News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Artillery booms as Soldiers re-enlist at Northern Strike 2024
August 23, 2024
Spc. Jonathan Underwood (right), a fire control specialist assigned to Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, Oklahoma National Guard, recites the oath of enlistment to Brig. Gen. Colby Wyatt, director of the joint staff for Oklahoma National Guard, during Exercise Northern Strike 2024 at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 12, 2024. NS 24-2 is a premier reserve component training event that focuses on joint readiness training to build interoperability and strengthen partnerships in an all-domain environment. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

Thunderbird artillery takes aim at Northern Strike 2024
August 16, 2024
Members of Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, load an M777 towed 155mm howizter during Exercise Northern Strike 2024, Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 11, 2024. NS 24-2 is a premier reserve component training event that focuses on joint readiness training to build interoperability and strengthen partnerships in an all-domain environment. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma National Guard breaks ground on wellness center focused on holistic health
August 14, 2024
Members of the Oklahoma National Guard, Flintco Construction, and the Oklahoma legislature, including Senators Chuck Hall, Brenda Stanley, and Roger Thompson, as well as Representatives Jason Lowe and Josh West, break ground on the Oklahoma National Guard Wellness Center at the Oklahoma City Military Complex in Oklahoma City, August 14, 2024. When completed, the 32,000-square-foot physical readiness center, constructed by Flintco Construction and designed by Larson Design Group, will replace the previous physical fitness facility located at the Oklahoma City Military Complex and will be open to members of the Oklahoma Air and Army National Guard, Oklahoma Military Department employees, and civilian law enforcement and first responders. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Brig. Gen. Rick Mutchler Retires After Distinguished Service in the Air National Guard
August 7, 2024
U.S. Army  Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presents U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Rick L. Mutchler, Oklahoma National Guard Chief of Staff-Air, with the Stanley F.H. Newman Award for his exemplary service to the Oklahoma Air National Guard during his retirement ceremony on Aug. 3, 2024, at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City. During the ceremony, Mancino praised Mutchler for his exemplary career and the profound impact he has had on the Airmen of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Caitlin Carnes)

90th Troop Command welcomes new leader, honors former
August 6, 2024
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, passes the brigade colors to the incoming commander of 90th Troop Command, Col. Steven D. Cheadle, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Lexington, Oklahoma, Aug. 4, 2024. The ceremony signifies the transfer of command from outgoing commander Col. Robert W. Walker, to the incoming commander, Col. Steve D. Cheadle. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Connor McBride)

Committed to service: An Oklahoma Guardman's dedication to giving back
August 2, 2024
Close up of Maj. Christopher Buck's nametape.

Will Roger Air National Guard Base receives first AT-802U trainer aircraft
August 2, 2024
The 137th Special Operations Wing welcomes its first AT-802U trainer aircraft at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, July 29, 2024, following test pilot training at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The AT-802U trainer aircraft will be used to train initial cadre in a representative tail wheel aircraft in preparation for the missionized Armed Overwatch (OA-1K) variant. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall selected WRANGB for the Total Force Integration OA-1K Formal Training Unit. The OA-1K is a low-cost, multirole, rapidly-deployable, small-to-medium size aircraft system to support geographically isolated special operations personnel. The aircraft will perform close air support, precision strike, armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in austere and permissive environments. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Erika Chapa)

700th BSB Soldiers train to operate, defend logistics hub
July 24, 2024
The Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 700th Brigade Support Battalion sets up a brigade support area at Glenwood Training Area in Midwest City, Oklahoma, July 13, 2024. The 700th BSB used their drill weekend to set up the BSA where they trained on their field crafts, including perimeter security, setting up a mobile kitchen trailer, and various warrior tasks. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

OKGuard’s Thunderbird Challenge Program empowers Oklahoma youth
July 18, 2024
Art by a Thunderbird Challenge Program cadet hangs on the wall.

Oklahoma ANG F-16s deploy to Polish Air Base for Aviation Detachment Rotation
July 16, 2024
Six U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 138th Fighter Wing at Tulsa Air National Guard (ANG) Base, Oklahoma, will began operations at Łask Air Base, Poland

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
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