News from the Oklahoma National Guard

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)

OKNG Soldiers take part in annual Mechanic of the Year competition
February 11, 2026 — Guardsmen from across the Oklahoma Army National gathered to compete for the title of Mechanic of the Year at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Norman, Oklahoma, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 and Feb. 10, 2026... MORE

Spc. Emmett Jones (left) and Spc. Layton Richmond (right) from the 1245th Transportation Company, 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard diagnoses an issue on a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle during the OKARNG’s 2026 Best Mechanic competition at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Norman, Oklahoma, Feb. 7, 2026. Guardsmen from across the state took part in a series of stations designed to test their skills in diagnostics, technical proficiency, including electrical circuits, measuring and inspection, and the use of the Army’s maintenance management system. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

Oklahoma Guard Help Welcomed in DC Amid Freezing Temperatures
February 10, 2026 — OKLAHOMA CITY – While life as usual has resumed for most Oklahomans after Winter Storm Fern, for Oklahoma Guardsmen deployed in support of D.C. Safe and Beautiful, winter storm response is still in full-swing.Lingering subfreezing temperatures in Washington have allowed now rock-hard snow to lock into place, creating road hazards and blocked... MORE

Oklahoma National Guardsmen deployed in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission as part of Task Force Thunder clear snow and ice from walkways around Washington, D.C., after Winter Storm Fern.

Oklahoma National Guard Deploys Motorist Assistance Teams Ahead of Winter Storm
January 23, 2026 — Governor Kevin Stitt has authorized the activation and deployment of Oklahoma National Guard stranded motorists assistance and recovery teams (SMART) following a request by the Office of Emergency Management in preparation for severe winter weather beginning Friday and lasting into the weekend... MORE

Making a Difference: Guardsmen Serve the Nation’s Capital
January 7, 2026 — For Soldiers and Airmen supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, service in the Nation’s Capital has become more than a duty; it has become an opportunity to strengthen public trust, support civil authorities and gain real-world experience while protecting the community they serve... MORE

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert

From scrap paper to state-of-the-art: Oklahoma National Guard unveils new Wellness Center

Oklahoma National Guard

Feb. 19, 2026 | 1:03

Video reel: Oklahoma National Guard leadership held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, for the Oklahoma National Guard Wellness Center, a nearly 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.