News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma Army National Guard enhances artillery readiness with live-fire, air insertion training
March 12, 2025 — Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers demonstrated their ability to rapidly mass troops and equipment during live-fire artillery training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on March 7-9... MORE

Field artillery Soldiers assigned to Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, emplace an M777 howitzer during training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, March 7, 2025. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

OKGuard mechanics compete for annual Mechanic of the Year
March 5, 2025 — OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen gathered to compete for the title of Mechanic of the Year at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Norman, Oklahoma, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 and Feb. 26-27, 2025... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard member Sgt. David Quinn, a mechanic with a team from Field Maintenance Shop Six, inspects a humvee during the Mechanic of the Year competition held at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Norman, Oklahoma, Feb. 26, 2025. The Guardsmen came together for the fourth annual competition, teaming up to showcase their mechanic skills and connect with fellow competitors.(Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

OKGuard flight crew supports Air Force paradrop training
February 21, 2025 — An Oklahoma National Guard flight crew out of the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma assisted in a joint training paradrop event out of Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, Jan. 22, 2025. The six members of the flight crew carried Air Commandos from the Air Force Special Operations Command to altitude in a UH-60 Black Hawk, where they conducted... MORE

An Air Force Special Operations Air Commando prepares to land during training at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Area, Arkansas. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

OKGuard Leader Retires after over 30 years of service
February 7, 2025 — Friends, family and fellow Guardsmen gathered at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center to celebrate a retirement ceremony for Col. Shane Riley, former director of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program for the Oklahoma Army National Guard, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025... MORE

Col. Shane Riley speaks during his retirement ceremony, held at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center, in Norman Oklahoma, Feb. 1, 2025. Riley’s last assignment was director of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program for the Oklahoma Army National Guard, and his career spanned 36 years and included four deployments. (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by Spc. Brooklyn Clark)

OKGuard, Air Force conduct joint MEDEVAC training at Tinker AFB
February 5, 2025 — Airmen from the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, teamed up with Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, 90thTroop Command for a joint medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) training exercise at the Glenwood Training Area, Jan. 28, 2025.During the exercise, combat medics practiced patient... MORE

Crew chiefs assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard, and Airmen assigned to the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, secure medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) dummies into a UH-60 Black Hawk during a joint training exercise at the Glenwood Training Area in Oklahoma City, Jan. 28, 2025. During the exercise, combat medics from the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, practiced patient stabilization, MEDEVAC calls, and loading procedures while coordinating closely with the OKARNG pilots conducting helicopter insertions in austere environments. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Heavy maintenance operations keep OKGuard Black Hawks mission-ready
February 4, 2025 — The Black Hawk mechanic’s function is essential to maintaining the performance and safety standards of the aircraft, and includes performing inspections and replacing faulty parts. Their job is an integral part of successfully carrying out missions such as disaster relief and counter-drug operations... MORE

MOS Highlights
15T UH60 Helicopter Repairer

Oklahoma Military Department announces launch of Sooner Job ChalleNGe
February 4, 2025 — The Oklahoma Military Department’s Sooner Job ChalleNGe program is officially underway as students begin classes. The Sooner Job ChalleNGe Program is an optional next step for graduates of the Thunderbird Challenge Program where graduates will have the opportunity to further their success through career readiness and vocational training at Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City... MORE

Students, or “associates” enrolled in the Oklahoma Military Department’s Sooner Job ChalleNGe in-process at the program’s campus in Oklahoma City, Jan. 28, 2025. The Sooner Job ChalleNGe Program is an optional next step for graduates of the Thunderbird Challenge Program where they will have the opportunity to further their success through career readiness and vocational training at Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

OKGuard looks back on 2025 Presidential Inauguration
February 4, 2025 — Approximately 100 Oklahoma Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers joined 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states and territories to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Hatter, assigned to 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma National Guard, poses for a portrait during the presidential motorcade for the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2025. Approximately 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states and territories comprise JTF-DC to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration, continuing a legacy that began in 1789 when their predecessors escorted George Washington to the first inauguration. At the request of civil authorities, these National Guard service members provide critical support such as crowd management, traffic control points, CBRN response, civil disturbance response and sustainment operations. Their expertise and seamless collaboration with interagency partners help ensure a safe and peaceful transition of power during this historic event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Tyler Brahic)

Newberry awarded Star of Valor for life-saving actions
February 4, 2025 — Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presented 2nd Lt. Gary Newberry, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor, at the 1-180th CAV's headquarters in Ardmore, Oklahoma, February 2, 2025, for Newberry's actions rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle on July 6, 2024.Award Citation:For 2LT... MORE

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presents 2nd Lt. Gary Newberry, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor at the 1-180th CAV's headquarters in Ardmore, Oklahoma, February 2, 2025, for Newberry's actions rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle on July 6, 2024. (courtesy photo provided by 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment)

OKGuard hosts 2nd annual unmanned aerial systems symposium
January 23, 2025 — The Oklahoma National Guard hosted the second annual OKNG Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Symposium at the Oklahoma State University Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City, Jan. 21-22... MORE

Col. Shane Riley, director, Oklahoma National Guard Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program, welcomes attendees to the second annual OKNG UAS/LE Symposium at the Oklahoma State University Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City, Jan. 21, 2025. Topics at the symposium included emerging UAS threats, Department of Defense and National Guard integration in advanced air mobility, maneuver training, integrating UAS in interagency operations, and counter-UAS initiative development. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert

From scrap paper to state-of-the-art: Oklahoma National Guard unveils new Wellness Center

Oklahoma National Guard

Feb. 19, 2026 | 1:03

Video reel: Oklahoma National Guard leadership held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, for the Oklahoma National Guard Wellness Center, a nearly 35,000-square-foot facility at the Oklahoma City Military Complex in Oklahoma City. Amenities within the wellness center include a fully equipped workout space for resistance training and agility, indoor and outdoor meditation spaces, a chapel, conference rooms, classroom spaces, and a teaching kitchen. The facility also houses OKNG programs and services, including Behavioral Health, Chaplain, Equal Employment Opportunity, Family Programs, Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F), Integrated Primary Prevention, Resilience, Suicide Prevention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Risk Reduction, and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response.