News from the Oklahoma National Guard

OKGuard Leader Retires after over 30 years of service
February 7, 2025 — Friends, family and fellow Guardsmen gathered at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center to celebrate a retirement ceremony for Col. Shane Riley, former director of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program for the Oklahoma Army National Guard, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025... MORE

Col. Shane Riley speaks during his retirement ceremony, held at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center, in Norman Oklahoma, Feb. 1, 2025. Riley’s last assignment was director of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program for the Oklahoma Army National Guard, and his career spanned 36 years and included four deployments. (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by Spc. Brooklyn Clark)

OKGuard, Air Force conduct joint MEDEVAC training at Tinker AFB
February 5, 2025 — Airmen from the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, teamed up with Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, 90thTroop Command for a joint medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) training exercise at the Glenwood Training Area, Jan. 28, 2025.During the exercise, combat medics practiced patient... MORE

Crew chiefs assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard, and Airmen assigned to the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, secure medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) dummies into a UH-60 Black Hawk during a joint training exercise at the Glenwood Training Area in Oklahoma City, Jan. 28, 2025. During the exercise, combat medics from the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, practiced patient stabilization, MEDEVAC calls, and loading procedures while coordinating closely with the OKARNG pilots conducting helicopter insertions in austere environments. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Heavy maintenance operations keep OKGuard Black Hawks mission-ready
February 4, 2025 — The Black Hawk mechanic’s function is essential to maintaining the performance and safety standards of the aircraft, and includes performing inspections and replacing faulty parts. Their job is an integral part of successfully carrying out missions such as disaster relief and counter-drug operations... MORE

MOS Highlights
15T UH60 Helicopter Repairer

Oklahoma Military Department announces launch of Sooner Job ChalleNGe
February 4, 2025 — The Oklahoma Military Department’s Sooner Job ChalleNGe program is officially underway as students begin classes. The Sooner Job ChalleNGe Program is an optional next step for graduates of the Thunderbird Challenge Program where graduates will have the opportunity to further their success through career readiness and vocational training at Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City... MORE

Students, or “associates” enrolled in the Oklahoma Military Department’s Sooner Job ChalleNGe in-process at the program’s campus in Oklahoma City, Jan. 28, 2025. The Sooner Job ChalleNGe Program is an optional next step for graduates of the Thunderbird Challenge Program where they will have the opportunity to further their success through career readiness and vocational training at Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

OKGuard looks back on 2025 Presidential Inauguration
February 4, 2025 — Approximately 100 Oklahoma Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers joined 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states and territories to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Hatter, assigned to 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma National Guard, poses for a portrait during the presidential motorcade for the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2025. Approximately 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states and territories comprise JTF-DC to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration, continuing a legacy that began in 1789 when their predecessors escorted George Washington to the first inauguration. At the request of civil authorities, these National Guard service members provide critical support such as crowd management, traffic control points, CBRN response, civil disturbance response and sustainment operations. Their expertise and seamless collaboration with interagency partners help ensure a safe and peaceful transition of power during this historic event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Tyler Brahic)

Newberry awarded Star of Valor for life-saving actions
February 4, 2025 — Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presented 2nd Lt. Gary Newberry, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor, at the 1-180th CAV's headquarters in Ardmore, Oklahoma, February 2, 2025, for Newberry's actions rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle on July 6, 2024.Award Citation:For 2LT... MORE

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presents 2nd Lt. Gary Newberry, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor at the 1-180th CAV's headquarters in Ardmore, Oklahoma, February 2, 2025, for Newberry's actions rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle on July 6, 2024. (courtesy photo provided by 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment)

OKGuard hosts 2nd annual unmanned aerial systems symposium
January 23, 2025 — The Oklahoma National Guard hosted the second annual OKNG Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Symposium at the Oklahoma State University Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City, Jan. 21-22... MORE

Col. Shane Riley, director, Oklahoma National Guard Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program, welcomes attendees to the second annual OKNG UAS/LE Symposium at the Oklahoma State University Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City, Jan. 21, 2025. Topics at the symposium included emerging UAS threats, Department of Defense and National Guard integration in advanced air mobility, maneuver training, integrating UAS in interagency operations, and counter-UAS initiative development. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Anthony Jones)

Oklahoma National Guardsmen depart to support 60th Presidential Inauguration
January 16, 2025 — The Oklahoma National Guard is sending approximately 100 Guardsmen to our nation’s capital to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration. The Oklahoma Guardsmen join nearly 8,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from approximately 40 states and territories to augment the District of Columbia National Guard... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers board a C-130 at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, Jan 16, 2025. The Oklahoma Guardsmen join nearly 8,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from approximately 40 states and territories to augment the District of Columbia National Guard. With a long-standing tradition of supporting presidential inaugurations, the National Guard plays a crucial role in balancing safety, security, and other duties during the peaceful transition of power (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by 1st Sgt. Mireille Merilice-Roberts).

1120th Engineer Utilities Detachment departs for Africa
January 15, 2025 — Family and friends gathered at the Muskogee Readiness Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on Jan. 13, 2025, to bid farewell to Oklahoma Army National Guard engineers preparing to deploy on a humanitarian mission to the Horn of Africa... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the 1120th Engineer Utilities Detachment, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard, stand in formation during their farewell ceremony at the Muskogee Readiness Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Jan. 13, 2025. Approximately 50 Soldiers will deploy overseas to support U.S. Africa Command in engineering and utilities projects across the Horn of Africa.

138th Fighter Wing Participates in Readiness Exercise
January 14, 2025 — The 138th Fighter Wing participated in a basewide readiness exercise at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base on Jan. 12, 2025... MORE

Lt. Col. Zachary Williams, 125th Fighter Squadron, prepares to depart from the flight line during a base wide exercise at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla., Jan. 12, 2025. During the exercise, the Airmen were evaluated on their ability to maintain mission operations while operating in a simulated deployed environment, performed duties such as post-attack reconnaissance (PAR) team routes, simulated attacks, and tactical combat casualty care procedures. (Oklahoma Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Addison Barnes)

Video by Spc. Danielle Rayon

Oklahoma's Task Force Tomahawk prepares for Africa deployment

Oklahoma National Guard

April 11, 2023 | 1:44

Members of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team wrap up their pre-mobilization training in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Africa. Each Soldier focused on training ranging from individual warrior tasks and squad-level to platoon-level tasks, and is evaluated to ensure each Soldier and their respective platoons and companies are adequately prepared for the mission overseas.

More than 1,000 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen, including a company each from Nebraska and Indiana, will deploy overseas as Task Force Tomahawk in support of operations within U.S. Africa Command’s area of responsibility. While there, they will provide security support at five installations across three East African countries. In addition to conventional security operations, the Task Force will man the East African Response Force. (Oklahoma National Guard video by Spc. Caleb Stone)

CG Information:

Command Sgt. Maj. John Workman (00:10-00:15)
CSM, Task Force Tomahawk

Spc. Brett Cornman (00:29-00:31)
Mortarman, H. Co. 700 BSB

Capt. Katelyn Hartshorn (01:03-01:11)
Commander, H. Co. 700 BSB