News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma Guardsmen win Cyber Shield; a modern cyber warfare training exercise
June 16, 2023 — With technology continuing to advance at an unprecedented pace along with its associated threats, members of the Oklahoma National Guard joined approximately 800 military and civilian cyber professionals from 35 states, including international partners, for this year’s Cyber Shield, June 2-16. This year's exercise, won by the Oklahoma team for the second year in a row, was centered on critical infrastructure protection, incident response, network defense with a specific tie to U.S. Transportation Systems Sector and other crucial aspects of cybersecurity... MORE

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard cybersecurity team work together to defend networks during Cyber Shield 2023, held at the Professional Education Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, June 10, 2023. With technology continuing to advance at an unprecedented pace along with its associated threats, members of the Oklahoma National Guard joined approximately 800 military and civilian cyber professionals from 35 states, including international partners, for this year’s Cyber Shield, June 2-16, 2023. This year's exercise, won by the Oklahoma team for the second year in a row, was centered on critical infrastructure protection, incident response, network defense with a specific tie to U.S. Transportation Systems Sector and other crucial aspects of cybersecurity. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mireille Merilice-Roberts)

1-158th Field Artillery Regiment prepare HIMARS for Western Strike 2023
June 14, 2023 — Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard, had the opportunity to train alongside members of the U.S. Air Force during a Joint Aircraft Inspection and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems Rapid Infiltration (HI-RAIN) training mission at the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport, June 14, 2023... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, back a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) into a C-17 aircraft in preparation for transport at the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport June 14, 2023. The Soldiers were loading the HIMARS into C-17 aircraft assigned to the 97th Air Mobility Wing out of Altus Air Force Base as part of a joint exercise to practice the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s skills to rapidly and safely transport the launchers and equipment across large distances. (Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Spc. Caleb Stone)

Oklahoma Army National Guard engineers begin Innovative Readiness Training mission in Hawaii
June 12, 2023 — More than 30 Oklahoma Army National Guard engineers assigned to the 3120th Engineer Company, 120th Engineer Battalion, 90th Troop Command, arrived at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, June 11, where for the next few weeks they will be renovating the Girl Scouts of Hawaii’s Camp Kilohana... MORE

Sgt. Hunter Konemann, a Mustang, Oklahoma resident serving as a carpentry and masonry specialist with the 3120th Engineer Support Company, 120th Engineer Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard, builds support beams for a deck at the Girl Scouts of Hawaii's Camp Kilohana near Pahokuloa Training Area, Hawaii, June 14, 2023.

The Soldiers of the 3120th ESC are taking part in an Innovative Readiness Training program to improve their skills as Army engineers while providing the Girl Scout camp with improvements. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones)

Task Force Tomahawk arrives in Africa, assumes responsibility of crisis response mission
June 7, 2023 — Task Force Tomahawk, comprised of Citizen-Soldiers from the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, has successfully arrived in Africa, marking a significant milestone in America's ongoing commitment to protect and support its personnel and facilities across the continent... MORE

Lt. Col. Brent Weece, commander, Task Force Tomahawk, shakes hands with the commander of Task Force Wolfhound, New York National Guard, during the transfer of authority ceremony between the two units at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 3, 2023. (photo provided by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa)

219th Engineering Installation Squadron Stays Mission Ready With Tower Rescue Training
June 6, 2023 — The 219th Engineering Installation Squadron, 138th Fighter Wing recently conducted tower rescue training, a crucial aspect of their mission preparedness... MORE

Cable and antenna system technician Airmen with the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron watch as their colleagues scale an antenna tower at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., June 3, 2023. This training is crucial to the wing mission to ensure Airmen safety and preparedness for future missions. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes Released)

137th SOW Airmen unite for wing change of command
June 4, 2023 — Nearly 1,200 Airmen gathered for a change of command ceremony at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City June 3, 2023. Col. Christopher Gries, 137th SOW outgoing commander, passed the authorities and responsibilities of the wing to the 19th and current wing commander Col. Jason Davis... MORE

a crowd of airmen stand in orderly formation for a change of command

137th SOCF redesignated as squadron
May 31, 2023 — The 137th Special Operations Communications Flight was redesignated as a squadron May 7, 2023, during a ceremony held at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City... MORE

two people hold out guidons during a ceremony with onlookers

WWII Thunderbird turns 100
May 30, 2023 — The village of Mexico said happy 100th birthday on May 27, 2023 to Laurence “Sparky” Rector, a World War II veteran who fought with the Oklahoma National Guard’s 45th Infantry Division. One hundred people gathered at Mexico’s VFW Post 369 to celebrate his military service and his life at home over the Memorial Day weekend. Rector, who turned 100 on Memorial Day, also served as the grand marshal of Mexico’s Memorial Day Parade... MORE

The custom box presented to Laurence “Sparky” Rector, a World War II veteran of the 45th Infantry Division at his 100th birthday party in Mexico, N.Y., on May 27, presented by the Oklahoma Army National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade. Rector fought through Europe with the 45th Division and went on to be a successful wrestling coach and a beloved member of his community after the war. (New York National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Gunther)

OKGuard Recruiting to offer ASVAB prep courses
May 30, 2023 — The Oklahoma Army National Guard will be offering Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery preparation courses led by education professionals... MORE

Oklahoma Guard’s Civil Support Team assists local first responders in full-scale exercise
May 26, 2023 — In a joint effort to enhance emergency response capabilities, the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team collaborated with local first responders during a full-scale exercise held in Custer and Washita County and the City of Weatherford, May 23-25, 2023... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Willard Casey, member of the 63rd Civil Support Team, examines possible hazardous material during a training exercise May 23, 2023 in Weatherford, Oklahoma. In a joint effort to enhance emergency response capabilities, the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd CST collaborated with local first responders during a full-scale exercise held in Custer and Washita County and the City of Weatherford, May 23-25, 2023. The comprehensive exercise provided an invaluable opportunity for all participants to enhance their coordination, communication, and response capabilities. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Leanna Maschino)

Video by Pfc. Anthony Ackah-Mensah

Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers compete in the Sergeant Major’s Match and Governors Twenty Marksmanship Competition

Oklahoma National Guard

Sept. 15, 2023 | 1:06

The Oklahoma Army National Guard’s top marksmen were locked, loaded and aimed for excellence for the Sergeant Major’s Match and Governor’s Twenty marksmanship competition, Sept. 14-17.

The competitions consisted of accuracy matches on the M4 carbine and the M17 pistol, and tests a Citizen-Soldier’s ability to shoot from various positions and distances, taking them out of their comfort zone.

The Sergeant Major’s Match includes closer targets, faster reloading, and more weapons manipulation. The Governor’s Twenty focuses more on long-distance precision and accuracy.