News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Exercise Lightning Strike Showcases OKNG, OEM Domestic Response with Integrated UAS Operations
April 17, 2026 — The Oklahoma National Guard, in partnership with Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, hosted Exercise Lightning Strike, a domestic exercise scenario of an EF5 tornado, at Camp Gruber Training Center, April 14 and 15, 2026. At the center of the exercise is the integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) across various scenarios, enabling real-time data sharing, improved situational awareness and more effective coordination among participating agencies... MORE

Two Oklahoma National Guardsmen along with a Skydio National Security Field Representative, one of many partners in drone innovation, prepare a drone for takeoff during Exercise Lightning Strike at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, April 15, 2026. The Oklahoma National Guard, in partnership with Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, hosted the domestic exercise based on a notional EF5 tornado. At the center of the exercise is the integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) across various scenarios, enabling real-time data sharing, improved situational awareness and more effective coordination among participating agencies. Exercise Lightning Strike brings together a wide range of agencies to operate within a shared framework, reinforcing the Guard’s role in supporting civil authorities during domestic incidents and natural disasters.(Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah)

137th Special Operations Wing participates in Sentry South 26-2
April 16, 2026 — 137th Special Operations Wing Airmen attended exercise Sentry South 26-2 Gulfport, Mississippi, March 2026. Sentry South 26-2 is a large force employment exercise focused on major combat operations and joint maritime opportunities in a contested or degraded operational environment... MORE

An Airman from the 137th Special Operations Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard, cares for a simulated patient during exercise Sentry South 26-2 at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, March 2, 2026. Sentry South 26-2 is a large force employment exercise focused on major combat operations and joint maritime opportunities in a contested or degraded operational environment. Sentry South 26-2 applies joint and combined warfighting doctrine against realistic and robust enemy integrated threat systems, all while under safe and controlled conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Swift)

137th SOW Conducts emergency medical care exercise at Sentry South 26-2
April 16, 2026 — Airmen assigned to the 137th Special Operations Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard, partnered with Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment (MEDEVAC), Michigan Army National Guard, to conduct emergency medical care in a hostile environment training during exercise Sentry South 26-2, March 2, 2026... MORE

A UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to the Mississippi Army National Guard raises a medical litter carrying a medical practice dummy during exercise Sentry South 26-2 at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, March 2, 2026. Sentry South 26-2 is a large force employment exercise focused on major combat operations and joint maritime opportunities in a contested or degraded operational environment. Sentry South 26-2 applies joint and combined warfighting doctrine against realistic and robust enemy integrated threat systems, all while under safe and controlled conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Swift)

OKGuard GOLD program holds flagging ceremony at SEOSU
March 13, 2026 — Students, Soldiers and Oklahoma military and education leaders gathered on the campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University on March 11, 2026, to uncase the guidon and officially inaugurate the university’s Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard Capt. Eric Langley, commander of the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program, stands with the newly uncased guidon at a flagging ceremony for the SEOSU’s GOLD program held Wednesday, March 11, 2026 in Durant, Oklahoma. The OKARNG’s GOLD program is designed to develop and prepare individuals for commissioned officer roles, equipping them with the skills needed to lead Soldiers effectively. Upon completion, candidates will attend Officer Candidate School. Once a candidate has completed the GOLD and OCS programs, they will become commissioned officers. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

Oklahoma National Guard Public Affairs Soldiers welcomed home
March 9, 2026 — Friends, families and leaders from the Oklahoma Army National Guard welcomed home Soldiers assigned to the 145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment during a ceremony in Mustang, Oklahoma, March 7, 2026. This ceremony recognized their accomplishments during a nine month deployment across Europe... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the 145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment stand at attention during their welcome home ceremony held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma on March 7, 2026. The Soldiers deployed in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, executing over 35 missions that showcased the specialized training of U.S. and allied special operations forces. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Cambrie Cannon)

