News from the Oklahoma National Guard

New Oklahoma National Guard Soldier continues family legacy
November 26, 2024 — Continuing her family’s legacy of service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, Pvt. Kristen Buck enlisted as a religious affairs specialist, assigned to Headquarters Company, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team... MORE

Pvt. Kristen Buck takes the Oath of Enlistment, officiated by her father, Maj. Christopher Buck, after enlisting in the Oklahoma Army National Guard as a religious affairs specialist, Oct. 15, 2024. Kristen continues her family's legacy by following in her father's footsteps, who has been a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard for the past 25 years. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reece Heck)

Selfless Service in Action: How the OKGuard supported Hurricane Helene relief efforts
November 22, 2024 — Oklahoma National Guard members with 90th Troop Command’s Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, provided relief efforts for North Carolina residents following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard members with 90th Troop Command’s Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, provided relief efforts for North Carolina residents following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The North Carolina Department of Emergency Management submitted an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request to the Oklahoma National Guard for one CH-47 Chinook helicopter with hoist equipment and aircrew to support Task Force South in Greenville, South Carolina. The helicopter and its crew of Oklahoma Guardsmen arrived in Greenville, South Carolina on October 6, 2024. While on ground, the team moved more than 97,000 pounds of equipment including generators, fuel, hay, food, water, clothing, blankets and more over the course of 18 days. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ivan Diaz)

138th Fighter Wing opens new small arms range complex
November 19, 2024 — The 138th Fighter Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard celebrated opening of the unit's new small arms range complex at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base, on Oct. 22, 2024. The new complex will allow for CATM training on base for Wing members and local partners. The complex includes a range with 14 lanes, a classroom, and cleaning and maintenance... MORE

Brig. Gen. Michael Meason, Oklahoma National Guard assistant adjutant general, fires the first shot in the new small arms range complex at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., Oct. 22, 2024. The new complex was a multi-million construction project that spanned over a one year and seven month time period. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Rebecca Imwalle)

Oklahoma National Guard hosts Leadership Oklahoma
November 19, 2024 — Members of Leadership Oklahoma gathered to learn about the Oklahoma National Guard and its role in local and national affairs at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nov. 14, 2024... MORE

Members of Leadership Oklahoma gathered to learn about the Oklahoma National Guard and its role in local and national affairs at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Tulsa, Nov. 14, 2024. The visit included briefs from both Air and Army National Guard representatives on the reach and readiness of the Oklahoma National Guard, and culminated in a ride on a UH-60 Black Hawk. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

Chickasaw Nation Governor reflects on service in the Oklahoma National Guard
November 14, 2024 — Before serving nearly 40 years as the Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Governor Bill Anoatubby served in his first leadership position as a member of the Oklahoma National Guard... MORE

Portrait of Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Tribe

Oklahoma National Guard Launched Effect Program, industry leaders propel cUAS modernization
November 14, 2024 — In a collaborative effort to bolster defense efforts against aerial threats, Oklahoma National Guard leaders gathered with state, education and industry partners to discuss Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) at the Tulsa Tech campus in Jenks, Oklahoma, Nov. 7, 2024... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard Col. Shane Riley, director of the OKNG's Launched Effects program during a meeting at the Tulsa Tech campus in Jenks, Oklahoma, Nov. 7, 2024. The meeting served as a collaborative effort to bolster defense efforts against aerial threats, bringing together Oklahoma National Guard leaders and state, education and industry partners to discuss Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma Army National Guard hosts Best Warrior
November 12, 2024 — 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... MORE

(left-right) Spc. Wesley McLin, a resident of Moore, Oklahoma, and Sgt. Bryce Hill, a resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, complete the ruck march phase of the Oklahoma Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, Nov. 8, 2024. Both Soldiers are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and participated in the OKARNG Best Warrior Competition which aims to test and recognize the skills, endurance and professionalism of the best Soldiers and NCOs within the organization. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Cambrie Cannon)

Thunderbird Challenge Program teaches cadets no obstacle too big to overcome
November 4, 2024 — Countless servicemembers have trained at Camp Gruber Training Center throughout the years, but on Friday, CGTC hosted a unique group of future leaders - cadets from the Thunderbird Challenge Program. ... MORE

Thunderbird Challenge Program cadets climb over an obstacle during TCP’s field day at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, Oct. 25, 2024. The Thunderbird Challenge Program is a 22-week tuition-free program operated by the Oklahoma Military Department and Oklahoma National Guard that provides Oklahoma students in need of school credit recovery with military-based structure, high school or GED classes, college courses, job training and essential life skills. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guard welcomes newly commissioned leaders
October 28, 2024 — Thirteen newly minted Oklahoma Army National Guard second lieutenants received their first salutes as commissioned officers during a ceremony at Camp Gruber Training Center on Oct. 20... MORE

The Oklahoma Army National Guard celebrated the graduation of Officer Candidate School class 69 and 70 at Camp Gruber Training Center in Braggs, OK on Oct. 20, 2024. The ceremony honored 13 Soldiers who successfully completed all the requirements of the OCS program, making them newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenants in the Oklahoma National Guard. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Cambrie Cannon)

Oklahoma National Guard helicopter, crew to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts
October 9, 2024 — At the direction of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and with approval from Governor Kevin Stitt, the Oklahoma National Guard is supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts in South Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Emergency Management submitted, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a request to Oklahoma for one CH-47 Chinook helicopter with hoist equipment and aircrew to support Task Force South in Greenville, South Carolina... MORE

An Oklahoma Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook is readied by Oklahoma National Guard members at the OKARNG Aviation Support Facility in Lexington, Oklahoma on Oct. 6 before deploying to South Carolina in support of Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

At the direction of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and with approval from Governor Kevin Stitt, the Oklahoma National Guard is supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts in South Carolina.

The North Carolina Department of Emergency Management submitted, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a request to Oklahoma for one CH-47 Chinook helicopter with hoist equipment and aircrew to support Task Force South in Greensville, South Carolina. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ivan Diaz)

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