News from the Oklahoma National Guard

137 SOW ANG Airmen premier at Tradewinds 2023
August 3, 2023 — Nine Airmen from the 137th Special Operations Wing participated in TRADEWINDS 23 Exercise, a multi-domain U.S. Southern Command exercise, for the first time July 15-27, 2023, in Guyana... MORE

Individual Weapons Qual tips with the Small Arms Training Team
July 27, 2023 — Sgt. Reece Heck talks with the Oklahoma Army National Guard's Small Arms Teams member Sgt. Brian Stuart about the newly updated Individual Weapons Qualification, focusing primarily on the Table VI "Qualification" portion. Stuart walks Heck through each position and includes tips and tricks for Soldiers qualifying... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team fire their assigned weapons during a qualification event at Fort Indiantown Gap, March 9, 2023. Qualifying on assigned weapons annually helps Soldiers stay ready to defend themselves in combat. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell)

OK Airmen join in multinational airborne training
July 26, 2023 — Members of the Oklahoma National Guard's 137th Special Operations Wing joined fellow U.S. military members as well as other national forces including France, Guyana and Mexico, to participate in a static line jump during TRADEWINDS23 Exercise over Air Base London, Guyana, July 18, 2023... MORE

Photo: Tactical Air Control Party specialists with the 137th Special Operations Wing, Oklahoma National Guard, conduct a static line jump during TRADEWINDS23 Exercise over Air Base London, Guyana, July 18, 2023. The different training components of the exercise are focused on increasing regional cooperation throughout the Caribbean and Caribbean Basin. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Brigette Waltermire)

OK Air Guard members support arms training with SOUTHCOM multinational partners
July 26, 2023 — Members of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force and Oklahoma Air National Guard conducted marksmanship training and close quarters battle training with multinational partners as part of TRADEWINDS23 Exercise on July 16, 2023, at Camp Stephenson, Guyana. Mexican Special Operations Forces joined U.S. joint force instructors, where they took part in rifle and pistol marksmanship training. The Mexican forces received refresher training and also increased their pistol and rifle weapons systems skills with new techniques... MORE

Photo: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Scott Palelei, a tactical air control party specialist with the 137th Special Operations Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard, applies a tourniquet to a member of the Guyana Defense Force during tactical combat casualty training held at Camp Seweyo, Guyana, for TRADEWINDS23 Exercise July 16, 2023. TRADEWINDS is initiated and formulated as part of the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which allows participating nations to forge enduring relationships that will improve security capabilities through the exchange of knowledge and expertise. (U.S. Air National Guard photo courtesy of Senior Airman Richie Thammavongsa)

Oklahoma employers experience National Guard training
July 26, 2023 — Civilian employers of Soldiers of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade participated in an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) "boss lift" at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, June 25, 2023... MORE

Photo of: Civilian employers of Soldiers of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade firing a machine gun.

Oklahoma National Guard Soldier Harnesses Fighting Spirit
July 20, 2023 — An Oklahoma Army National Guard member, Spc. Justin Budd harnessed his fighting spirit in an unconventional way. Battling with anger issues throughout his youth, Budd found purpose in Mixed Martial Arts, enabling him to transform his life. ... MORE

Spc. Justin Budd, a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard from Tulsa, Oklahoma, harnessed his fighting spirit in an unconventional way.

137th Special Operations Wing supports Tinker Air Show
July 11, 2023 — Members of the 137th Special Operations Wing joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard Recruiting team to share the Wing's history and Oklahoma Air National Guard information with people attending the 2023 Tinker Air Show, July 1-2, 2023... MORE

The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, perform at the Tinker Air Show on July 1, 2023, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City. The Blue Angels joined members of the joint and total force at the Tinker Air Show to showcase the diverse aspects of aviation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Erika Chapa)

Oklahoma ANG TACPs support Air Defender 2023
June 30, 2023 — Members of the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron, Oklahoma National Guard, supported exercise Air Defender 2023, providing joint all-domain command and control to the combined force air component commander June 12-23, 2023, throughout the U.S. European Command area of responsibility... MORE

A German Tornado combat aircraft flies overhead after completing a close air support mission during exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) in Germany June 15, 2023. Exercise AD23 is a German-led exercise that integrates both U.S. and Allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Brigette Waltermire)

45th FAB Soldiers take on Western Strike 2023
June 29, 2023 — Members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Field Artillery Brigade, along with support elements from 90th Troop Command, contended with the harsh summer elements and forested terrain at Fort Chaffee for exercise Western Strike, June 16-30, 2023... MORE

An Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier with the 45th Field Artillery Brigade, provides security from the turret of a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during exercise Western Strike at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, June 21, 2023. Western Strike is a highly immersive and fully instrumented training comparable to a combat training center that aims to prepare units like the 45th FAB for overseas operations. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma state senator joins OKANG
June 26, 2023 — Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, took the oath of enlistment on Monday, June 26, 2023... MORE

Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, is accompanied by guests at his enlistment ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol on June 26, 2023, Oklahoma City. Woods enlisted into the Oklahoma ANG to serve beyond his congressional district and will attend Air Force basic military training and security forces technical training between state senate sessions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Erika Chapa)

Video by Pfc. Anthony Ackah-Mensah

Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers compete in the Sergeant Major’s Match and Governors Twenty Marksmanship Competition

Oklahoma National Guard

Sept. 15, 2023 | 1:06

The Oklahoma Army National Guard’s top marksmen were locked, loaded and aimed for excellence for the Sergeant Major’s Match and Governor’s Twenty marksmanship competition, Sept. 14-17.

The competitions consisted of accuracy matches on the M4 carbine and the M17 pistol, and tests a Citizen-Soldier’s ability to shoot from various positions and distances, taking them out of their comfort zone.

The Sergeant Major’s Match includes closer targets, faster reloading, and more weapons manipulation. The Governor’s Twenty focuses more on long-distance precision and accuracy.