News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Future of drone defense takes flight at inaugural Oklahoma National Guard Counter-UAS Symposium
March 14, 2024
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, speaks during the inaugural Oklahoma National Guard Counter-Unmaned Aircraft Systems Symposium in Oklahoma City, March 12, 2024. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reece Heck)

Oklahoma National Guard Counter-UAS School trains with industry
March 13, 2024
The Oklahoma National Guard, in collaboration with various industry partners from across the state, conducted a test of the cutting-edge capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at Camp Gruber Training Center, Feb. 22, 2024. The budding program addresses the National Guard’s need to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield technologies, including the integration of artificial intelligence, countering the unmanned systems threat, and countless other emerging technologies. This initiative aims to equip and train the OKNG alongside civilian aerospace industry experts and local partners to enhance mission readiness in aviation and aerospace technologies of the future. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma Guardsman receives Star of Valor for heroic actions
March 7, 2024
Spc. Alexander Weimer, assigned to Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, speaks with Col. Andrew Ballenger, commander of the 45th IBCT at his Oklahoma Star of Valor Ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, March 3, 2024. Weimer was recognized for his bravery and compassion while assisting civilians involved in a vehicular collision while on his way to drill. (Oklahoma Army National Guard by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

Task Force Tomahawk welcomed home from Horn of Africa
March 2, 2024
A member of Task Force Tomahawk reunites with their family during a welcome home ceremony at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, Feb.  23, 2024. Task Force Tomahawk returned from a nine-month deployment in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, where the Citizen-Soldiers provided security at multiple sites across the Horn of Africa as well as manned the East African Response Force. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guard publishes 2023 Governor's Report
February 23, 2024
Oklahoma National Guard Logo

Task Force Tomahawk returns to US after deployment to Horn of Africa
February 20, 2024
Lt. Col. Brent Weece, commander, Task Force Tomahawk, (right) shakes hands with Lt. Col. Micheal Scanlon, state operations officer, Oklahoma Army National Guard at Fort Bliss, Texas, Feb. 18, 2024, after Weece returns from a nine-month deployment to the Horn of Africa. Task Force Tomahawk is made up of units of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team - primarily of the 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment as well as companies from the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment (Airborne). TF Tomahawk was responsible for security at multiple locations across several countries in the Horn of Africa as well as manning the East African Response Force. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma Guard conducts annual Mechanic of the Year competition
February 15, 2024
(From left to right) Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen Sgt. Kyle Ehrenberg, a rocket system crewmember assigned to the 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, Spc. Jasser Reyes, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to the 120th Forward Support Company, 45th FAB, and Staff Sgt. Brandon Burns, a motor transport operator assigned to the 120th FSC, 45th FAB, read instructions together during the Mechanic of the Year competition held at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Norman, Oklahoma, Feb. 7, 2024. The Guardsmen gathered to put their mechanic skills to the test in the third annual competition, working in four-man teams to beat out the competition while also getting to network amongst fellow competitors. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

National Guard Bureau Leaders Say Taking Care of Guardsmen Key to Meeting Mission at Home, Abroad
February 9, 2024
Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, meets with Arkansas Guardsmen assigned to Task Force Bowie, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, on rotation overseeing training with the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, Grafenwoehr, Germany, Oct. 21, 2023.

Oklahoma National Guard hosts inaugural Domestic Operations Symposium
January 23, 2024
Oklahoma Army National Guardsman Capt. John Schatz, a nuclear medical officer with the 63rd Civil Support Team, talks with members from emergency response agencies at the inaugural Domestic Operations Symposium at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, Jan. 23, 2024. More than 20 emergency response agencies from across the state gathered for the event to build a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities, encourage collaborative planning, mutual aid, and participation in upcoming training events. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reece Heck)

Oklahoma Guard aviation unit trains for deployment to Kosovo
January 11, 2024
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)

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert
OK Guard, Air Force units conduct joint MEDEVAC training at Tinker AFB
Oklahoma National Guard
Jan. 28, 2025 | 1:30
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 stabilization, MEDEVAC calls, and loading procedures while coordinating closely with the OKNG pilots conducting helicopter insertions in austere environments. These types of joint training operations are essential for ensuring cohesive procedures between multiple branches in real-world combat scenarios.

CG:
00:44-00:48
Col. Abby Ruscetta
72nd Air Base Wing Commander, Tinker Air Force Base
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