News from the Oklahoma National Guard

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.

First airborne ISR operator who enlisted as a 1A8X2 becomes senior noncommissioned officer
July 10, 2020 — Last month, the 306th Intelligence Squadron hosted a virtual promotion ceremony for Master Sgt. D. Cody Kaglic, 306th IS flight chief of standardization and evaluations. The occasion marked the first time in U.S. Air Force history that an Airman who enlisted day one as an Air Force Specialty Code 1A8X2 became a senior NCO, said Senior Master Sgt. T. Kearny Vertner, 306th IS superintendent... MORE

Oklahoma governor names Oklahoma Air National Guardsmen as state commissioner of health
July 10, 2020 — Air National Guardsman Col. Lance Frye, Oklahoma National Guard State Air Surgeon, was named as Oklahoma’s interim commissioner of health by Gov. Kevin Stitt, May 22, 2020.As the state air surgeon, Frye is the Oklahoma Air National Guard's senior medical officer and advisor to the Adjutant General. He is responsible for all medical matters in the... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard air traffic controllers receive send-off at deployment ceremony
July 10, 2020 — Oklahoma National Guard air traffic controllers receive send-off at deployment ceremonyBy Staff Sgt. Brian SchroederOklahoma National Guard Public AffairsMOORE, Oklahoma - Friends, family members and fellow Oklahoma National Guardsmen gathered for a departure ceremony for a small contingency of Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers July 1 at... MORE

Oklahoma Guardsman uses skills to help community
July 7, 2020 — Oklahoma Army and Air National Guardsmen, like all Guardsmen, serve on two fronts: one at home and one overseas. For many of those Guardsmen, the Guard’s current part in Oklahoma’s whole-of-government response to COVID-19 is their first state activation here at home. Oklahoma Air National Guard Senior Airman Kaleb Peckham, a water and fuels systems maintainer with the 137th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron, is one of them. He worked for weeks at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City before transitioning to other needed tasks within the state... MORE

Oklahoma Air National Guard Senior Airman Kaleb Peckham, a water and fuels systems maintainer with the 137th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron, poses for a photo at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, April 24, 2020. He worked for weeks at the Food Bank before transitioning to other needed tasks within Oklahoma during the state's whole-of-government response to COVID-19. (Oklahoma Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan Martin)

Perseverance during trying times turns Liberian into ANG Captain
July 7, 2020 — A journey that began in Liberia as the president of his seventh grade class led to fleeing the country during a civil war and ultimately becoming an officer in the Oklahoma Air National Guard is one of perseverance and determination. This journey is the life of Capt. Robert S. Gaygay, 138th Medical Group preventative health assessment officer in charge, who attributes his success in life to God’s blessing first; followed by his tenacity, humility and positive attitude, which he realizes has been the platform for who he is today. ... MORE

Capt. Robert Gaygay, 138th Medical Group, speaks with Airmen at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma, April 23, 2020. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, 25 Airmen from the 138th FW are working with the Tulsa Food Bank to provide support including receiving, packing and transporting food, as well as completing inventory food bank supplies. (Oklahoma Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Imwalle)

Video by Spc. Anthony Ackah-Mensah

SWOSU GOLD Soldiers and student honored for saving fellow student’s life

Oklahoma National Guard

March 13, 2025 | 1:22

Four Southwestern Oklahoma State University Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program officer candidates and one student lifeguard were honored on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, for their heroic actions in saving a fellow GOLD candidate during a training exercise on Jan. 28, 2025, in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Spc. Avrie Nowakowski, Spc. Diego Ortiz, Pfc. Rhyson Golightly, and Spc. Austin May were among the officer candidates who received the Army Achievement Medal for their actions.

Statton Mantz, the student lifeguard involved, received the Thunderbird Medal, the Oklahoma National Guard’s highest award presented to a civilian