September... MORE

Cyber security officers from the Azerbaijan army listen to a presentation by an Oklahoma Air National Guard member during a cyber security knowledge exchange hosted by the Oklahoma National Guard at the Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma National Guard hosted a multi-day exchange focused on building cooperation between the two partners. (Photo provided by Lt. Col. Sharon McCarty)

137th AES trains alongside Air Force total force, ROTC partners
October 17, 2022 — Members of the 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES), Oklahoma National Guard, participated in a total force training event alongside active-duty counterparts with the 375th Air Mobility Wing and Air Force Reserve Airmen with the 514th Air Mobility Wing Sept. 17, 2022, Oklahoma City. They conducted training on a C-17 Globemaster III flight and flew alongside Air Force ROTC cadets from Oklahoma State University who participated in some of the scenarios... MORE

an airman directs Air Force ROTC cadets acting as litter bearers

Oklahoma Guardsmen assist Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics with Counter Drug Operations
October 14, 2022 — Members of the Oklahoma National Guard supported the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs during a state-wide operation to curb the supply of illegally grown marijuana, Sept. 27-Oct. 7. More than 30 Airmen and Soldiers volunteered for the joint Oklahoma Air and Army National Guard state active duty mission to collect, transport and prepare more than 75,000 plants seized in the ONB-lead operation for destruction... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard members assist with Regional Emergency Medical Services System training event
September 28, 2022 — Medical professionals with the Oklahoma National Guard mentored more than 170 emergency medical technicians, highway patrol medics, and firefighters participating in a Regional Emergency Medical Services System training event at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant, Oklahoma, Sept. 21, 2022... MORE

An emergency medical technician (far left) explains her evaluation of a simulated casualty during a Regional Emergency Medical Services System training event at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant, Oklahoma, September 21, 2022. A total of around 170 first responders participated in this annual training event. (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

Silver Flag tests 137th SOW civil engineers readiness
September 28, 2022 — Twelve 137th Special Operations Wing civil engineers joined Airmen from across the total force to participate in Silver Flag, a two-week training exercise for combat support teams, Sept. 12-22, 2022, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida... MORE

Airmen construct the roof of a half-dome shelter structure

From CE to MST: What a difference a year makes
September 26, 2022 — One year ago, 20 Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Wing deployed in support of Operation Allies Welcome, including civil engineer Maj. Neil Chaves. He and a team of Airmen were responsible for setting up a livable environment for those evacuating from Afghanistan to the U.S. One year later, Chaves has found himself in a similar position as the officer in charge of the 137th SOW Mission Sustainment Team, which is composed of multi-capable Airmen from various career fields who support Agile Combat Employment strategies by setting up and sustaining secure, livable conditions in austere environments... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard welcomes newly commissioned leaders
September 20, 2022 — The Oklahoma Army National Guard welcomed 19 new second lieutenants into its formation during a graduation and commissioning ceremony at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, Sept. 18, 2022. Officer candidates from classes 67, 67A, and 67B celebrated with friends and family as they took the oath of commissioned officers alongside their fellow graduates... MORE

Former officer candidate Matthew Buck is pinned with his new rank of second lieutenant during his OCS graduation in Norman, Oklahoma, Sept. 18, 2022. During the ceremony, family members and loved ones were invited to pin the ranks upon the newly commissioned officers. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Haden Tolbert)

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert

Oklahoma Army National Guard hosts Best Warrior

Oklahoma National Guard

Nov. 9, 2024 | 1:30

Sixteen Soldiers from the Oklahoma Army National Guard competed in the 2025 OKARNG Best Warrior Competition at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, Nov. 6-8, 2024.

At the conclusion of the competition, Spc. Juan Lopez, a resident of Stillwater, Oklahoma assigned to the 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as a signal operations support specialist, won the title of Soldier of the Year, while Sgt. James Bording, a resident of Claremore, Oklahoma assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th IBCT as an infantryman, was awarded the title of Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. (Oklahoma National Guard Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

CG:
00:23:15
Command Sgt. Maj. John Hernandez
Command Sgt. Maj. for Oklahoma

00:38:14
Spc. Juan Lopez
2025 Soldier of the Year

00:46:23
Sgt. James Bording
2025 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year