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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

NEWS | Feb. 4, 2025

Heavy maintenance operations keep OKGuard Black Hawks mission-ready

By Spc. Danielle Rayon

01:29
VIDEO | 01:29 | Heavy maintenance operations keep OKGuard Black Hawks mission-ready

Helicopter repairers performed heavy maintenance on the Oklahoma National Guard’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dec. 17, 2024.

The Black Hawk mechanic’s function is essential to maintaining the performance and safety standards of the aircraft, and includes performing inspections and replacing faulty parts. Their job is an integral part of successfully carrying out missions such as disaster relief and counter-drug operations.

“As a Black Hawk mechanic, our daily duties usually consist of visual inspections,” said Sgt. Chad Hill, a flying crew chief/helicopter repairer assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment. “It’s very seldom that something does break, but when it does, we jump right into action and we’ll get that bird fixed.”
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
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