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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Cable and antenna system technician Airmen with the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron watch as their colleagues scale an antenna tower at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., June 3, 2023. This training is crucial to the wing mission to ensure Airmen safety and preparedness for future missions. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes Released)

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230603-Z-BX562-1034

Cable and antenna system technician Airmen with the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron watch as their colleagues scale an antenna tower at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., June 3, 2023. This training is crucial to the wing mission to ensure Airmen safety and preparedness for future missions. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes Released)

Airman 1st Class Gregory Crowder and Joe Kuhn, 219th Engineering Installation Squadron cable and antenna systems technicianans, right, climb up an antenna tower during tower rescue training at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., June 3, 2023. The training simulates a scenario where an Airmen would pass out while still attached to the tower, requiring their wingmen on the ground to pull them away from the tower as they are lowered to safety. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes)

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Airman 1st Class Gregory Crowder and Joe Kuhn, 219th Engineering Installation Squadron cable and antenna systems technicians, right, climb up an antenna tower during tower rescue training at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., June 3, 2023. The training simulates a scenario where an Airmen would pass out while still attached to the tower, requiring their wingmen on the ground to pull them away from the tower as they are lowered to safety. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes)

Airman 1st Class Joseph Coppinger, 219th Engineering Installation Squadron cable and antenna systems technician, assists in the ascent of Airman 1st Class Gregory Crowder and Joe Kuhn, 219th Engineering Installation Squadron cable and antenna systems technicians, as they scale the antenna tower for tower rescue training at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., June 3, 2023. While the certification is renewed annually, Airmen at the 219th EIS often do it multiple times a year in order to be mission ready and to instill confidence in their abilities. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes)

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230603-Z-BX562-1021

Airman 1st Class Joseph Coppinger, 219th Engineering Installation Squadron cable and antenna systems technician, assists in the ascent of Airman 1st Class Gregory Crowder and Joe Kuhn, 219th Engineering Installation Squadron cable and antenna systems technicians, as they scale the antenna tower for tower rescue training at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., June 3, 2023. While the certification is renewed annually, Airmen at the 219th EIS often do it multiple times a year in order to be mission ready and to instill confidence in their abilities. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes)

A group of Airmen with the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron prepare for training at the base of an antenna tower in preparation for their training at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., June 3, 2023. Tower rescue is an annual requirement that the Airmen must pass in order to be mission ready, whether that be at home or at a another country. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes )

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230603-Z-BX562-1002

A group of Airmen with the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron prepare for training at the base of an antenna tower in preparation for their training at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., June 3, 2023. Tower rescue is an annual requirement that the Airmen must pass in order to be mission ready, whether that be at home or at a another country. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes )

TULSA, Okla. – The 219th Engineering Installation Squadron, 138th Fighter Wing recently conducted tower rescue training, a crucial aspect of their mission preparedness. Tower rescue training plays a vital role in ensuring the readiness and competence of our Airmen, equipping them with the necessary skills to handle challenging situations and ensuring mission success.

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert

Thunderbird Challenge Program teaches cadets no obstacle too big to overcome

Oklahoma National Guard

Oct. 25, 2024 | 1:23

The Thunderbird Challenge Program is a 22-week tuition-free military program for Oklahoma students in need of school credit recovery. The program uses the structure and discipline of the military to support cadets while they attend high school classes, GED classes as well as learn job skills and life coping skills.

While at Camp Gruber Training Center, Thunderbird cadets took on the same obstacle course that Soldiers taking part in Air Assault School, best warrior competitions and pre-mobilization training face.

The cadets also faced off with one another in pugil stick bouts supervised by TCP cadre, and some cadets had the opportunity to rappel from CGTC’s 40-foot rappel tower. (Oklahoma National Guard video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

CG:
00:15:08
Traci Johnson
Commandant of Cadets, Thunderbird Challenge Program

00:34:27
Marissa Treat
Thunderbird Challenge Program Cadet