News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma Guard, Azerbaijan Celebrate 20-year Partnership
December 2, 2022 — OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma National Guard leaders and an Azerbaijan delegation gathered at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their partnership under the State Partnership Program.“Over the last 20 years, Oklahoma has been proud and remains proud to serve next to you and work with you (Azerbaijan),” said Brig. Gen... MORE

Col. Gen. Karim Valiyeva, first deputy minister of defense and chief of the general staff of the Azerbaijan Army, presents a gift to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art Nov. 30, 2022. Oklahoma National Guard leaders and a delegation from Azerbaijan met to celebrate their 20-year partnership under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

137th SOW hosts delegation from Azerbaijan during SPP visit
December 2, 2022 — The 137th Special Operations Wing hosted a State Partnership Program visit for members from the Azerbaijan Army and Embassy of Azerbaijan, Washington, D.C., to introduce them to the many capabilities of the 137th SOW as a global force provider. This is the fifth time the wing has participated in SPP visits in 2022, helping to improve both militaries and relationships through cooperative training and knowledge exchanges... MORE

airmen treat a simulated patient on a gurney

Oklahoma National Guard Promotes Newest CW5
November 22, 2022 — Family, friends and fellow service members gathered to celebrate the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s newest Chief Warrant Officer 5, the highest warrant officer rank one can achieve. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dustin McNeely, an aviator with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, was pinned Thursday in Oklahoma City by his wife, Chasity, and their two daughters, Vivian and Elsie... MORE

Dustin McNeely, an Army aviator with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, is pinned as a Chief Warrant Officer 5 during his promotion ceremony held in Oklahoma City, Nov. 17, 2022. McNeely's wife Chasity and daughters Vivian and Elise pinned his new rank during the ceremony. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mireille Merilice-Roberts)

OKNG special operations wing supports first ever Red Dragon live-fire
November 10, 2022 — Airmen from the 137th Special Operations Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard supported the US Air Force Special Operations Command's first live-fire demonstration of Rapid Dragon, a long-range palletized munitions system, in the U.S. European Command theater over Andøya Space Defense Range, Norway, Nov. 9, 2022... MORE

Members of the 137th Mission Sustainment Team look over a map as they conduct a site survey during ATREUS 22-4 at Andøya Space Defense Range, Norway, Nov. 8, 2022. This was the first time the multi-capable Airmen conducted their mission in a setting realistic to the austere environments they will encounter while supporting global SOF operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Brigette Waltermire)

Specialized Oklahoma National Guard unit hosts fentanyl training
November 4, 2022 — The Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team partnered with FBI, DEA agents to host fentanyl training for local law enforcement agencies in October. ... MORE

Over the last 10 years the Center of Disease Control and Prevention has noticed an increase of opioid and Fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States per year from approximately 2,600 to more than 75,000.

With the Fentanyl threat entering Oklahoma’s borders, the Oklahoma National Guard’s 63rd Civil Support Team and the Oklahoma City Police Department arranged specialized training in October at the Oklahoma City Police and Fire Training Center in Oklahoma City in order to learn from subject matter experts with both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as share knowledge and discuss how to best combat the drug. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Haden Tolbert)

137 SOLRS supports passenger, cargo movement in total force operation
October 31, 2022 — In a total force partnership, the 137th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron and five members of the 321st Contingency Readiness Squadron partnered to conduct passenger and cargo movement, working with Joint Base Charleston active and Reserve aircrew to load a C-17 Globemaster III... MORE

a C-17 Globemaster III is refueled on an airfield while receiving cargo

Medal of Honor recipient, former Oklahoma National Guard member returns home
October 28, 2022 — Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee, a Medal of Honor recipient and US Army Special Forces Soldier who started his career with the Oklahoma Army National Guard, returned to Oklahoma for the first time since being presented our nation's highest honor. ... MORE

Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee, a Medal of Honor recipient, speaks with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt about his Oklahoma roots and military experience during a visit to Manuel Perez Park in Oklahoma City, Oct. 19, 2022. Plumlee, a native Oklahoman, toured his home state Oct. 18-22. During his visit he met with Holt at Manuel Perez Park, a park honoring Manuel Perez Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient from Oklahoma City, and other Oklahomans who have received our nation's highest military honor. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guard hosts cyber security exchange with Azerbaijan military officers
October 17, 2022 — As global challenges evolve, strategists are turning their attention to cyberspace and developing the tactics, techniques and procedures to safeguard our tomorrows, today. That focus on cyber security served as the backdrop of the latest Oklahoma National Guard – Azerbaijan military knowledge exchange where the Oklahoma National Guard hosted three cyber security officers from the Azerbaijan army in late September... MORE

Cyber security officers from the Azerbaijan army listen to a presentation by an Oklahoma Air National Guard member during a cyber security knowledge exchange hosted by the Oklahoma National Guard at the Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma National Guard hosted a multi-day exchange focused on building cooperation between the two partners. (Photo provided by Lt. Col. Sharon McCarty)

137th AES trains alongside Air Force total force, ROTC partners
October 17, 2022 — Members of the 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES), Oklahoma National Guard, participated in a total force training event alongside active-duty counterparts with the 375th Air Mobility Wing and Air Force Reserve Airmen with the 514th Air Mobility Wing Sept. 17, 2022, Oklahoma City. They conducted training on a C-17 Globemaster III flight and flew alongside Air Force ROTC cadets from Oklahoma State University who participated in some of the scenarios... MORE

an airman directs Air Force ROTC cadets acting as litter bearers

Oklahoma Guardsmen assist Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics with Counter Drug Operations
October 14, 2022 — Members of the Oklahoma National Guard supported the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs during a state-wide operation to curb the supply of illegally grown marijuana, Sept. 27-Oct. 7. More than 30 Airmen and Soldiers volunteered for the joint Oklahoma Air and Army National Guard state active duty mission to collect, transport and prepare more than 75,000 plants seized in the ONB-lead operation for destruction... MORE

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert

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Exercise Lightning Strike Showcases OKNG, OEM Domestic Response with Integrated UAS Operations

Oklahoma National Guard

April 15, 2026 | 2:23

The Oklahoma National Guard, in partnership with Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, hosted Exercise Lightning Strike, a domestic exercise scenario of an EF5 tornado, at Camp Gruber Training Center, April 14 and 15, 2026.

At the center of the exercise is the integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) across various scenarios, enabling real-time data sharing, improved situational awareness and more effective coordination among participating agencies.