News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma Army National Guard Aviators elevate their skills
October 7, 2020 — Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers with the 244th Aviation Regiment filled mountainous skies over Colorado during a five-day training exercise.The exercise, known as Operation Lead Bucket, took place near the Leadville-Lake County Airport, Leadville, Colorado, September 14-18.Operation Lead Bucket is a training exercise which is intended to... MORE

Members of a UH-72 "Lakota" crew with the 244th Aviation Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard practice dropping water from a Bambi bucket during Operation Lead Bucket, a training event in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sept. 14-18. Operation Lead Bucket is intended to provide challenging hands-on training focused on improved flying in high altitudes. (Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Emily White)

Oklahoma Guard cybersecurity team wins national competition
October 1, 2020 — OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma National Guard cybersecurity team took top honors Sept. 18-19 at the online 2020 NetWars Cyber Shield competition with National Guard and Reserve teams from 22 states.The Oklahoma National Guard cyber team, which competed under the name OKBOOMER, included Airmen and Soldier specialists in network and telecommunications... MORE

From left to right with the Oklahoma National Guard defensive cyber operations element, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tyson Joachims, Capt. Danny Slusarchuck, Sgt. Sean Singley, Staff Sgt. Rick Raper, Sgt. Brandon Dixon, and Tech Sgt. Craig Brown, mission defense team noncommissioned officer in charge with the 137th Special Operations Communications Flight, won the online 2020 NetWars Cyber Shield competition Sept. 18-19, 2020.

One Team, One Fight: Oklahoma National Guard Family Program Office assists after Hurricane Laura
September 16, 2020 — As 2020 proves to be a trying period of time with the ongoing pandemic and the unknown, the drive to help one another has yet to waver... MORE

As 2020 proves to be a trying period of time with the ongoing pandemic and the unknown, the drive to help one another has yet to waver. This was the case for contractors, state employees and Guardsmen with the Oklahoma National Guard Family Program Office, when they lent a helping hand to their fellow and familiar State of Louisiana after Hurricane Laura wreaked havoc on their coast.

Oklahoma Guard Soldier aids man injured in car rollover
August 24, 2020 — COWETA, Okla. – An Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier aided victims of an automobile crash that resulted in a vehicle rollover outside Tulsa Aug. 12.Spc. Clinton Fauss, a truck driver with 120th Forward Support Battalion, 120th Engineer Battalion, 90th Troop Command, was returning to the Broken Arrow Armed Forces Reserve Center after having lunch... MORE

Spc. Clinton Fauss, right, a truck driver with 120th Forward Support Battalion, 120th Engineer Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard, helped rescue Lee Harkin after his vehicle rolled into a ditch outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, Aug. 12, 2020.

Responding to COVID-19: the past, present and future of Oklahoma National Guard operations
August 18, 2020 — Waiting for the tip-off of an already delayed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz NBA game, Oklahomans — including those in attendance, those watching live from home and especially those on social media — sensed something was not quite right on the evening of March 11, 2020... MORE

Oklahoma Army and Air National Guardsmen, under direction of Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and alongside healthcare workers from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, help conduct COVID-19 testing at the Texas County Activity Center in Guymon, Oklahoma, May 16, 2020. As of May 19, 2020, Guymon had 650 confirmed cases of COVID-19, making it second in the total number of cases in Oklahoma. Oklahoma City, which has the highest number of COVID-19 cases, has the largest population of any city in Oklahoma, Guymon is 40th. The testing site was the first in the hotspot city to be open to all residents and not just those with doctor referrals. (Oklahoma Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Kasey M. Phipps)

Airmen from the 137th SOW, Tinker participate in tactical medical training
August 12, 2020 — Twenty-two members from the 137th Special Operations Medical Group, 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (137th AES), and the 72d Medical Group from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City participated in a Tactical Combat Casualty Care for Medical Personnel (TCCC-MP) course on Aug. 3-4, 2020, at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City. Students included flight nurses, medical technicians and physicians... MORE

simulated wounded patient is helped out of airplane

Sen. Inhofe visits the second-largest combat-coded F-16 unit in the Air National Guard
August 11, 2020 — Discussing the posture of a future fighter air frame to Tulsa, leadership from the 138th Fighter Wing and Oklahoma National Guard sat down with the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe... MORE

45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducts annual training
July 29, 2020 — Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) began their annual training earlier this week at armories and readiness centers across the state. “As Guardsmen, we have a duty to be ready for when our state and nation call on us,” said Col. Colby Wyatt, commander, 45th IBCT. “As Guard leaders, we have a duty to protect our force and their families from unnecessary exposure to COVID-19. However, even as the pandemic persists, we still need to be ready to answer that call.”... MORE

Spc. Nathaniel Harris, a Mustang, Oklahoma, resident and a cannon crewmember with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, adjusts a collimator for a 105mm howitzer during crew drill training at the unit's armory in Holdenville, Oklahoma, July 29, 2020. The Soldiers, along with other units of the 45th IBCT, are taking part in home-station annual training with limited field training exercises while implementing COVID-19 counter measures like social distancing or wearing masks when social distancing is not possible - such as during crew drills. (Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones)

Senate confirms Loh as next director of the Air National Guard
July 21, 2020 — The U.S. Senate confirmed U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael A. Loh to serve as the 13th director of the Air National Guard July 20. By assuming the post, Loh will be promoted to lieutenant general."General Loh is an outstanding leader who clearly understands the evolving and complex strategic environment we face at home and abroad," U.S. Air Force... MORE

U.S. Senate confirms U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Loh as the next director to lead the Air National Guard. Loh has served nearly 30 years in the Colorado Air National Guard and has experience in various key leadership roles, such as flight, squadron and group commander as well as the Colorado National Guard assistant adjutant general and adjutant general. Loh is a command pilot with more than 3,200 flight hours, including 2,900 hours and 128 combat flight hours in the F-16A/B/C/D Fighting Falcon.

Army Lt. Gen. Daniel Hokanson confirmed as NGB chief
July 21, 2020 — WASHINGTON – Army Lt. Gen. Daniel Hokanson was confirmed Monday as the 29th chief of the National Guard Bureau by the U.S. Senate.Hokanson, who also will be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be promoted to four-star general, the highest-ranking officer in the nation's oldest military force.The Senate action follows Hokanson's June 18... MORE

Army Lt. Gen. Daniel Hokanson testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services at a confirmation hearing for his appointment to the grade of general and to be chief of the National Guard Bureau, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., June 18, 2020. Hokanson was confirmed by the Senate July 20, 2020.

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