News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma Guard aviation unit trains for deployment to Kosovo
January 11, 2024 — Nearly 50 Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion (Assault Helicopter Battalion), 244th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, are undergoing mobilization training in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian (KFOR)... MORE

A Soldier with Echo Company, 1st Battalion (Assault Helicopter Battalion), 244th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard watches a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter take off at Fort Cavazos, Texas, Jan. 10, 2024. The 244th AHB underwent rigorous mobilization training in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma aviation unit deploys to Kosovo
December 30, 2023 — Loved ones gather alongside nearly 50 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen during a deployment ceremony held Dec. 30, 2023 at the Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma... MORE

Loved ones gather alongside nearly 50 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen during a deployment ceremony held Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at the Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Members of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion (Assault Helicopter Battalion), 244th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, will deploy overseas to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian (KFOR). KFOR is a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo that is comprised of 27 partner nations. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reece Heck)

Retired Guardsman strengthens the future of aviation by honoring its past
December 30, 2023 — There is something so fascinating and exhilarating about aviation that compels people, especially from a young age, to want to fly. For some, the fascination seems to appear out of nowhere and grows over time. It is almost like these aviators were bitten by a bug, encouraging them to spread their wings and fly. At least, that is one aviator’s theory... MORE

Retired Col. Robert Prater, a former 137th Special Operations Wing Guardsman, shows air show attendees his T-6G Texan aircraft at the Tinker Air Show on July 1, 2023, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City. Prater has been flying World War II-style aircraft for over 20 years to share military history with future generations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Erika Chapa)

137th SOW celebrates 2023 Oklahoma Women in Aviation
December 8, 2023 — The 137th Special Operations Wing hosted the seventh Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day celebration Dec. 8, 2023, at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City. The annual event pays homage to the many women who have made significant contributions to the state’s aviation and aerospace industry... MORE

Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino's Veterans Day message to the OKNG
November 8, 2023 — On this Veterans Day, I wanted to express my profound gratitude to all our nation’s veterans, with a special focus on the remarkable Citizen-Airmen and Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier trains for the Olympics
October 19, 2023 — The Oklahoma Army National Guard is made up of more than 8,000 Citizen-Soldiers but only one holds the title of Soldier-athlete – Spc. Dalton Duffield... MORE

Spc. Dalton Duffield, an Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier and Moore, Oklahoma native, throws his competitor during a wrestling practice match at Fort Carson, Colorado, Aug. 8, 2023. Duffield is a member of the Oklahoma National Guard and a Greco-Roman wrestler pursuing his Olympic goals through the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

OKNG RTI first in nation to use female mannequins for medical training
October 19, 2023 — The Oklahoma National Guard's Regional Training Institute is the first National Guard RTI in the nation to field female mannequins to prepare military medics and first responders better to treat female trauma patients. ... MORE

63rd Civil Support Team trains with first responders from across the state
October 19, 2023 — In a weeklong operational readiness exercise, the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team with Task Force One and various first responders from across the state honed their search and rescue skills recently... MORE

A member of the Oklahoma National Guard’s 63rd Civil Support Team, Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Poland, constructs a solid sole raker that would hold a wall in place when damaged, during a collapsed building exercise at the Edmond Fire Training Center, Edmond, Oklahoma, October 4, 2023. This simulation is part of a biennial weeklong operational readiness exercise, designed to ensure local first responders maintain preparedness and familiarity with one another. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reece Heck)

COMAFSOC visits 137th Citizen Air Commandos
October 18, 2023 — U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green, command chief of AFSOC, were introduced to the Air Commandos of the 137th Special Operations Wing during a visit Oct. 15, 2023... MORE

Airmen observe a group of people clearing debris during training

CMSAF underscores need for 137th SOW multi-capable Airmen
October 16, 2023 — Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass saw firsthand how Citizen Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Wing set the Oklahoma Standard across the force during a visit to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, Oct. 12, 2023... MORE

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