News from the Oklahoma National Guard

US Army, Royal Brunei Land Forces kick off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26
August 12, 2026 — Approximately 130 U.S. personnel are participating in Pahlawan Warrior 26, a bi-annual U.S. Army Pacific and Royal Brunei Land Force exercise as part of Operation PATHWAYS. The Oklahoma National Guard serves as the primary U.S. training force for this year’s iteration, working alongside Bruneian counterparts to strengthen readiness, interoperability and the enduring relationship between the two forces... MORE

U.S. Army Col. Michael Scanlon, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Oklahoma Army National Guard (left) presents a gift to Lt. Col. Haji Mohammad Airul Wizam bin Haji Ahmad, Deputy Field Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force (right), during the opening ceremony for Exercise Pahlawan Warrior at Tutong Camp near Bandar Seri Begawan, Aug. 11, 2026. Pahlawan Warrior is a bilateral exercise held biennially between U.S. Army Pacific and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces designed to enhance readiness, interoperability, and the enduring partnership between the two nations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma, Guam and Malaysian forces sharpen combat skills with MILES
July 21, 2026 — Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers, alongside Guam National Guard and Malaysian Forces, sharpened their warfighting skills during a force-on-force training exercise using the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) as part of Keris Strike 2026 near Kota Belud, Malaysia, July 19, 2026... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Tyler Ganter (front) and Staff Sgt. Cooper Richards, infantrymen with 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, utilize Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems (MILES) to simulate force-on-force engagement during Exercise Keris Strike near Kota Belud, Malaysia, July 19, 2026. KS 26 incorporates MILES training to create realistic battlefield scenarios that strengthen combat readiness and multinational interoperability among American, Australian and U.S. Forces. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)

Oklahoma Citizen-Soldier harnesses AI to save thousands of hours of work
June 17, 2026 — A groundbreaking new artificial intelligence tool developed by an Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier is set to transform how the state processes military awards, potentially saving administrative staff more than 61,000 hours of paperwork while allowing them to focus more on supporting Soldiers and mission readiness... MORE

Sgt. Lorelei Hubbard, an administrative noncommissioned officer assigned to the Oklahoma Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, uses an artificial intelligence tool to rapidly determine award eligibility for a National Guard member at the RRB headquarters in Oklahoma City on June 17, 2026. The AI tool, developed by Staff Sgt. Herbert Hailey, improves the awards review process, saving hundreds of hours of manual review per Soldier, and could potentially save the OKARNG more than 60,000 hours when applied across the force. (Portions of this image have been blurred for OPSEC/PII purposes)(Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

New Oklahoma National Guard Museum opens to public
June 12, 2026 — Decades of military history officially transitioned into a new era as the Oklahoma National Guard hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 11 for its newly constructed museum, marking the culmination of a multi-year effort to preserve and expand the legacy of Oklahoma’s Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen... MORE

(Left to Right) Jay Fox, Hensel Phelps Construction; Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, Mayor David Holt, mayor of Oklahoma City, Mrs. Cindy Lankford, representing Senator James Lankford; Dr. Denise Neil, Oklahoma National Guard Museum executive director, join in the ribbon cutting for the Oklahoma National Guard Museum in Oklahoma City, June 11, 2026. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

JROTC Cadets Build Leadership Skills at Camp Gruber
June 9, 2026 — Eighty Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets from eight schools across Oklahoma gathered at Camp Gruber Training Center, May 26-30, 2026, to sharpen their leadership skills, build teamwork and challenge themselves through hands-on military training during the annual JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Nick Thomas, an Oklahoma Army National Guard recruiter and rappel master, speaks to a cadet during rappel training at the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadet Leadership Challenge at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Okla., May 27, 2026. The program is supported by the Oklahoma National Guard and combines leadership instruction, adventure training and team-building exercises designed to challenge cadets outside their comfort zones. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)Sgt. 1st Class Nick Thomas, an Oklahoma Army National Guard recruiter and rappel master, speaks to a cadet during rappel training at the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadet Leadership Challenge at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Okla., May 27, 2026. The program is supported by the Oklahoma National Guard and combines leadership instruction, adventure training and team-building exercises designed to challenge cadets outside their comfort zones. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)

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)

137th SOW prepares for upcoming fitness changes
May 4, 2026 — The 137th SOW is getting ahead of the curve in support of the Culture of Fitness initiative by implementing and encouraging increased physical training. Airmen are participating in unit exercises, such as the workout of the day and the Diamond Fitness Challenge to remain a force that is organized, trained and equipped for mission support... MORE

An Airman assigned to the 137th Special Operations Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard, performs situps for the U.S. Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment.

Oklahoma and Minnesota Airmen sharpen joint readiness during Exercise Thunderwolf
April 30, 2026 — More than 170 engineering installation Airmen from the Oklahoma and Minnesota Air National Guard converged for a high-intensity readiness event, Exercise Thunderwolf, Camp Gruber Training Center, April 26-30, 2026... MORE

Uniformed members greet each other as some walk off an aircraft on a flightline.

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

Video by Senior Airman Alex Kaelke

Download

Oklahoma National Guard completes Hurricane Ida relief mission - With OKNG Graphics

Oklahoma National Guard

Sept. 14, 2021 | 1:29

On September 1, 2021, approximately 500 Oklahoma National Guardsmen mobilized to distribute supplies, assist with levee reinforcement and provide overnight security to those affected by Hurricane Ida. While mobilized, the Oklahoma National Guard provided more than 77,000 families food, water, and tarps to cover their homes and businesses while in Louisiana.

Video by Senior Airman Alex Kaelke
Additional edits by Cpl. Reece Heck
Additional footage courtesy of KOCO News 5, Oklahoma City