News from the Oklahoma National Guard

137th SOW hosts the ANG command chief
February 8, 2023 — U.S. Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams visited the 137th Special Operations Wing (SOW) at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, Feb. 5, 2023. He has been traveling to wings to ensure changes to the strategic outlook of the guard are being communicated to the lowest level. This marked his 60th base visit... MORE

Chief Master Sgt speaks to airmen at an enlisted all call, people sitting in room while man is speaking

National Guard Soldier competes at the 2023 Miami Marathon
February 6, 2023 — One Oklahoma National Guard officer competed in the recent Life Time Miami Marathon and Half, Jan. 29, 2023. Maj. Jeffrey Kragh, age 45, ran 13.1 miles in 1:41:09 and placed 10th in his age group and 569th overall... MORE

Maj. Jeffrey Kragh (left), All Guard Marathon Team, Oklahoma National Guard, runs in the 2023 Life Time Miami Marathon and Half in Miami, Florida, Jan. 29, 2023. More than two dozen National Guard Soldiers from 17 states competed in the marathon. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Gauret Stearns)

137th SOTG validated for joint warfighting functions
January 12, 2023 — Members of the 137th SOW Special Operations Task Group tested their ability for operational and tactical integration between air and ground forces during a training exercise conducted in Oklahoma and Georgia Dec. 1-9, 2022... MORE

airmen work around a table to conduct operations

Oklahoma National Guard top officer pins second star
January 4, 2023 — Family, friends and fellow service members gathered at the Oklahoma State Capitol to celebrate the promotion of Oklahoma's adjutant general, the top military advisor to the Oklahoma governor and who commands the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard, Jan. 3, 2023... MORE

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, speaks during his promotion ceremony held at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, Jan. 3, 2023. Mancino pinned his second star, officially reaching the highest rank one can achieve with the Oklahoma National Guard. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mireille Merilice-Roberts)

Will Rogers ANGB selected as sole candidate to replace MC-12s with new AT-802U Sky Warden Formal Training Unit
December 9, 2022 — Will Rogers ANGB will receive 28 AT-802Us and about 80 personnel to support the mission of the 310th Special Operations Squadron... MORE

United States Department of the Air Force

Fallen Guardsmen Honored at Governor’s Mansion
December 9, 2022 — When you think of decorated trees, most think of the Christmas season. For Gold Star Trees, they carry more significance than just the spirit of the holidays—they carry the spirit of our Fallen... MORE

45th Field Artillery Brigade unit begins deployment
December 6, 2022 — Families and friends joined together to support more than 100 deploying Soldiers assigned to Headquarters Battery, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, during a departure ceremony held in Mustang, Oklahoma, Saturday... MORE

An Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier hugs a family member at the deployment ceremony for Headquarters Battery, 45th Field Artillery Brigade in Mustang, Oklahoma, Dec. 3, 2022. The Soldiers are deploying to the US Central Command area of responsibility, providing headquarters operations to plan and execute supporting fires. (Oklahoma National Guard photos by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma Guard, Azerbaijan Celebrate 20-year Partnership
December 2, 2022 — OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma National Guard leaders and an Azerbaijan delegation gathered at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their partnership under the State Partnership Program.“Over the last 20 years, Oklahoma has been proud and remains proud to serve next to you and work with you (Azerbaijan),” said Brig. Gen... MORE

Col. Gen. Karim Valiyeva, first deputy minister of defense and chief of the general staff of the Azerbaijan Army, presents a gift to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art Nov. 30, 2022. Oklahoma National Guard leaders and a delegation from Azerbaijan met to celebrate their 20-year partnership under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

137th SOW hosts delegation from Azerbaijan during SPP visit
December 2, 2022 — The 137th Special Operations Wing hosted a State Partnership Program visit for members from the Azerbaijan Army and Embassy of Azerbaijan, Washington, D.C., to introduce them to the many capabilities of the 137th SOW as a global force provider. This is the fifth time the wing has participated in SPP visits in 2022, helping to improve both militaries and relationships through cooperative training and knowledge exchanges... MORE

airmen treat a simulated patient on a gurney

Oklahoma National Guard Promotes Newest CW5
November 22, 2022 — Family, friends and fellow service members gathered to celebrate the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s newest Chief Warrant Officer 5, the highest warrant officer rank one can achieve. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dustin McNeely, an aviator with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, was pinned Thursday in Oklahoma City by his wife, Chasity, and their two daughters, Vivian and Elsie... MORE

Dustin McNeely, an Army aviator with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, is pinned as a Chief Warrant Officer 5 during his promotion ceremony held in Oklahoma City, Nov. 17, 2022. McNeely's wife Chasity and daughters Vivian and Elise pinned his new rank during the ceremony. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mireille Merilice-Roberts)

Video by Spc. Anthony Ackah-Mensah

SWOSU GOLD Soldiers and student honored for saving fellow student’s life

Oklahoma National Guard

March 13, 2025 | 1:22

Four Southwestern Oklahoma State University Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program officer candidates and one student lifeguard were honored on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, for their heroic actions in saving a fellow GOLD candidate during a training exercise on Jan. 28, 2025, in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Spc. Avrie Nowakowski, Spc. Diego Ortiz, Pfc. Rhyson Golightly, and Spc. Austin May were among the officer candidates who received the Army Achievement Medal for their actions.

Statton Mantz, the student lifeguard involved, received the Thunderbird Medal, the Oklahoma National Guard’s highest award presented to a civilian