News from the Oklahoma National Guard

OKGuard looks back on 2025 Presidential Inauguration
February 4, 2025 — Approximately 100 Oklahoma Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers joined 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states and territories to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Hatter, assigned to 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma National Guard, poses for a portrait during the presidential motorcade for the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2025. Approximately 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states and territories comprise JTF-DC to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration, continuing a legacy that began in 1789 when their predecessors escorted George Washington to the first inauguration. At the request of civil authorities, these National Guard service members provide critical support such as crowd management, traffic control points, CBRN response, civil disturbance response and sustainment operations. Their expertise and seamless collaboration with interagency partners help ensure a safe and peaceful transition of power during this historic event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Tyler Brahic)

Newberry awarded Star of Valor for life-saving actions
February 4, 2025 — Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presented 2nd Lt. Gary Newberry, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor, at the 1-180th CAV's headquarters in Ardmore, Oklahoma, February 2, 2025, for Newberry's actions rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle on July 6, 2024.Award Citation:For 2LT... MORE

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presents 2nd Lt. Gary Newberry, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor at the 1-180th CAV's headquarters in Ardmore, Oklahoma, February 2, 2025, for Newberry's actions rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle on July 6, 2024. (courtesy photo provided by 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment)

OKGuard hosts 2nd annual unmanned aerial systems symposium
January 23, 2025 — The Oklahoma National Guard hosted the second annual OKNG Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Symposium at the Oklahoma State University Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City, Jan. 21-22... MORE

Col. Shane Riley, director, Oklahoma National Guard Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program, welcomes attendees to the second annual OKNG UAS/LE Symposium at the Oklahoma State University Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City, Jan. 21, 2025. Topics at the symposium included emerging UAS threats, Department of Defense and National Guard integration in advanced air mobility, maneuver training, integrating UAS in interagency operations, and counter-UAS initiative development. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guardsmen depart to support 60th Presidential Inauguration
January 16, 2025 — The Oklahoma National Guard is sending approximately 100 Guardsmen to our nation’s capital to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration. The Oklahoma Guardsmen join nearly 8,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from approximately 40 states and territories to augment the District of Columbia National Guard... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers board a C-130 at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, Jan 16, 2025. The Oklahoma Guardsmen join nearly 8,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from approximately 40 states and territories to augment the District of Columbia National Guard. With a long-standing tradition of supporting presidential inaugurations, the National Guard plays a crucial role in balancing safety, security, and other duties during the peaceful transition of power (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by 1st Sgt. Mireille Merilice-Roberts).

1120th Engineer Utilities Detachment departs for Africa
January 15, 2025 — Family and friends gathered at the Muskogee Readiness Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on Jan. 13, 2025, to bid farewell to Oklahoma Army National Guard engineers preparing to deploy on a humanitarian mission to the Horn of Africa... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the 1120th Engineer Utilities Detachment, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard, stand in formation during their farewell ceremony at the Muskogee Readiness Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Jan. 13, 2025. Approximately 50 Soldiers will deploy overseas to support U.S. Africa Command in engineering and utilities projects across the Horn of Africa.

138th Fighter Wing Participates in Readiness Exercise
January 14, 2025 — The 138th Fighter Wing participated in a basewide readiness exercise at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base on Jan. 12, 2025... MORE

Lt. Col. Zachary Williams, 125th Fighter Squadron, prepares to depart from the flight line during a base wide exercise at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., Jan. 12, 2025. During the exercise, the Airmen were evaluated on their ability to maintain mission operations while operating in a simulated deployed environment, performed duties such as post-attack reconnaissance (PAR) team routes, simulated attacks, and tactical combat casualty care procedures. (Oklahoma Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Addison Barnes)

Army Increases Tuition Assistance, Adjusts Credentialing Program
December 17, 2024 — WASHINGTON - The Army announced policy updates to voluntary education programs for active-duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers. The new guidance includes a $500 increase and a two-semester-hour increase for tuition assistance and changes to the credentialing assistance program. “The Army recognizes the value of the tuition assistance and... MORE

The Army announced policy updates Dec. 11, 2024, for the tuition assistance and credentialing assistance educational programs for Active-Duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers. The changes include increased semester hour and dollar amount caps for TA and a reduction in the dollar amount cap for CA.

OKGuard Family Program Office recognized for Hurricane Helene support
December 17, 2024 — Oklahoma City -- Members of the Oklahoma National Guard's Family Program Office were presented with certificates of appreciation from the Florida National Guard Family Program Office on Dec. 9, 2024, for providing remote relief to more than 750 FLNG Soldiers affected by Hurricane Helene by offering resource referral assistance. The support lessened... MORE

Warren Griffis (left), Jennifer Roberts (middle), both members of the Oklahoma National Guard Family Program Office, stand with Col. Yolanda Murray (right), director of manpower and personnel for the OKNG, after being presented certificates of appreciation from the Florida National Guard Family Program Office for providing remote relief to more than 750 FLNG Soldiers affected by Hurricane Helene by offering resource referral assistance. The support lessened the burden of the Florida National Guard while enabling their Guardsmen to focus on responding to the devastation. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reece Heck)

Pat Haynes awarded Thunderbird Medal
December 17, 2024 — Pat Haynes, a volunteer for the Oklahoma National Guard Family Program Office, was presented with the Thunderbird Medal for her dedication to supporting the families and children of Oklahoma's service members... MORE

Pat Haynes, volunteer for the Oklahoma National Guard Family Program Office, is awarded the Thunderbird Medal for dedicating countless hours to the Oklahoma National Guard, utilizing her extensive training and experience as a child and family counselor to support OKNG efforts. The Thunderbird Medal is the Oklahoma National Guard’s highest award presented to a civilian. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reece Heck)

OKGuard gains new chaplain candidate
December 13, 2024 — Oklahoma National Guard's 2nd Lt. Michael Bolgrin commissioned as a chaplain candidate in a ceremony held at 90th Troop Command in Oklahoma City, Oct. 30, 2024. Bolgrin has served in the OKNG for 16 years, and felt the call to chaplaincy after his 2017-2018 deployment to Afghanistan... MORE

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