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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

NEWS | Aug. 2, 2024

Will Roger Air National Guard Base receives first AT-802U trainer aircraft

By Senior Airman Erika Chapa

OKLAHOMA CITY -  Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma, welcomed its first AT-802U trainer aircraft on July 29 following test pilot training at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The AT-802U trainer aircraft will be used to train initial cadre in a representative tail wheel aircraft in preparation for the missionized Armed Overwatch (OA-1K) variant.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall selected Will Rogers ANGB for the Total Force Integration OA-1K Formal Training Unit.

The OA-1K is a low-cost, multirole, rapidly-deployable, small-to-medium size aircraft system to support geographically isolated special operations personnel. The aircraft will perform close air support, precision strike, armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in austere and permissive environments.

The 137th Special Operations Wing welcomes its first AT-802U trainer aircraft at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, July 29, 2024, following test pilot training at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The AT-802U trainer aircraft will be used to train initial cadre in a representative tail wheel aircraft in preparation for the missionized Armed Overwatch (OA-1K) variant. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall selected WRANGB for the Total Force Integration OA-1K Formal Training Unit. The OA-1K is a low-cost, multirole, rapidly-deployable, small-to-medium size aircraft system to support geographically isolated special operations personnel. The aircraft will perform close air support, precision strike, armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in austere and permissive environments. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Erika Chapa)
SLIDESHOW | 3 images | 240729-Z-NA392-1003 The 137th Special Operations Wing welcomes its first AT-802U trainer aircraft at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, July 29, 2024, following test pilot training at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The AT-802U trainer aircraft will be used to train initial cadre in a representative tail wheel aircraft in preparation for the missionized Armed Overwatch (OA-1K) variant. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall selected WRANGB for the Total Force Integration OA-1K Formal Training Unit. The OA-1K is a low-cost, multirole, rapidly-deployable, small-to-medium size aircraft system to support geographically isolated special operations personnel. The aircraft will perform close air support, precision strike, armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in austere and permissive environments. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Erika Chapa)
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
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