News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Oklahoma National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade welcomes new commander
June 14, 2024 — The 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, held a change of command ceremony at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Oklahoma, June 11, 2024, marking the end of Col. Andrew Ballenger's tenure and welcoming Col. Khalid Hussein as the new commander... MORE

Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, passes the unit colors to Col. Khalid Hussein, incoming commander of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, during a change of command ceremony held at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Oklahoma, June 11, 2024. Command of the 45th IBCT passed from Col. Andrew Ballenger, who led the unit since 2022 through numerous deployments and training exercises. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

1st Lt. Makya Stell wins NetWars, continues OKGuard legacy of cyber excellence
June 12, 2024 — 1st Lt. Makya Stell, a signal officer with the 205th Signal Company, made history and continued the OKGuard's legacy of cyber excellence while winning the annual NetWars competition at Cyber Shield... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guardsman 1st Lt. Makya Stell, assigned to the 205th Network Signal Company, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, wins the annual “NetWars” games during the Cyber Shield training event held at the Virginia National Guard State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach on June 8th, 2024. Stell was the first woman to have ever won the “NetWars” games as an individual player. SANS NetWars focuses on the practical application and assessment of hands-on cybersecurity training. The cyber range enables individuals to apply the knowledge they gained during training week in an isolated environment that prepares them for exercise week. Cyber Shield is the longest-running and largest Department of Defense cyber exercise composed of approximately 900 N.G. and Army Reserve Soldiers, Airmen, civilian cyber professionals, and international partners from across the globe. (North Carolina National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Tarkelly).

Oklahoma National Guard breaks ground on trench warfare lane
June 5, 2024 — The Oklahoma National Guard broke ground on a new state-of-the-art one-way attack trench warfare lane at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma on June 2... MORE

Leaders from the Oklahoma National Guard break ground on the Oklahoma National Guard’s new one-way attack trench warfare lane at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma on June 2, 2024. After reviewing how the war in Ukraine has developed over the last two years, Oklahoma National Guard leadership elected to construct a trench warfare lane to ensure its Citizen-Soldiers are ready to face large-scale combat operations against near-peer enemies like Russia and China. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Conner McBride)

Oklahoma Guardsman named US National Guard Region V NCO of the Year
May 29, 2024 — Staff Sgt. Brock Wilson, an Oklahoma City resident serving in the Oklahoma Army National Guard has been named the US National Guard Region V Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Brock WIlson, an Oklahoma City resident and Oklahoma Army National Guard member is recognized as the US National Guard Region V Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Gauret Stearns)

Oklahoma National Guard breaks ground on new museum
May 16, 2024 — The Oklahoma National Guard broke ground on the new Oklahoma National Guard Museum in Oklahoma City in a ceremony attended by veterans and current National Guard members on May 16... MORE

(Left to right) Chris Benge, president, Oklahoma National Guard Museum Foundation, Denise Neil, executive director, Oklahoma National Guard Museum, Rep. Judd Storm, Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, the adjutant general for Oklahoma, Sen. Brenda Stanley, Rep. John Talley, and Sen. Julia Kirt break ground during a ceremony to commence the construction of the Oklahoma National Guard Museum in Oklahoma City, May 16, 2024. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Mireille Merilice-Roberts)

Oklahoma National Guard holds annual Wellness Day event
May 15, 2024 — Members of the Oklahoma National Guard gathered to participate in a Wellness Day event at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, May 7, 2024... MORE

Capt. Essence Campbell, human relations/equal opportunity officer, participates in the “Social Wellness: Mentorship” breakout session during a Wellness Day event at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, May 7, 2024. Planned annually during mental health awareness month, the Wellness Day aims to educate and equip Soldiers and community partners with tools to promote holistic health and readiness for its service members. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma National Guard assists in Sulphur tornado relief
May 13, 2024 — Members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard are assisting residents of Sulphur, Oklahoma recover from a devastating EF3 tornado that tore through the town on April 27. ... MORE

Sgt. Andrew Serna, a Dallas, Texas resident serving with Delta Company, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, operates a forklift during tornado recovery efforts at the Murray County Expo Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma, May 9, 2024. Serna is one of the Oklahoma National Guard members activated to assist in warehouse operations supporting the emergency relief effort after an EF3 tornado devastated Sulphur on April 27. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

Oklahoma Guard recruiting battalion hosts fitness challenge for local CTE schools
May 13, 2024 — Oklahoma Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion hosts physical training challenge for local career technical education schools at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, May 3, 2024... MORE

45th FAB conducts inaugural Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Ruck March
May 13, 2024 — Service members from the 45th Field Artillery Brigade conducted a ruck march to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention in Mustang, Oklahoma, on May 5, 2024. ... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen march during the 45th Field Artillery Brigade’s inaugural suicide prevention ruck march held at Wild Horse Park in Mustang, Oklahoma, May 5, 2024. The 45th FAB hosted the ruck march to raise awareness about suicide prevention and the resources available to Guardsmen, veterans and the local community. (Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Elliot Kim)

Oklahoma Guard transportation unit awarded Meritorious Unit Commendation
May 8, 2024 — Members of the 1245th Transportation Company, 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard were presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation in a ceremony held at the Ada Readiness Center in Ada, Oklahoma, May 4, 2024... MORE

Master Sgt. Robert Yates, first sergeant of the 1245th Transportation Company, 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard during the company’s 2018-2019 deployment, attaches a Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon to the company’s guidon during a ceremony at the Ada Readiness Center, Ada, Oklahoma, May 4, 2024. The unit was awarded the commendation in recognition of their accomplishments during their 2018-2019 deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

Video by Leanna Maschino

Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0 Tests Oklahoma Guard's UAS Capabilities

Oklahoma National Guard

Sept. 13, 2025 | 2:13

Package: Members of the Oklahoma National Guard conduct Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0 at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Oklahoma. The exercise tested concepts for countering an evolving threat environment and drew visitors from across the state and world, including industry leaders, National Guard representatives, active-duty forces, and emergency management officials. Training included a Chinook infill, tactical movement through wooded terrain and clearance of an enemy trench system under simulated multi-domain threats, highlighting the integration of emerging technologies to enhance lethality, improve survivability, and sustain readiness for future conflicts. CG Information: Lt. Col. Brent Hill (00:08-00:14) Director, OKNG UAS/Launched Effects Program Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino (00:28-00:30) The adjutant general for Oklahoma Additional footage by: Sgt. Haden Tolbert Senior Airman Erika Chapa Sgt. Cambrie Cannon Sgt. Joe Pena Sgt. Kenshi Kaneshiro