News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Adjutant General's message: Dec. 30, 2021
December 30, 2021 — To the Airmen of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, The Department of Defense (DoD) has indicated it will recoup any pay provided to unvaccinated Airmen who drill after January 1st. DoD controls the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and can enforce this threat outside of the State of Oklahoma's control... MORE

Three Air National Guard wings participate in Mobile User Objective System training
December 13, 2021 — U.S. Air Force Airmen with the Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas Air National Guard connect to a call on PRC-117G Multiband Networking Manpack Radios during a Mobile User Objective System training course at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, Dec. 2, 2021. The five day training event covered planning, provisioning and operations in five... MORE

Adjutant General's message: Dec. 9, 2021
December 9, 2021 — Oklahoma Guard Family, I owe you an update on the latest news concerning the DoD COVID-19 vaccine mandate, specifically the new guidance from the Secretary of the Air Force. First let me stress again, that as the Governor has repeatedly said, this is an issue of personal responsibility:Personal responsibility necessitates you educate yourself,... MORE

137th SOW hosts CANSOFCOM aircrew for MC-12W training
December 8, 2021 — Members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) participated in the first-ever Manned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Fundamentals Course held by the 137th Special Operations Group (SOG), Aug. 2-Oct. 25, 2021, at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City... MORE

two pilots and the view from the cockpit

Lt. Col. Casey Reed promoted to colonel
December 7, 2021 — Friends, family and fellow Guardsmen gathered to celebrate Lt. Col. Casey Reed, operations officer with the Oklahoma National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, who promoted to the rank of colonel in a ceremony held at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Dec. 4, 2021... MORE

Lt. Col. Casey Reed, deputy chief of staff for operations with the Oklahoma Army National Guard, stands as he is pinned the rank of colonel by his father, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Morgan Reed, and his father-in-law, retired Navy Capt. Gene Davis, at his promotion ceremony held at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Dec. 4, 2021. Reed has served for 35 years, including 26 years of commissioned service as an infantry officer. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma Air National Guard pilot receives Distinguished Flying Cross
December 7, 2021 — The Oklahoma Air National Guard held a ceremony Sunday, December 5th, celebrating the heroic airborne acts of Lt. Col. Michael Coloney during a Taliban attack on U.S. and Afghan Special Forces in Afghanistan on April 30, 2018. ... MORE

Retired Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt III, former Director of the Air National Guard, presents Lt. Col. Mike Coloney, 125th Fighter Squadron director of operations, the Distinguished Flying Cross Dec. 5, 2021. The actions Coloney took on April 30, 2018 over the skies of Afghanistan saved countless lives and earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by A1C Allen Tyler/Released)

Oklahoma Guardsman donates kidney to retiree, friend
November 23, 2021 — A little over a year ago, Capt. Christopher Buck, a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, had a life-changing decision in front of him; a decision that would save his friend's life... MORE

137 SOW exercises Mission Sustainment Teams, develops multi-capable Airmen for tomorrow’s fight
November 18, 2021 — Fifty-five Airmen from five squadrons began Mission Sustainment Team (MST) training, which will create multi-capable Airmen ready to sustain livable conditions in deployed environments Nov. 5-7, 2021, in Oklahoma City... MORE

Statement on COVID vaccination policy
November 13, 2021 — The Oklahoma National Guard released a statement today concerning their policy on COVID vaccination mandates for the Soldiers and Airmen in their formations. At the direction of Governor Kevin Stitt, Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, the adjutant general for Oklahoma, issued updated COVID-19 vaccine policy for the Oklahoma National Guard... MORE

Governor Stitt Names New Adjutant General for Oklahoma
November 10, 2021 — Governor Kevin Stitt today named Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino as The Adjutant General for Oklahoma and commander of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard... MORE

Official portrait of Brig. Gen. Tommy Mancino.

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.