News from the Oklahoma National Guard

137th SOLRS conducts fuels training with 1st SOW
August 4, 2021 — Three fuels Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron attended training with the 1st Special Operations Wing to complete annual requirements July 26-30, 2021, at Hurlburt Field, Fla... MORE

Oklahoma Army Guard Soldiers test their resiliency at NTC
August 2, 2021 — FORT IRWIN, Calif. – Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers tested their skills as they fought the heat and mock enemies during a month-long annual training in the desert at the National Training Center in July."I think it's significant that our light infantry forces attend NTC because we can train and see where we are lacking when fighting in the... MORE

Soldiers with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, move through the desert during a live-fire exercise at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, July 24, 2021.

Joint Training Reinforces Cyber Defense
July 27, 2021 — Soldiers with the Oklahoma National Guard defensive cyber operations element, in partnership with team members from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Management Enterprise Services, conducted joint training at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center, July 10-23. Cyber Shield 21, an annual training exercise, focused on identifying and defending against cyber threats that compromise local and national security. The training brought together more than 750 of the nation’s top cyber defense professionals from the National Guard and industry partners. This year is the first year for the OKNG to partner and train alongside state agencies... MORE

Sgt. Sean Singley, cyber threat intelligence analyst with the Oklahoma National Guard defensive cyber operations team, discusses recent cyber activity with Jenna Odgers, criminal intelligence analyst, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, during Cyber Shield 2021 at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, Norman, Oklahoma, July 21, 2021. Cyber Shield is an annual training exercise focused on identifying and defending against cyber threats that compromise local and national security. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mireilie Merilice-Roberts)

Frazer becomes first woman to lead combat company in 45th IBCT
July 13, 2021 — Capt. Marissa Frazer became the first woman to command a combat arms company in the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team when she assumed command of the Thunderbird Brigade’s Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment in a ceremony at the National Guard armory in Holdenville, Oklahoma, July 9, 2021... MORE

Capt. Marissa Frazer accepts the Bravo Battery guidon from Lt. Col. Ronnie Beck, commander of the 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, during a change of command ceremony at the National Guard armory in Holdenville, Oklahoma, July 9. Frazer assumed command of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, as the first female commander of a combat arms unit in the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

A COVID Story with CW3 Julio Dominguez
July 1, 2021 — On February 16, 2021, the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Chief Warrant Officer 3 Julio Dominguez tested positive for COVID-19. Three days later, he couldn’t breathe... MORE

OKARNG sergeant major looks back on Khobar Towers bombing, talks mental health
June 25, 2021 — For many Oklahomans, June 25 is just another day on the calendar to get through before Independence Day parties can begin. However, for one Oklahoma Army National Guard sergeant major, it is a solemn date of remembrance... MORE

Terrorist attacked the Khobar Towers housing complex June 25, 1996, using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. The attacked killed 19 people, including many U.S. military members, and injured countless others.

OK Air Guard to conduct large-scale readiness exercise
May 28, 2021 — The Oklahoma Air National Guard will conduct a large-scale readiness exercise at the 138th Fighter Wing in Tulsa, Oklahoma beginning on June 1... MORE

Tulsa Air National Guard Alert Mission (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Master Sgt. C.T. Michael)

45th Infantry Division Museum to hold annual Memorial Day Ceremony
May 28, 2021 — The 45th Infantry Division Museum will be hosting its annual Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, May 31 at 10 a.m... MORE

The 45th Infantry Division Museum annually hosts the Memorial Day Ceremony to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending the freedom of the United States. The ceremony also recognizes the families of those who served, veterans, and those who continue to wear the uniform as many gathered to pay tribute and pass along the tradition of remembrance.

Oklahoma National Guardsman honored at inaugural Oklahoma Medal of Valor and Oklahoma Purple Heart award ceremony
May 19, 2021 — Governor Kevin Stitt presented the Oklahoma Medal of Valor to Oklahoma Army National Guard Sgt. Pedro Gonzales, III, and the Oklahoma Purple Heart to Tulsa Police Sgt. Craig Johnson, Tulsa Police Officer Aurash Zarkeshan and Oklahoma City Police Officer Zachary Barby during a ceremony in the Blue Room at the Oklahoma State Capitol, May 18... MORE

Governor Kevin Stitt presents Oklahoma Army National Guard Sgt. Pedro Gonzales III with the inaugural Oklahoma Medal of Valor during a ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, May 18, 2021. The Oklahoma Medal of Valor is the state of Oklahoma’s highest award of honor presented to a member of a public safety agency or member of the public. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

137th SOW welcomes new commander
May 13, 2021 — The Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 137th Special Operations Wing hosted a change of command ceremony at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City earlier this month... MORE

Col. Christopher D. Gries assumes command of the 137th Special Operations Wing from Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson, adjutant general for Oklahoma, at a change of command ceremony at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base (WRANGB) in Oklahoma City, May 1, 2021. Gries was formerly the 137th Operations Group commander and became the 18th wing commander at WRANGB. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew M. LaMoreaux)

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert

Oklahoma Army National Guard hosts Best Warrior

Oklahoma National Guard

Nov. 9, 2024 | 1:30

Sixteen Soldiers from the Oklahoma Army National Guard competed in the 2025 OKARNG Best Warrior Competition at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, Nov. 6-8, 2024.

At the conclusion of the competition, Spc. Juan Lopez, a resident of Stillwater, Oklahoma assigned to the 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as a signal operations support specialist, won the title of Soldier of the Year, while Sgt. James Bording, a resident of Claremore, Oklahoma assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th IBCT as an infantryman, was awarded the title of Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. (Oklahoma National Guard Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

CG:
00:23:15
Command Sgt. Maj. John Hernandez
Command Sgt. Maj. for Oklahoma

00:38:14
Spc. Juan Lopez
2025 Soldier of the Year

00:46:23
Sgt. James Bording
2025 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year