News from the Oklahoma National Guard

OK Guard deploys helicopter and crew to battle wildfires in Louisiana
August 25, 2023 — The Oklahoma National Guard deployed one CH-47 Chinook helicopter and five aircrew members to Louisiana today to battle wildfires there. ... MORE

An Oklahoma Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter crew fills a water bucket during wildfire fighting training in August 2015. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Bruce)

138th Fighter Wing medical Airmen MARCH to casualty care
August 25, 2023 — Loud booms can be heard all over the training field located in Perry, Florida. Personnel are scattered all over the facility, covered in fake blood, dirt, and simulated injuries. Smoke is drifting in the air, wavering as Airmen from the 138th Fighter Wing run onto the scene... MORE

Airmen from the 138th Medical Group participate in a simulated combat environment as part of their final test in completing Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Tier 2 in Perry, Fla., July 20, 2023. Smoke grenades and fake rounds were fired to simulate a deployed environment so Airmen could learn how to handle themselves and remain focused on the mission at hand – caring for personnel and casualties. (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Barnes)

63rd Civil Support Team trains alongside Yukon first responders
August 22, 2023 — Members of the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team train alongside the Yukon Police Department and Yukon Fire Department during an exercise held in Yukon, Oklahoma, Tuesday, August 8, 2023... MORE

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team train alongside the Yukon Police Department and Yukon Fire Department during an exercise held in Yukon, Oklahoma, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.

137 SOW ANG Airmen premier at Tradewinds 2023
August 3, 2023 — Nine Airmen from the 137th Special Operations Wing participated in TRADEWINDS 23 Exercise, a multi-domain U.S. Southern Command exercise, for the first time July 15-27, 2023, in Guyana... MORE

Individual Weapons Qual tips with the Small Arms Training Team
July 27, 2023 — Sgt. Reece Heck talks with the Oklahoma Army National Guard's Small Arms Teams member Sgt. Brian Stuart about the newly updated Individual Weapons Qualification, focusing primarily on the Table VI "Qualification" portion. Stuart walks Heck through each position and includes tips and tricks for Soldiers qualifying... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team fire their assigned weapons during a qualification event at Fort Indiantown Gap, March 9, 2023. Qualifying on assigned weapons annually helps Soldiers stay ready to defend themselves in combat. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell)

OK Airmen join in multinational airborne training
July 26, 2023 — Members of the Oklahoma National Guard's 137th Special Operations Wing joined fellow U.S. military members as well as other national forces including France, Guyana and Mexico, to participate in a static line jump during TRADEWINDS23 Exercise over Air Base London, Guyana, July 18, 2023... MORE

Photo: Tactical Air Control Party specialists with the 137th Special Operations Wing, Oklahoma National Guard, conduct a static line jump during TRADEWINDS23 Exercise over Air Base London, Guyana, July 18, 2023. The different training components of the exercise are focused on increasing regional cooperation throughout the Caribbean and Caribbean Basin. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Brigette Waltermire)

OK Air Guard members support arms training with SOUTHCOM multinational partners
July 26, 2023 — Members of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force and Oklahoma Air National Guard conducted marksmanship training and close quarters battle training with multinational partners as part of TRADEWINDS23 Exercise on July 16, 2023, at Camp Stephenson, Guyana. Mexican Special Operations Forces joined U.S. joint force instructors, where they took part in rifle and pistol marksmanship training. The Mexican forces received refresher training and also increased their pistol and rifle weapons systems skills with new techniques... MORE

Photo: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Scott Palelei, a tactical air control party specialist with the 137th Special Operations Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard, applies a tourniquet to a member of the Guyana Defense Force during tactical combat casualty training held at Camp Seweyo, Guyana, for TRADEWINDS23 Exercise July 16, 2023. TRADEWINDS is initiated and formulated as part of the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which allows participating nations to forge enduring relationships that will improve security capabilities through the exchange of knowledge and expertise. (U.S. Air National Guard photo courtesy of Senior Airman Richie Thammavongsa)

Oklahoma employers experience National Guard training
July 26, 2023 — Civilian employers of Soldiers of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade participated in an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) "boss lift" at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, June 25, 2023... MORE

Photo of: Civilian employers of Soldiers of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade firing a machine gun.

Oklahoma National Guard Soldier Harnesses Fighting Spirit
July 20, 2023 — An Oklahoma Army National Guard member, Spc. Justin Budd harnessed his fighting spirit in an unconventional way. Battling with anger issues throughout his youth, Budd found purpose in Mixed Martial Arts, enabling him to transform his life. ... MORE

Spc. Justin Budd, a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard from Tulsa, Oklahoma, harnessed his fighting spirit in an unconventional way.

137th Special Operations Wing supports Tinker Air Show
July 11, 2023 — Members of the 137th Special Operations Wing joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard Recruiting team to share the Wing's history and Oklahoma Air National Guard information with people attending the 2023 Tinker Air Show, July 1-2, 2023... MORE

The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, perform at the Tinker Air Show on July 1, 2023, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City. The Blue Angels joined members of the joint and total force at the Tinker Air Show to showcase the diverse aspects of aviation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Erika Chapa)

Video by Cpl. Reece Heck

45th Field Artillery Brigade holds change of command ceremony

Oklahoma National Guard

Jan. 8, 2022 | 1:05

MUSTANG, Okla.- Soldiers with the 45th Field Artillery Brigade gathered to welcome their new commander Col. Thomas J. Gibson, and honor outgoing commander Col. Jason A. Henry with a change of command ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma, on Jan. 8, 2022.