News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma World War II and Korean War Veteran receives Thunderbird Medal
April 14, 2021
Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presents the Thunderbird Medal to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Oren L. Peters, World War II and Korean War Veteran from the renowned 45th Infantry Division, Saturday, April 10, 2021 in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Thunderbird Medal is the Oklahoma National Guard’s highest award presented to a civilian. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Geoff Legler)

345th CSSB Soldiers depart for yearlong mobilization
April 1, 2021
A Soldier with the 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion gives a "thumbs up" gesture to cameras broadcasting a virtual send-off ceremony at the National Guard armory in Ada, Oklahoma, April 1, 2021. The Soldiers are being mobilized to Fort Bliss, Texas in order to provide COVID mitigation support to units deploying overseas. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Leanna Maschino)

Camp Gruber opens first fire station since WWII
March 26, 2021
Fire trucks assigned to the newly opened Fire Station Number 1 sit parked outside the station prior to a ribbon cutting at Camp Gruber Training Center, March 24, 2021. (Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

OK Air Guard mourns loss of veteran pilot
March 26, 2021
Lt. Col. Eric Jauquet, of Claremore, Oklahoma, lost his life on March 20, at the age of 48. At the time of his passing, Jauquet served as the Commander of the 138th Operations Support Squadron for the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

Oklahoma National Guard assists with COVID-19 vaccinations
March 17, 2021
Members of the Oklahoma National Guard assist with COVID-19 vaccinations across the state. The Oklahoma National Guard continues working alongside Oklahoma State Department of Health partners throughout the state in the fight against COVID-19. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna)

Guardsman awarded Oklahoma Star of Valor for saving neighbor
March 5, 2021
Sgt. Pedro Gonzales, a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, received the Oklahoma Star of Valor March 4, 2021, for risking his life to save the life of a neighbor who was being attacked with a knife in September 2020. Gonzales suffered serious wounds to his face and neck but has recovered.

African American Guardsman makes history, paves the way for minority inclusion
February 25, 2021
2nd Lt. Bennie Brown (fourth from right) stands with fellow engineer officer school graduates. Brown is the oldest African American officer and one of the oldest officers ever to graduate the engineer officer course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. (photo illustration provided by 2nd Lt. Bennie Brown)

Oklahoma National Guard partnered with OHP to assist motorists in winter weather
February 16, 2021
Staff Sgt. Josh Jacox, 2120th Engineer Company, 120th Engineering Battalion, Oklahoma Army National Guard and Spc. Parker Sargent, electrician specialist, 2120th Engineer Company, 120th Engineering Battalion, Oklahoma Army National Guard, assist motorists and Oklahoma Highway during a wreck in Stroud, Oklahoma. 

The Oklahoma Army National Guard, in partnership with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, responded to severe weather conditions in Stranded Motorist Assistance Recovery Teams (SMART) made up of nearly 90 Soldiers. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Emily White)

Oklahoma National Guard partnering with OHP to assist motorists in winter weather
February 12, 2021
Sgt. Joseph English, of Newalla, Oklahoma, ties a fluorescent ribbon to a wrecked car, marking it as searched and clear of passengers while he and other Soldiers patrolled a section of Interstate 35 north of Perry, Okla., Dec. 28, 2015.

English, a military policeman with the 45th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and other Soldiers from the Brigade assisted the Oklahoma Highway Patrol with motorist assistance during a severe winter storm on Dec. 27 and 28. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guardsman donates stimulus check to local business
February 3, 2021
Oklahoma Army National Guard Capt. Jeff Morefield, left, commander of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard, donated his entire stimulus check to local business owner Jennifer Webster, right. The donation spurred a cascade of giving to local businesses within the Edmond, Oklahoma area.

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert
Thunderbird Challenge Program teaches cadets no obstacle too big to overcome
Oklahoma National Guard
Oct. 25, 2024 | 1:23
The Thunderbird Challenge Program is a 22-week tuition-free military program for Oklahoma students in need of school credit recovery. The program uses the structure and discipline of the military to support cadets while they attend high school classes, GED classes as well as learn job skills and life coping skills.

While at Camp Gruber Training Center, Thunderbird cadets took on the same obstacle course that Soldiers taking part in Air Assault School, best warrior competitions and pre-mobilization training face.

The cadets also faced off with one another in pugil stick bouts supervised by TCP cadre, and some cadets had the opportunity to rappel from CGTC’s 40-foot rappel tower. (Oklahoma National Guard video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

CG:
00:15:08
Traci Johnson
Commandant of Cadets, Thunderbird Challenge Program

00:34:27
Marissa Treat
Thunderbird Challenge Program Cadet
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