Once an Okie, Always an Okie

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National Guard supports 59th Presidential Inauguration

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National Guard security mission at U.S. Capitol concludes
May 23, 2021 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Guard’s U.S. Capitol security mission to support the U.S. Capitol... MORE

National Guard Soldiers provide security outside the U.S. Capitol during the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, as part of the National Guard’s Capitol Response security mission.

Nevada National Guard trio honored for aiding crash victim
May 17, 2021 — LAS VEGAS – Three Nevada Guard Soldiers from 1st Squadron 221 Cavalry were recognized for helping a... MORE

Capt. Tyler Wistisen, left, 1st Lt. Michael Flury and Capt. Tana Gurule were honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with the Life Saving Award at the Clark County Armory in Las Vegas May 14, 2021. While in the nation's capital in January supporting the presidential inauguration, the Soldiers assisted a Virginia woman injured in a car crash.

Synchronization a must in continued Guard support to Capitol
April 7, 2021 — ARLINGTON, Va. – When discussing the most recent rotation of National Guard members supporting U.S... MORE

Soldiers with the New Jersey Army National Guard’s A Troop and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 102nd Cavalry Division, and U.S. Capitol Police officers confer with each other hours after a vehicle rammed a barricade killing one Capitol Police officer and injuring another one at the U.S. Capitol April 2, 2021. The New Jersey Army Guard unit is one of several that continue to support the security mission at the Capitol — made possible by the synchronization efforts involving the National Guard Bureau, the District of Columbia National Guard and Guard units from 11 states.

National Guard units supporting Capitol mission return home
March 17, 2021 — WASHINGTON – More than half the 5,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who have been supporting... MORE

A Soldier supporting the Capitol Response mission in Washington, D.C., out-processes at the District of Columbia Armory March 12, 2021. Soldiers in the nation's capital are redeploying to their home states, with about 2,000 Guard members asked to continue to assist federal law enforcement with security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics, and safety through mid-May.

DCNG inauguration support ribbon recognizes service
March 15, 2021 — WASHINGTON – National Guard members from any state, territory or the District of Columbia who... MORE

Military awards worn by a District of Columbia Army National Guard Soldier in Washington, D.C., March 10, 2021, include the D.C. National Guard Presidential Inauguration Support Ribbon on the bottom right. The ribbon is authorized for award to National Guard members from any state, territory or the District of Columbia who supported the 59th presidential inauguration on Title 32 orders.

In historic year, Washington National Guard answers the call
March 11, 2021 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – To describe 2020 as unprecedented would be an understatement. "This past year... MORE

Staff Sgt. Melinda Grounds, a medic with the 141st Medical Group and a registered nurse in Idaho, goes through a questionnaire with a visitor to the mass vaccination site at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Ridgefield, Wash., Jan. 28, 2021. The Washington National Guard is helping at four vaccination sites.

Father, daughter serve together in nation's capital
March 1, 2021 — WASHINGTON – "Keeping families involved is important to the success of all our Soldiers," said 1st... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Carl Mattonen stands with his daughter, Spc. Carlie Mattonen, both with Forward Support Company, 107th Engineer Battalion, Michigan National Guard, near the U.S. Capitol in Washington Feb. 26, 2021.

Michigan National Guard helps sustain the force in DC
February 12, 2021 — WASHINGTON – Soldiers with Forward Support Company, 107th Engineer Battalion, Michigan Army National... MORE

Soldiers from the Michigan National Guard’s Forward Support Company, 107th Engineer Battalion, based in Marquette, and the 177th Military Police Brigade, based in Taylor, join other Soldiers in food distribution at the U.S. Capitol Feb. 7, 2021. The National Guard is supporting law enforcement in the nation's capital through mid-March.

Michigan Soldier maintains connection with home, work
February 9, 2021 — WASHINGTON – Soldiers with the 1433rd Engineer Company, Michigan National Guard, served in the... MORE

1st Lt. Darren Tanis, executive officer of the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1433rd Engineer Company, based in Fort Custer, Michigan, stands near the U.S. Capitol in Washington Feb. 3, 2021. The National Guard is supporting federal law enforcement in the nation's capital through mid-March.

Australian Army captain continues to serve with DC National Guard
February 8, 2021 — WASHINGTON - January's inauguration support by the National Guard was unique in many ways, with more... MORE

Australian Army Capt. Dustin Gold, a reserve officer from the Royal Australian Artillery 9th Regiment, participates in a Reserve Forces Foreign Exchange Program with D.C. National Guard in Washington D.C., Jan. 23, 2021.

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Video by Maj. Jon Quinlan

Once an Okie, Always an Okie

507th Air Refueling Wing

Oct. 22, 2018 | 2:01

'Once an Okie, always an Okie.' It's a mantra spoken by a group of several hundred former members of the 507th Air Refueling Wing. This group of Okies meets at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, every two years, and they met here Sept. 28-29.

Realistically, there were over 1,000 years of experience in the hangar during social hour. Many generations of Okies were present at the gathering, but the bulk of men and women there served in the 507th Tactical Fighter Group directly after the Vietnam war.

Many of these retired Citizen Airmen spoke time and time again about the camaraderie of the unit. They may have been flying the F-105 Thunderchiefs or F-4 Phantoms, but just like any day, it was all about people and the relationships.

"We've enjoyed it. You will find a lot of proud people who worked here and they come back here because they made things happen. They were true professionals," said Retired Maj. Gen. Lou Ferraro, former 507th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander from 1974-1982.

The Okie Reunion group meets at Tinker Air Force Base every two years to reflect on their service, catch up with old friends, and meet new ones serving right here in the 507th Air Refueling Wing.

Current Okie, Lt. Col. Kenneth Humphrey, 507th Operations Group Commander, said it was fun and very humbling to spend time with the retired Okies.

"You're thinking you're one of the old guys, and you've got the experience; then you realize you've got folks that have got twice, three times as much experience than you'll ever have in multiple different weapons systems," Humphrey said. "The stories that they've got just tell--you know, funny, challenging-- so it's fun to hear how things were."

One of these special Okie vets and group organizer of the Okie reunions had this to say about the event.

"We have a long history," said Retired Col. John Russell, former pilot with the 507th Tactical Fighter Group from 1977-1994. "The fighter guys I think maybe more so than what's going on with a lot of units at the moment. It's just a different breed of cat running around. We stayed together a lot, we deployed together a lot. And we enjoy doing things. And at the unit like the 507th here, we lived in the same area for the most part, and just had a great time."
The Okies encourage all active participating reservists to join them in all future events.