News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma National Guard assists with COVID-19 vaccinations
March 17, 2021 — The Oklahoma National Guard, alongside the Oklahoma State Department of Health, continues their mission to support Oklahoma’s whole-of-government response to COVID-19 with vaccine support. As the response to COVID-19 progresses, the Oklahoma National Guard’s mission and focus changes to better serve the community... MORE

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 — An Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier was awarded the Oklahoma Star of Valor March 4 for his heroic actions in saving his neighbor's life. The state's second-highest military award was presented to Sgt. Pedro Gonzales III for stepping between his neighbor and a man who was attacking her with a knife in September... MORE

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 — At 42 years old, 2nd Lt. Bennie Brown, Jr., 120th Engineer Battalion personnel officer, has had an accomplished military career spanning 24 years. He has held four different military occupations, deployed to Afghanistan and became one of the top National Guard recruiters for minorities in Oklahoma. However, this was just the beginning of his career... MORE

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 — The Oklahoma Army National Guard, in partnership with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, responded to severe weather conditions in Stranded Motorist Assistance Recovery Teams made up of nearly 90 Soldiers... MORE

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 — At the request of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma National Guard is activating nearly 90 National Guard members and pre-positioning them at locations across Oklahoma in advance of a severe winter storm expected to impact the state early next week... MORE

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 — Capt. Jeffrey Morefield, commander of A Battery, 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, Oklahoma National Guard, deployed with his unit in support of Operation Spartan Shield in December 2019. While he was away, he watched from a secure location in the Middle East as COVID-19 spread around the world... MORE

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.

Camp Gruber to conduct prescribed burns
February 3, 2021 — The Oklahoma National Guard’s Camp Gruber Training Center has announced their intention to initiate prescribed (controlled) burns this spring and summer... MORE

A safety crew participates in a prescribed burn.

Oklahoma National Guard celebrates African American History Month
February 1, 2021 — National African American History Month in February celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation's history.This year, the U.S. Department of Defense is commemorating the 75th Anniversary of World War II by recognizing the... MORE

Black History Month Poster from Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.

45th Infantry Brigade Thunderbirds at the Capitol
January 21, 2021 — When our nation called for Guardsmen to defend the U.S. Capitol, nearly 400 Soldiers from the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team thunderbirds answered the call and rapidly mobilized, arriving in Washington on Sunday, January 17, 2021... MORE

An American flag and thunderbird patch are displayed on the uniform of a U.S. Soldier with the Oklahoma National Guard while providing security near the U.S. Capitol building, Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Imwalle)

Air National Guard: Defending America on the Capitol Grounds
January 20, 2021 — Airmen from the Oklahoma Air National Guard joined their Oklahoma Army National Guard counterparts to form a joint task force to provide on-the-ground support in Washington D.C. for the 59th Presidential Inauguration... MORE

A U.S. Airman with the Oklahoma National Guard provides updates to his team while providing security near the U.S. Capitol building, Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Imwalle)

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