News from the Oklahoma National Guard

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

Oklahoma National Guard unit receives Meritorious Unit Commendation
February 11, 2022 — In a formal ceremony, the U.S. Army recognized and rewarded an Oklahoma Army National Guard unit for their outstanding performance while deployed overseas. On February 5, the Department of the Army awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation to Company A, 777th Aviation Support Battalion, 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers with Alpha Company 777, 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command receive a Meritorious Unit Commendation at a ceremony at the Armed Forces Readiness Center, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Feb. 5, 2022. The unit was awarded the commendation in recognition of their accomplishments during their 2016-2017 deployment to Kuwait in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield, and Freedom’s Sentinel. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma National Guard concludes stranded driver assistance mission
February 5, 2022 — The Oklahoma National Guard has successfully concluded a multi-day state active-duty mission where Guardsmen assisted the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in rescuing stranded drivers during a winter storm that left highways dangerous for travelers... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard members working with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Stranded Motorist Assistance Recovery Team based in Vinita, Oklahoma push a vehicle out of a snowbank on the Will Rogers Turnpike near Vinita, Oklahoma, Feb. 3, 2022.

Oklahoma National Guard prepares to assist stranded motorists
February 2, 2022 — At the request of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma National Guard is preparing to dispatch teams to multiple locations to assist stranded motorists during and after expected severe winter conditions strike Oklahoma... MORE

An Oklahoma National Guard humvee follows an Oklahoma Highway Patrol vehicle during a stranded motorist recovery mission along the Turner Turnpike near Stroud, Oklahoma, Feb. 14, 2021. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers attached to 5th Armored Brigade help local non-profit secure $100,000 grant
January 27, 2022 — Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers attached to 5th Armored Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas attended a $100,000 grant presentation at the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) Jan. 21, 2021... MORE

Spc. Monique Tran, left, and Sgt. Mikaela Norton, assigned to 5th Armored Brigade, First Army Division West, pose with members of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and the Armed Services YMCA during grant presentation from AUSA to the YMCA in El Paso, Texas, January 21st, 2022. 5th Armored Brigade supports the local community while preparing National Guard and Reserve partners to deploy world wide. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Coady Pratt, 5th Armored Brigade)

Oklahoma National Guard colonel retires after three decades of service
January 25, 2022 — Friends, family and fellow Oklahoma National Guard members honored the career of Col. Thomas W. Mackey in a retirement ceremony held at Joint Force Headquarters in Oklahoma City, Jan. 22, 2022. Mackey was recognized for his outstanding service and legacy of leadership spanning his 34-year career with the Oklahoma Army National Guard... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino, the adjutant general for Oklahoma, presents Col. Thomas Mackey, former deputy United States Property and Fiscal officer, with the Legion of Merit award, at Joint Force Headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jan. 22, 2022. Mackey’s career spanned 34 years and included three deployments. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

45th Field Artillery Brigade holds change of command ceremony
January 11, 2022 — Soldiers with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Field Artillery Brigade gathered for a change of command ceremony between Col. Jason Henry, outgoing commander, and Col. Thomas Gibson, incoming commander at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma, Jan. 8, 2022... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard Col. Jason Henry addresses Soldiers with the 45th Field Artillery Brigade during a change of command ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma, Jan. 8, 2022. Henry has received multiple awards in his career to include the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star and Humanitarian Service Medal. His service was commemorated with the pinning of the Legion of Merit award in recognition of his exceptionally meritorious conduct.(Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mireille Merilice-Roberts)

Oklahoma Guardsmen give back during 2021 holiday season
January 4, 2022 — The 2021 holiday season was one of giving back to the community for members of the Oklahoma National Guard. From taking part in unit-level food drives to a statewide sock drive or simply giving their time to help sort through donations, Oklahoma National Guard members found many ways to help their fellow Oklahomans this past December... MORE

1st Lt. Brittany Dixon, a member of the Oklahoma National Guard Family Program Office, poses with members of the Department of Veterans Affairs employees while donating socks and undergarments collected by Oklahoma National Guard members. The items were collected from Oklahoma National Guard units across the state to be donated to homeless veterans. (Photo provided by Oklahoma National Guard Family Program Office)

Adjutant General's message: Dec. 30, 2021
December 30, 2021 — To the Airmen of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, The Department of Defense (DoD) has indicated it will recoup any pay provided to unvaccinated Airmen who drill after January 1st. DoD controls the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and can enforce this threat outside of the State of Oklahoma's control... MORE

Three Air National Guard wings participate in Mobile User Objective System training
December 13, 2021 — U.S. Air Force Airmen with the Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas Air National Guard connect to a call on PRC-117G Multiband Networking Manpack Radios during a Mobile User Objective System training course at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, Dec. 2, 2021. The five day training event covered planning, provisioning and operations in five... 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