News from the Oklahoma National Guard

“Brothers” in Arms: Serving at the Capitol
January 19, 2021 — Two Oklahoma Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers are serving together in our Nation’s Capitol as both figurative and literal “brothers in arms.” Sgt. Kade Silvers and Sgt. Corbin Silvers, both from Enid, Oklahoma, are brothers who have taken time away from their civilian employers to serve with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and help preserve the integrity of the 59th Presidential Inauguration... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard members and brothers Sgt. Kade Silvers, right, and Sgt. Korbin Silvers, both of Enid, Oklahoma, pose at the U.S. Capitol building before beginning their shift monitoring the inner ring of security around the Capitol, Jan. 19, 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 to and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones)

More National Guard troops head to DC for inaugural support
January 14, 2021 — WASHINGTON – National Guard troops from Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Maine are heading to the nation's capital to support law enforcement through the presidential inauguration next week, joining fellow Guard members from more than a dozen other states.As of Jan. 14, there were about 7,000 National Guard members on the ground in the... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Bravo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stand guard Jan. 11, 2021, in Washington, D.C. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from multiple states have traveled to Washington to support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 59th presidential inauguration.

Oklahoma National Guard to support 59th Presidential Inauguration
January 13, 2021 — The Oklahoma National Guard has announced they will be sending approximately 400 Oklahoma National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen to our nation’s capital to support the 59th presidential inauguration... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard gives back to local communities
December 24, 2020 — Oklahomans helping Oklahomans, for the Oklahoma National Guard it’s more than just a saying – it’s a way of life. That mantra is what leads Guardsmen to serve our state and nation, and this fall it led to Oklahoma National Guard members and their families collecting more than 1,200 packages of new socks and underwear for homeless shelters across the state... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard delivers first COVID-19 vaccines
December 15, 2020 — The Oklahoma National Guard, in cooperation with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, successfully delivered the first COVID-19 vaccines today... MORE

Cpl. Danielle O'Connor and Spc. Ryan Tate (right) quickly move boxes containing COVID-19 vaccinations to vehicles the Guard members will use to transport the vaccines to sites across the state, Dec. 15, 2020.

These are the first two boxes of vaccines to be distributed from one of five centralized hubs supporting 11 satellite locations across Oklahoma. The Guardsmen will be using Oklahoma State Department of Health vehicles to transport the vaccines to the satellite locations with an escort from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Fallen National Guardsmen honored at Oklahoma History Center
November 25, 2020 — One tree. Twenty photos. Twenty pairs of empty boots. Twenty families who gave everything. The Oklahoma National Guard Gold Star Tree, which honors the 20 Oklahoma National Guard members who died while serving overseas since 9/11, is on display now through Dec. 28 in the 3rd floor atrium of the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City... MORE

IMAGE: The Oklahoma National Guard Gold Star Tree stands in the 3rd Floor atrium of the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City, Nov. 25, 2020.

The Oklahoma National Guard Gold Star Tree honors the 20 Oklahoma National Guard members who died while serving overseas since 9/11. The tree is decorated with photos and the names of the 19 Army National Guard Soldiers and One Air National Guard Airman who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guard to build new museum
November 11, 2020 — The Oklahoma National Guard has announced plans for the construction of a new Oklahoma National Guard Museum in Oklahoma City... MORE

63rd Civil Support Team Competes for title of Best CST
November 6, 2020 — The Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team (CST) participated in the inaugural Multi CST Challenge event in the Boone County Fire Protection District, Columbia, Missouri, Oct. 26-29. Unlike traditional training events, teams competed for the title of “Best Civil Support Team” to see who has the most efficient procedures... MORE

Photo: Staff Sgt. Corey Simmons, decontamination officer with the 63rd Civil Support Team, Oklahoma National Guard, dons a safety suit in preparation to decontaminate the survey team after they have completed their mission in the Boone County Fire Protection District, Columbia, Missouri, Oct. 26, 2020.

The 63rd Civil Support Team conducted a four-day joint training exercise to evaluate their response in supporting civil authorities at a domestic Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) incident site. CBRNE agents advise on response measures and assist with appropriate requests for additional support. (Oklahoma Army National Guard Photo by Spc. Caleb Stone)

Oklahoma Air National Guard squadron receives unit of the year award
October 15, 2020 — WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. — The 137th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron (137th SOLRS), Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, was named Military Unit of the Year by the Central Oklahoma Gerrity Chapter of the Air Force Association for 2019... MORE

Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron (137th SOLRS) and leadership of the 137th Special Operations Wing pose with a Military Unit of the Year award at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, Oct. 13, 2020. The annual award was given to the 137th SOLRS by the Central Oklahoma Gerrity Chapter of the Air Force Association for the unit’s impact on the U.S. Air Force mission as well as their involvement with their base and local community during 2019. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Kasey M. Phipps)

137th SOCES completes Main Gate modifications at WRANGB
October 7, 2020 — Modifications to the Main Gate for Will Rogers Air National Guard Base (WRANGB) in Oklahoma City were recently completed on June 19, 2020, including upgraded anti-terrorism force protection measures that help slow traffic before vehicles reach a pop-up barrier in the ground... MORE

At dawn, Guardsmen enter Will Rogers Air National Guard Base through the updated main gate in Oklahoma City on Oct. 3, 2020. The gate now includes upgraded anti-terrorism force protection measures as well as improved exterior lighting, which was converted to a more energy efficient LED alternative. The new lights use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. Modifications to the main gate were completed on June 19, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Alex Kaelke)

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