Oklahoma National Guard supports February fire suppression mission, remains ready
March 9, 2026 — The Oklahoma National Guard has wrapped up fire suppression operations after dry, windy conditions fueled wildfires throughout Oklahoma in February. The Guard’s response, which was authorized by Gov. Kevin Stitt at the request of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, included 16 wildland firefighters who worked in areas near Talihina, Tahlequah and Stilwell... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard wildland firefighters conduct fire fighting operations near Talihina, Oklahoma, Feb. 26, 2026. Two eight-Guardsmen crews have been deployed to support the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and Oklahoma Forestry Services battle wild fires in the state. The Oklahoma National Guard Wildland Firefighting Program has more than 80 red-card certified Guardsmen trained to support federal, state and local agencies in combating fires. (photo provided by OKNG Wildland Firefighting Program)

Oklahoma Army National Guard deploys for fire suppression mission
February 25, 2026 — At the request of Oklahoma Emergency Management and authorization of Governor Kevin Stitt, members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard are responding to wildfires in northwest Oklahoma utilizing UH-60 helicopters and ground hand crews... MORE

An Oklahoma Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk flies over the 702 Fire in Blaine County, Oklahoma, after dropping more than 600 gallons of water on the fire, July 16, 2022. The Oklahoma National Guard is supporting the Oklahoma Forestry Services and local fire departments from the air using a UH-60 Black Hawk and a LUH-72 Lakota.

From scrap paper to state-of-the-art: Oklahoma National Guard unveils new Wellness Center
February 19, 2026 — What began as a simple sketch on a piece of scrap paper has become a reality for Oklahoma Guardsmen and local first responders. Oklahoma National Guard leadership held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday for the Oklahoma National Guard Wellness Center, a nearly 35,000-square-foot facility at the Oklahoma City Military Complex... MORE

Brig. Gen. Brad Carter, Col. Lindy White and Capt. E.J. Johnson, Oklahoma Army National Guard, are joined by Oklahoma Representative Chris Kannady, Flintco Construction, Larson Design Group, and Oklahoma Army National Guard Construction and Facilities Maintenance Office, during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Oklahoma National Guard Wellness Center in Oklahoma City, Feb. 19, 2026. The 35,000-square-foot facility at the Oklahoma City Military Complex in Oklahoma City. Amenities within the wellness center include a fully equipped workout space for resistance training and agility, indoor and outdoor meditation spaces, a chapel, conference rooms, classroom spaces, and a teaching kitchen. The facility also houses OKNG programs and services, including Behavioral Health, Chaplain, Equal Employment Opportunity, Family Programs, Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F), Integrated Primary Prevention, Resilience, Suicide Prevention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Risk Reduction, and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guard general nominated for top Air Force legal post
February 18, 2026 — The Oklahoma National Guard is proud to announce that one of its own, Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher A. Eason, has been confirmed for appointment to the grade of major general and assignment as The Judge Advocate General of the United States Air Force and Space Force. Brig. Gen. Eason will be the first Air National Guardsmen to hold this post since its establishment on January 25, 1949. ... MORE

Official Portrait of Brig. Gen. Christopher A. Eason

A Culinary Dynasty: 903rd Quartermaster Company secures third consecutive state title
February 11, 2026 — The 903rd Quartermaster Company has once again proven they are the culinary force to be reckoned with, taking home first place for the third consecutive year in the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s annual Culinary Excellence Competition held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma on February 7... MORE

(left to right) Spc. Jasman Lover-Said, Spc. Lindi Corless, Sgt. Juliana Martinez, Spc. Brayden Buffalohead and Sgt. 1st Class Emmanuel Okonkwo, all members of the 903rd Quartermaster Company, pose with their individual and team trophy after winning the third annual Oklahoma Army National Guard Culinary Excellence Competition, in Norman, Oklahoma, Feb. 8, 2026. This win for the 903rd marks the third time in a row a team representing the 903rd has placed first in the competition designed to recognize outstanding OKARNG cooks. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Anthony Jones)

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert

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Exercise Lightning Strike Showcases OKNG, OEM Domestic Response with Integrated UAS Operations

Oklahoma National Guard

April 15, 2026 | 2:23

The Oklahoma National Guard, in partnership with Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, hosted Exercise Lightning Strike, a domestic exercise scenario of an EF5 tornado, at Camp Gruber Training Center, April 14 and 15, 2026.

At the center of the exercise is the integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) across various scenarios, enabling real-time data sharing, improved situational awareness and more effective coordination among participating agencies.