News from the Oklahoma National Guard

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)

137th SOW develops multi-capable Airmen at Northern Strike 22-2
September 13, 2022 — A group of nearly 50 Oklahoma Air National Guardsmen from the 137th Special Operations Wing (SOW) deployed in support of Northern Strike 22-2 Aug. 6-19, 2022, Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich. The focus of Northern Strike 22-2 was the military’s ability to train the warfighter in any environment, and 137th SOW multi-capable Airmen directly contributed to reaching that proof of concept... MORE

“The Longest Exchange Ever”
September 9, 2022 — Two officers from the German Air Force visited the 137th Special Operations Wing June 6-17, 2022, as part of the Military Reserve Exchange Program, which supports reserve force exchanges between NATO nations. Reservists and Guardsmen from the U.S. visit, as well as host, personnel from a foreign country... MORE

New STARBASE Oklahoma classroom opens at Fort Sill
August 19, 2022 — STARBASE Oklahoma welcomed teachers from across the state as they celebrated the dedication of their newest classroom. The new STARBASE classroom is located at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was officially opened on Thursday, August 11, 2022... MORE

Steven Schraner, deputy director of STARBASE Oklahoma - Fort Sill, Melanie Powers, STARBASE Oklahoma business manager, and James Skrapka, director STARBASE Oklahoma, cut the ribbon at the new STARBASE Oklahoma classroom at Fort Sill, Thursday, August 11, 2022. STARBASE Oklahoma, a program sponsored by the Department of Defense and administered by the Oklahoma Military Department, focuses on introducing fifth grade students to science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on experiments done in a classroom setting. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Pfc. Haden Tolbert)

Oklahoma Guard recruiting battalion ranked first in nation for July
August 18, 2022 — The Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion ranked first for all National Guard states in July 2022 for exceeding their recruiting mission set... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade honors commanders
August 18, 2022 — Members of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, friends and family gathered to bid farewell to outgoing commander Col. Colby Wyatt, of Cherokee, Oklahoma, and welcome incoming commander Col. Andrew Ballenger, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Gruber Training Center, Sunday... MORE

Col. Colby Wyatt, outgoing commander of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, passes the unit colors to Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, at a change of command ceremony, Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, Aug. 14, 2022. Wyatt served as the commander of the 45th IBCT for three years and relinquished command to Col. Andrew Ballenger. (Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Special Operations Storytellers
August 15, 2022 — Three members of the 137th Special Operations Wing (SOW) Public Affairs, Oklahoma National Guard, integrated with 352d Special Operations Wing Public Affairs at RAF Mildenhall to provide photo and video support and receive annual training Aug. 1-5, 2022... MORE

Michigan Airmen, Partners Achieve Milestone During Northern Agility
August 12, 2022 — ALPENA, Mich. – Less than six weeks after conducting the first highway-based A-10 Thunderbolt II Integrated Combat Turns (ICTs), Airmen from the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, achieved a milestone for the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) doctrine Aug. 8-12, alongside joint and ally partners from the Royal Canadian... MORE

U. S. Air Force Airmen from the 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, (SANGB) Mich. perform Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training while loading bombs onto an A-10 Thunderbolt II also from SANGB during an Integrated Combat Turn (ICT) during Northern Agility 22-2/Northern Strike 22, at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Mich., Aug. 8, 2022.

OKNG senior leader goes extra mile for 50th birthday
August 3, 2022 — For one Oklahoma National Guard senior leader, simply turning 50 was not enough - he needed a challenge... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Jolly, the command sergeant major for the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, completes a 50 kilometer trail run near Quanah, Texas, May 14, 2022. Jolly ran 50 kilometers to celebrate his 50th birthday. (Photo provided by Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Jolly)

Soldiers from 700 Brigade Support Battalion conduct annual training at the Sustainment Training Center
August 3, 2022 — More than 200 Soldiers with the 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, received specific Military Occupational Specialty training at the Sustainment Training Center at Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center, Iowa, July 2022... MORE

Spc. Schneider Njifunuh, an automated logistical specialist with Company A, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, conducts simulated warehouse functions at the Sustainment Training Center on Camp Dodge near Johnston City, Iowa, July 18, 2022. The 700th BSB conducted annual training at the STC to enhance technical and tactical unit training. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Video by Leanna Maschino

Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0 Tests Oklahoma Guard's UAS Capabilities

Oklahoma National Guard

Sept. 13, 2025 | 2:13

Package: Members of the Oklahoma National Guard conduct Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0 at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Oklahoma. The exercise tested concepts for countering an evolving threat environment and drew visitors from across the state and world, including industry leaders, National Guard representatives, active-duty forces, and emergency management officials. Training included a Chinook infill, tactical movement through wooded terrain and clearance of an enemy trench system under simulated multi-domain threats, highlighting the integration of emerging technologies to enhance lethality, improve survivability, and sustain readiness for future conflicts. CG Information: Lt. Col. Brent Hill (00:08-00:14) Director, OKNG UAS/Launched Effects Program Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino (00:28-00:30) The adjutant general for Oklahoma Additional footage by: Sgt. Haden Tolbert Senior Airman Erika Chapa Sgt. Cambrie Cannon Sgt. Joe Pena Sgt. Kenshi Kaneshiro