News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Skyraider II at Will Rogers ANGB, Ushers in New Era of Special Operations Training
April 22, 2025 — The 492nd Special Operations Wing, in partnership with the 137th SOW, Air National Guard, welcomed the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II earlier this month. The Skyraider II is a cost-effective, versatile aircraft that will provide close air support, armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strike capabilities — all essential for operations outlined in the 2022 National Defense Strategy... MORE

A U.S. Air Force OA-1K Skyraider II is parked on the flightline at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Jan. 28, 2025. The OA-1K Skyraider II is a new, flexible, cost-effective crewed aircraft adaptable to deliver capabilities in support of defense priorities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Natalie Fiorilli)

OKNG hosts second annual Domestic Operations Symposium
April 17, 2025 — Emergency response agencies from across the state gathered for the Oklahoma National Guard’s second annual Domestic Operations Symposium, held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, April 14-15, 2025. The symposium brought city, state, federal and neighboring states together to find ways to build partnerships in the event of a domestic emergency or man-made disaster. ... MORE

Emergency management professionals and military members answer questions about natural disaster response during the 2025 Oklahoma National Guard Domestic Operations Symposium, in Norman, Oklahoma, April 15, 2025. The symposium brings city, county, state, federal and neighboring states together to build partnerships to face future natural and man-made disasters. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

CW5 Murphy retires after nearly 40 years
April 1, 2025 — Family, friends and fellow Oklahoma National Guard members gathered at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma to celebrate a retirement ceremony for Chief Warrant Officer 5 Melvin J. Murphy, Mar. 20, 2025... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Melvin J. Murphy receives the Legion of Merit from Col. Eric W. Frazier, chief of staff for logistics, during Murphy’s retirement ceremony held at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, Mar. 20, 2025. Murphy, a full-time Soldier with the OKARNG, was recognized for his outstanding career spanning 39-years in the military as an expert logistician. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Anthony Ackah-Mensah)

90th Troop Command welcomes new senior enlisted leader
March 18, 2025 — Soldiers assigned to 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Solis as the brigade's new senior enlisted leader, and honored outgoing command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Railyn Silva, during a ceremony at Camp Gruber Training Center, March 1, 2025.Silva served as the brigade's senior enlisted... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Solis, the incoming command sergeant major for 90th Troop Command, salutes the flag during the playing of the national anthem during a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Gruber Training Center Saturday, March 1, 2025. The ceremony signifies the transfer of responsibility from outgoing command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Railyn Sanderson to Solis.

“I'm a troop Soldier, so I like to be out there,” said Solis. “I like to see what everybody is doing. So just be prepared. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do.”

(Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bradley Cooney)

OKGuard, SWOSU, Weatherford sign agreements fostering greater cooperation
March 14, 2025 — Leadership with the Oklahoma National Guard, the city of Weatherford and Southwestern Oklahoma State University sign new agreements, building on years of shared commitment. Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, signed a memorandum of agreement with SWOSU president, Dr. Diana Lovell, and a memorandum of understanding with Weatherford Mayor Mike Brown, laying the foundation for continued partnership... MORE

(front row, left to right) Mayor Mike Brown, mayor of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Dr. Diana Lovell, Southwestern Oklahoma State University president, and Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, gather after signing agreements at Weatherford city hall in Weatherford, Oklahoma, March 12, 2025. The ceremony celebrated the signing of agreements, fostering cooperation between the city, university and the Oklahoma National Guard. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Tyler Brahic)

SWOSU GOLD Soldiers and student honored for saving fellow student’s life
March 14, 2025 — 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 training on Jan. 28, 2025, in Weatherford, Oklahoma... MORE

Four Southwestern Oklahoma State University Guard Officer Leadership Program Development officer candidates and Statton Mantz, a student lifeguard at SWOSU, pose for a photo with SWOSU President, Dr. Diana Lovell, Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Command Sgt. Maj. John Hernandez, the state command sergeant major for Oklahoma, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The five students were presented with awards for saving the life of a GOLD officer candidate during training. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Tyler Brahic)

Oklahoma Army National Guard enhances artillery readiness with live-fire, air insertion training
March 12, 2025 — Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers demonstrated their ability to rapidly mass troops and equipment during live-fire artillery training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on March 7-9... MORE

Field artillery Soldiers assigned to Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, emplace an M777 howitzer during training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, March 7, 2025. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

OKGuard mechanics compete for annual Mechanic of the Year
March 5, 2025 — OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen gathered to compete for the title of Mechanic of the Year at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Norman, Oklahoma, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 and Feb. 26-27, 2025... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard member Sgt. David Quinn, a mechanic with a team from Field Maintenance Shop Six, inspects a humvee during the Mechanic of the Year competition held at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Norman, Oklahoma, Feb. 26, 2025. The Guardsmen came together for the fourth annual competition, teaming up to showcase their mechanic skills and connect with fellow competitors.(Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

OKGuard flight crew supports Air Force paradrop training
February 21, 2025 — An Oklahoma National Guard flight crew out of the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma assisted in a joint training paradrop event out of Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, Jan. 22, 2025. The six members of the flight crew carried Air Commandos from the Air Force Special Operations Command to altitude in a UH-60 Black Hawk, where they conducted... MORE

An Air Force Special Operations Air Commando prepares to land during training at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Area, Arkansas. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

OKGuard Leader Retires after over 30 years of service
February 7, 2025 — Friends, family and fellow Guardsmen gathered at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center to celebrate a retirement ceremony for Col. Shane Riley, former director of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program for the Oklahoma Army National Guard, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025... MORE

Col. Shane Riley speaks during his retirement ceremony, held at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center, in Norman Oklahoma, Feb. 1, 2025. Riley’s last assignment was director of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program for the Oklahoma Army National Guard, and his career spanned 36 years and included four deployments. (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by Spc. Brooklyn Clark)

Video by Spc. Cambrie Cannon, Sgt. Haden Tolbert

Oklahoma Guardsmen face-off against drones in survivability exercise

Oklahoma National Guard

June 12, 2025 | 1:34

Soldiers assigned to the 45th Infantry Brigade took part in the first of a series of counter-unmanned aircraft exercises at Camp Gruber Training Center on June 12 and 13. This exercise focused on Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th IBCT being forced to avoid, react to, and counter reconnaissance drones and first-person view drones deployed to harass them as they battled opposing force role players.