News from the Oklahoma National Guard

137th SOW hosts tactical communicators in AFSOC course
May 7, 2026 — Expeditionary Communications (XCOMM) Air Commandos from across Air Force Special Operations Command attended the latest iteration of the AFSOC tactical communicator course hosted by 137th Special Operations Wing at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, March 2 - April 17, 2026... MORE

A 353rd Special Operations Wing Air Commando awaits an incoming cross-country high frequency communications call on an AN/PRC-167 radio during an Air Force Special Operations Command tactical communicator course hosted by the 137th SOW at John W. Nichols Scout Ranch, Oklahoma City, March 31, 2026. With each iteration of the course, AFSOC adapts and shapes expeditionary communications Air Commandos assigned to wings across the globe for mission success within special operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Erika Chapa)

Oklahoma National Guard hosts inaugural battlefield resilience camp at Camp Gruber
April 28, 2026 — Soldiers with the Oklahoma National Guard hosted the first-of-its-kind Oklahoma Battlefield Resilience Camp at Camp Gruber Training Center from April 18–24, 2026, marking the first time resiliency, suicide prevention and holistic health principles have been deliberately combined with infantry squad-level tactics in a single training program... MORE

Capt. Mark Wrenn, Oklahoma Battlefield Resilience Camp creator and officer in charge, acts as a simulated hostage while Soldiers practice iCOVER techniques to manage an acute stress and injury scenario during the Oklahoma Battlefield Resilience Camp at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Okla, April 23, 2026. The training emphasizes integrating resilience and behavioral health skills into squad-level tactics, ensuring Soldiers remain lethal, cohesive and prepared to respond to complex missions at home and abroad. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

Oklahoma Air National Guard breaks ground on new Airmen’s center to enhance readiness and support
April 23, 2026 — Thursday, April 23, 2026... MORE

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.

Video by Leanna Maschino

Download

Oklahoma National Guardsman honored at inaugural Oklahoma Medal of Valor and Oklahoma Purple Heart award ceremony

Oklahoma National Guard

May 18, 2021 | 1:12

Governor Kevin Stitt presented the Oklahoma Medal of Valor to an Oklahoma Army National Guard Sgt. Pedro Gonzales, III, and the Oklahoma Purple Heart to Tulsa Police Sgt. Craig Johnson, Tulsa Police Officer Aurash Zarkeshan and Oklahoma City Police Officer Zachary Barby during a ceremony in the Blue Room at the Oklahoma State Capitol, May 18.