News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Task Force Tomahawk returns to US after deployment to Horn of Africa
February 20, 2024 — The more than 1,000 Oklahoma, Nebraska and Indiana National Guard Citizen-Soldiers of Task Force Tomahawk are safely back on American soil after their nine-month deployment to the Horn of Africa... MORE

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 — Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen gathered to test their mechanical skills at the third annual Mechanic of the Year competition held at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Norman, Oklahoma, Feb. 7, 2024... MORE

(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 R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said that as the global security landscape has become increasingly complex, the National Guard continues to fill its role as an indispensable warfighting force while at the same time responding in times of crisis at home... MORE

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 — More than 20 emergency response agencies from across the state gathered for the Oklahoma National Guard’s inaugural Domestic Operations Symposium held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, January 23-24, 2024... MORE

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 — 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

airmen demonstrate a patient simulator to children

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)

Video by Spc. Anthony Ackah-Mensah

SWOSU GOLD Soldiers and student honored for saving fellow student’s life

Oklahoma National Guard

March 13, 2025 | 1:22

Four Southwestern Oklahoma State University Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program officer candidates and one student lifeguard were honored on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, for their heroic actions in saving a fellow GOLD candidate during a training exercise on Jan. 28, 2025, in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Spc. Avrie Nowakowski, Spc. Diego Ortiz, Pfc. Rhyson Golightly, and Spc. Austin May were among the officer candidates who received the Army Achievement Medal for their actions.

Statton Mantz, the student lifeguard involved, received the Thunderbird Medal, the Oklahoma National Guard’s highest award presented to a civilian