News from the Oklahoma National Guard

90th Troop Command welcomes new leader, honors former
August 6, 2024 — Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 90th Troop Command held a change of command ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Lexington, Oklahoma, Aug. 4, 2024, celebrating the end of Col. Robert W. Walker’s tenure and marking the transition of leadership to Col. Steve D. Cheadle... MORE

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 — Maj. Christopher Buck wears many hats: Soldier in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, vice president of the Oklahoma National Guard Association, hometown board member, camp counselor, volunteer firefighter, church group leader, husband and father, and organ donor... MORE

Close up of Maj. Christopher Buck's nametape.

Will Roger Air National Guard Base receives first AT-802U trainer aircraft
August 2, 2024 — Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma, welcomed its first AT-802U trainer aircraft on July 29 following test pilot training at Hurlburt Field, Florida... MORE

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 — Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, took part in a field exercise at Glenwood Training Area where the logistics Soldiers trained on multiple Soldier skills, July 13-14, 2024... MORE

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 — The Thunderbird Challenge Program, an initiative of the Oklahoma National Guard, is making a significant impact in the lives of at-risk Oklahoma youth by providing tools and opportunities to change their lives for the better... MORE

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, arrived at Łask Air Base, Poland, today, July 16, 2024.The aircraft arrived in preparation for the next 52nd Operations Group Det 1 Aviation Detachment Rotation beginning July 24.R)... MORE

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

138th Fighter Wing wins prestigious Disney Award
June 25, 2024 — The 138th Force Support Squadron services flight won the Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Disney Award for their exemplary nature in food service in the Air National Guard on March 14, 2024... MORE

138th Fighter Wing Services Flight, October 14, 2023, at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla. Services Flight is responsible for planning, preparing, and cooking meals for Airmen. This includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring they are nutritious, balanced, and meet Air Force standards. (Oklahoma Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. C.T. Michael)

45th Field Artillery Brigade holds change of command
June 20, 2024 — The Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Field Artillery Brigade held a change of command ceremony at the Mustang Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma, June 15, 2024, signifying the end of Col. Johnnie Dale Moss’ tenure and welcoming Lt. Col. William Kale Rogers as the new commander... MORE

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, passes the brigade colors to Lt. Col. William Kale Rogers, incoming commander of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard during a change of command ceremony held at the Mustang Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma on June 15, 2024. The changing of command signifies the transfer of responsibility from outgoing commander Col. Johnnie Dale Moss, to incoming commander Rogers. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Pfc. Brooklyn Clark)

Oklahoma Army National Guard member reaches highest rank for warrant officers
June 17, 2024 — An Oklahoma Army National Guardsman has been promoted to chief warrant officer 5, one of the rarest held positions in the state. Oklahoma City native, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Teneshea Jones who serves at the Oklahoma National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters in Oklahoma City as a senior human resource warrant officer was promoted to chief warrant officer 5, June 2, 2024... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Teneshea Jones, of Oklahoma City, is pinned with her new rank of chief warrant officer 5 during her promotion ceremony in Oklahoma City, June 2, making her the first African American female to achieve the rank. Jones currently serves as the senior human resource warrant officer in the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters. Less than one percent of warrant officers achieve the rank of chief warrant officer five, making it one of the rarest ranks to attain within the OKARNG. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Anthony Ackah-Mensah)

Oklahoma National Guard’s STARBASE OKC hosts STEM summer camp
June 14, 2024 — The Oklahoma National Guard’s STARBASE Oklahoma City hosted a science, technology, engineering and math summer camp at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, June 10-14, bringing excitement and educational opportunities to the children of Oklahoma National Guard members living in the Oklahoma City area... MORE

Larry Tettleton, an instructor with STARBASE Oklahoma City, teaches campers how to program a small robot during the STARBASE OKC summer camp at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, June 10, 2024. More than 50 children of Oklahoma National Guard members and Will Rogers Air National Guard base employees attended the camp where they took part in science experiments, built and coded robots to complete simple tasks, learned about computer aided design, and met with National Guard members to hear how STEM education helped propel them on successful careers in the military. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Video by Spc. Cambrie Cannon, Sgt. Haden Tolbert

Oklahoma Guardsmen face-off against drones in survivability exercise

Oklahoma National Guard

June 12, 2025 | 1:34

Soldiers assigned to the 45th Infantry Brigade took part in the first of a series of counter-unmanned aircraft exercises at Camp Gruber Training Center on June 12 and 13. This exercise focused on Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th IBCT being forced to avoid, react to, and counter reconnaissance drones and first-person view drones deployed to harass them as they battled opposing force role players.