News from the Oklahoma National Guard

OK Air Guard mourns loss of veteran pilot
March 26, 2021 — The Oklahoma National Guard has announced the loss of a great leader and pilot due to natural causes. Lt. Col. Eric Jauquet, of Claremore, Oklahoma, lost his life on March 20, at the age of 48. At the time of his passing, Jauquet served as the Commander of the 138th Operations Support Squadron for the Oklahoma Air National Guard... MORE

Lt. Col. Eric Jauquet, of Claremore, Oklahoma, lost his life on March 20, at the age of 48. At the time of his passing, Jauquet served as the Commander of the 138th Operations Support Squadron for the Oklahoma Air 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.

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.

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)

“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)

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.