News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma Air National Guard participates in AERO Oklahoma
March 31, 2022 — Members from the 138th Fighter Wing and the 137th Special Operations Wing joined several of Oklahoma’s top aerospace entities and participated in an Aviation & Aerospace Advocacy Day at the State Capitol building in Oklahoma City on March 30, 2022.The purpose of the day was to recognize the state’s aviation, aerospace, and defense industry as a... MORE

Members of the 138th Fighter Wing participate in AERO Oklahoma at the State Capitol building in Oklahoma City, March 30, 2022. The purpose of the day was to recognize the state’s aviation, aerospace, and defense industry as a vital economic engine for the state and provided a unique opportunity for industry officials to come together and meet with state legislators and other elected officials to show them firsthand how the industry continues to solidify Oklahoma as a worldwide leader in aviation, aerospace, and aerospace and defense. (Oklahoma Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Imwalle)

OK Air National Guard aircraft crashes, pilot unharmed
March 23, 2022 — An Air Force F-16 assigned to the 138th Fighter Wing of the Oklahoma Air National Guard crashed today in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. The pilot safely ejected and was recovered with no serious injuries... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard’s Family Program Office announces Month of the Military Child activities
March 22, 2022 — The Oklahoma National Guard’s Child and Youth Program with the Family Program Office has announced activities for the month of April, celebrating the Month of the Military Child. ... MORE

OKNG visits Azerbaijan as part of State Partnership Program
March 21, 2022 — BAKU, Azerbaijan – Four members of the Oklahoma National Guard (OKNG) visited the Peacekeeping Brigade of Azerbaijan Armed Forces during a State Partnership Program (SPP) engagement March 1-4.Two Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen and two Oklahoma Air National Guardsmen conducted a strategic planning and unit training management event in the first of... MORE

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard and the Azerbaijan Peacekeeping Brigade gather for a group photo at the conclusion of a joint partnership strategic planning and unit training management event March 3, 2022, in Baku, Azerbaijan. This is the beginning of a doctrinal training plan the Oklahoma National Guard is preparing for the Azerbaijan Peacekeeping Brigade intended to cover military decision making processes.

137th SOW Airmen partner with OKARNG in State Partnership Program
March 18, 2022 — Two 137th Special Operations Wing (SOW) air advisors embedded with representatives from Oklahoma Joint Force Headquarters for a joint partnership strategic planning and unit training management event with the Azerbaijan Peacekeeping Brigade in Baku, Azerbaijan, March 1-4, 2022... MORE

Oklahoma National Guardsmen compete for the title of best warrior
March 8, 2022 — Three Soldiers dressed in combat uniforms and carrying 35 pound ruck sacks made their way down the road, the sun rising behind them. A lone figure jogged out to meet them, cheering them on and running alongside them as they made their way to the finish line of an arduous 12-mile ruck march. Spc. David Jeffrey, a member of Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 180th Calvary Regiment, won the junior enlisted title of best warrior at the 20th annual Best Warrior Competition at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, March 3-6, 2022. Jefferey was one of 21 competitors who battled it out in a series of physically and mentally demanding challenges for a chance to represent their command in the regional version of the competition... MORE

Sgt. Joy Quary, a member of 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard makes her way through an obstacle course during the Best Warrior Competition at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, March 3, 2022. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Pfc. Emily White)

National Guardsmen support civil authorities in large-scale illegal marijuana eradication operation
February 25, 2022 — Guardsmen from across the State of Oklahoma came together to support the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics in a massive multi-agency, large-scale operation targeting criminal marijuana growth and trafficking. At the request of OBN, Governor Kevin Stitt authorized the activation of approximately 150 Guardsmen to assist with eradication, debris removal, logistical support and identification of hazardous materials associated with the seizure of illegal marijuana grow operations... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen assist local authorities in the destruction of marijuana during massive multi-agency operation targeting criminal marijuana growth and trafficking in the southern region of Oklahoma, Feb. 22, 2022. he OKNG assisted with the clean-up of the nine illegal or unregistered grow sites after Law Enforcement Officers served warrants and gathered the evidence they needed. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mireille Merilice-Roberts)

137th CTF teaches land nav skills during MST training
February 17, 2022 — The 137th Combat Training Flight taught 33 students land navigation, radio communication and radio programming skills during Mission Sustainment Team training held at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, Feb. 7-10, 2022... MORE

Three AFSOC wings participate in combat control training at WRANGB
February 16, 2022 — A Special Tactics combat controller with the 125th Special Tactics Squadron (STS), Oregon Air National Guard, is seen through night vision goggles measuring the distance to a target during a training exercise in Oklahoma City, Jan. 12, 2022. The 125th STS trained with the help of members with the 137th Special Operations Wing (SOW) acting as... MORE

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