News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Dachau concentration camp unveils plaque honoring liberators of the 45th Infantry Division
May 29, 2025
A plaque commemorating the Soldiers of the 45th Infantry Division who helped liberate the Dachau Concentration Camp on April 29, 1945, and honoring the memory of Holocaust victims, is displayed at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site in Germany. Unveiled on the 80th anniversary of the camp’s liberation, the April 29, 2025 ceremony included members of the Oklahoma National Guard, 45th Infantry Division Association, a Holocaust survivor, a 20th Armored Division veteran, and representatives from the Bavarian Memorial Foundation and the Comité International de Dachau. (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma Guardsman receives Star of Valor for saving fellow Soldier
May 20, 2025
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presents 1st Sgt. Matthew Klemann, Echo Company, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor award at the Armed Forces Reserves Center in Norman, Oklahoma, May 18, 2025. The medal is Oklahoma’s second-highest military award and honors Oklahoma National Guard members who perform heroic or valorous acts in non-combat situations. Klemann received the Star of Valor for his quick and courageous action in administering the Heimlich maneuver during a retirement ceremony in 2021. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Cambrie Cannon)

Nebraska National Guardsmen take 2025 National Guard Region V Best Warrior Competition
May 17, 2025
Nebraska National Guardsman Spc. Alexander Thomson, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 134th Infantry Regiment was named the 2025 National Guard Region V Soldier of the year during an awards ceremony held May 16, 2025 in Oklahoma City. The Region V Best Warrior Competition is an annual event that tests Soldiers and non-commissioned officers on their physical and mental endurance, tactical proficiency and overall Soldiering skills. The winning NCO and Soldier of the year will go on to represent Region V at the National Guard Best Warrior Competition later this year, where they will compete against top Soldiers from all 54 states and territories. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Brooklyn Clark)

DFT Provides Training While Enhancing Welfare
May 14, 2025
Members from the 138th Fighter Wing and the Seward Military Resort take a group photo during a deployment for training in Seward, Alaska, April 19, 2025. During the DFT, the 138th CES completed vital training while enhancing the resort’s ability to provide support to service members and their families. (Oklahoma Air National Guard Photo by Master Sgt. Rebecca Imwalle)

137th SOW OKANG Airmen maneuver through TRADEWINDS25
May 13, 2025
An Airman unravels a net

OKNG hosts second annual Domestic Operations Symposium
April 17, 2025
Emergency management professionals and military members answer questions about natural disaster response during the 2025 Oklahoma National Guard Domestic Operations Symposium, in Norman, Oklahoma, April 15, 2025. The symposium brings city, county, state, federal and neighboring states together to build partnerships to face future natural and man-made disasters. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

CW5 Murphy retires after nearly 40 years
April 1, 2025
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Melvin J. Murphy receives the Legion of Merit from Col. Eric W. Frazier, chief of staff for logistics, during Murphy’s retirement ceremony held at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, Mar. 20, 2025. Murphy, a full-time Soldier with the OKARNG, was recognized for his outstanding career spanning 39-years in the military as an expert logistician. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Anthony Ackah-Mensah)

90th Troop Command welcomes new senior enlisted leader
March 18, 2025
Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Solis, the incoming command sergeant major for 90th Troop Command, salutes the flag during the playing of the national anthem during a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Gruber Training Center Saturday, March 1, 2025. The ceremony signifies the transfer of responsibility from outgoing command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Railyn Sanderson to Solis. 

“I'm a troop Soldier, so I like to be out there,” said Solis. “I like to see what everybody is doing. So just be prepared. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do.” 

(Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bradley Cooney)

OKGuard, SWOSU, Weatherford sign agreements fostering greater cooperation
March 14, 2025
(front row, left to right) Mayor Mike Brown, mayor of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Dr. Diana Lovell, Southwestern Oklahoma State University president, and Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, gather after signing agreements at Weatherford city hall in Weatherford, Oklahoma, March 12, 2025. The ceremony celebrated the signing of agreements, fostering cooperation between the city, university and the Oklahoma National Guard. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Tyler Brahic)

SWOSU GOLD Soldiers and student honored for saving fellow student’s life
March 14, 2025
Four Southwestern Oklahoma State University Guard Officer Leadership Program Development officer candidates and Statton Mantz, a student lifeguard at SWOSU, pose for a photo with SWOSU President, Dr. Diana Lovell, Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Command Sgt. Maj. John Hernandez, the state command sergeant major for Oklahoma, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The five students were presented with awards for saving the life of a GOLD officer candidate during training. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Tyler Brahic)

Video by Leanna Maschino
Camp Gruber opens first fire station since WWII
Oklahoma National Guard
March 24, 2021 | 1:44
Members of Camp Gruber Training Center, near Braggs, Oklahoma, held a ribbon cutting ceremony, Wednesday, in celebration of their new fire station opening since WWII. The Camp Gruber Fire Department's mission is to serve CGTC and its surrounding communities as part of a mutual aid agreement with Braggs, Fort Gibson and Muskogee. CGFD is one of 54 Fire and Emergency Services across the continental US and Puerto Rico and will operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week.


CG Information:

Lee Horst (00:02-00:06)
Fire Chief, Camp Gruber Fire Department

Col. Brad Carter (00:47-00:51)
Garrison Commander, Camp Gruber Training Center

Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson (1:31-1:38)
Adjutant General for Oklahoma
More