Guard News - The National Guard

Chickasaw Nation Governor Reflects on Oklahoma Guard Service
November 21, 2024 — OKLAHOMA CITY - Before serving nearly 40 years as the governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby served in his first leadership position as a member of the Oklahoma National Guard.Anoatubby... MORE

Before serving nearly 40 years as the governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby served in his first leadership position as a member of the Oklahoma National Guard.

Oklahoma Guard, Partners Brainstorm Drone Technologies
November 20, 2024 — OKLAHOMA CITY – In a collaborative effort to bolster defense against aerial threats, Oklahoma National Guard leaders gathered with state, education and industry partners to discuss counter uncrewed... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard Col. Shane Riley, director of the OKNG's Launched Effects Program, addresses a meeting at the Tulsa Tech campus in Jenks, Oklahoma, Nov. 7, 2024. The meeting was a collaborative effort to bolster defense against aerial threats, bringing together Oklahoma National Guard leaders and state, education and industry partners to discuss counter uncrewed aerial systems.

Indiana, Oklahoma Guard, Saudi Arabia Announce Partnership
November 18, 2024 — INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana National Guard, Oklahoma National Guard and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced a new partnership Nov. 15 under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State... MORE

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, center, and Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles, Indiana National Guard adjutant general, met with the Minister of Defense for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Khalid bin Salman, right, Nov. 18, 2024, to discuss shared interests and how the partnership will benefit the National Guard and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Oklahoma Guard Supports Hurricane Relief in South Carolina
October 9, 2024 — OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma National Guard is supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts in South Carolina at the direction of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and with approval from... MORE

An Oklahoma Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook is readied by Oklahoma National Guard members at the OKARNG Aviation Support Facility in Lexington, Oklahoma, Oct. 6, 2024, before deploying to South Carolina in support of Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

Oklahoma Guard Hosts Wildland Fire Drone Integration Exercise
October 2, 2024 — WEATHERFORD, Okla. - The Oklahoma National Guard partnered with Southwestern Oklahoma State University, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Weatherford Fire Department to host a multi-agency wildland... MORE

Sgt. Donald Underwood, an unmanned aerial systems operator with Delta Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, operates a UAS during a multi-agency wildland firefighting unmanned aerial systems integration exercise at Crowder Lake near Weatherford, Oklahoma, Sept. 25-26, 2024. The exercise brought the Oklahoma National Guard, state and local agencies and several private UAS companies together to develop a common operating picture.

Oklahoma Army Guard Artillerymen Tested at Northern Strike
August 16, 2024 — GRAYLING, Mich. – Artillerymen with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, tested their mettle at Northern Strike 2024 at... MORE

Members of Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, fire an M777 towed 155 mm howitzer during Exercise Northern Strike 2024 at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 11, 2024. NS 24-2 is a Reserve component training event focusing on joint readiness training to build interoperability and strengthen partnerships in an all-domain environment.

Medical Training Brings New Opportunities to Blackfeet Tribe
July 22, 2024 — BROWNING, Mont. – U.S. service members from more than 50 units across the country are in Montana for Blackfeet Tribal Health - Operation Walking Shield, an Innovative Readiness Training medical... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Brianna Bottorff, a combat medic assigned to the 215th Medical Company, Indiana Army National Guard, triages a patient at the Blackfeet tribal Health - Operation Walking Shield Innovative Readiness Training medical mission at Browning High School in Browning, Mont., July 17, 2024.

Oklahoma National Guard Helps with Sulphur Tornado Relief
May 13, 2024 — SULPHUR, Okla. - Members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard are helping Sulphur residents recover from a devastating tornado that tore through the town on April 27.“I’m helping the people in... MORE

Sgt. Andrew Serna, a Dallas, Texas, resident serving with Delta Company, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, operates a forklift during tornado recovery efforts at the Murray County Expo Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma, May 9, 2024.

Oklahoma Guardsmen Face New Adversary in Best Warrior Competition
May 9, 2024 — OKLAHOMA CITY - Guardsmen faced an emerging and rapidly growing threat in Oklahoma’s 2024 Best Warrior Competition.Participants were given 20 minutes to enter a heavily wooded area and camouflage... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. John Hernandez, right, command sergeant major for Oklahoma, watches as an uncrewed aircraft systems operator pilots a UAS over the 2024 Oklahoma National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Gruber Training Center April 26. This was the first time the OKARNG counter-UAS school integrated into the competition.

Oklahoma Guard Explores Future of Drone Defense at Symposium
March 15, 2024 — OKLAHOMA CITY - A quote from the “Oppenheimer” movie, “This isn’t a new weapon, it’s a new world,” set the tone for the inaugural Oklahoma National Guard Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Symposium at... MORE

Lt. Col. Brent Hill, deputy director of military support for the Oklahoma National Guard, introduces Jamey Jacob, Ph.d., P.E., during the inaugural Oklahoma National Guard Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Symposium in Oklahoma City, March 12, 2024. Jacob is the executive director of Oklahoma State University's Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education.

Oklahoma National Guard Tests Drone Technologies
March 12, 2024 — OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma National Guard collaborated with industry partners across the state to test the cutting-edge capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems at Camp Gruber Training Center Feb... MORE

The Oklahoma National Guard worked with industry partners from across the state Feb. 22 to test the capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems at Camp Gruber Training Center in Oklahoma City. This initiative aims to equip and train the OKNG alongside civilian aerospace industry experts and local partners to enhance mission readiness in aviation and aerospace technologies.

Oklahoma Guardsman Receives Star of Valor for Heroic Actions
March 8, 2024 — MUSKOGEE, Okla. – Oklahoma Army National Guard Spc. Alexander Weimer was awarded the Oklahoma Star of Valor in a ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center March 3. Weimer earned the award... MORE

Spc. Alexander Weimer, assigned to Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, speaks with Col. Andrew Ballenger, commander of the 45th IBCT, at his Oklahoma Star of Valor ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, March 3, 2024. Weimer was recognized for his bravery and compassion while assisting civilians involved in a vehicular collision while on his way to drill.

Pennsylvania Guard Takes Over Horn of Africa Security Mission
February 21, 2024 — CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Paxton assumed control over the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Tomahawk during a Feb. 10 transfer of authority... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Erik Ponzek, left, commander of 2-112th Infantry, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Barclay, 2-112th Infantry senior enlisted leader, unfurl their unit's colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 10, 2024. This act represented Pennsylvania National Guard's Task Force Paxton assuming control over the SECFOR unit in CJTF-HOA.

Oklahoma National Guard Aviation Unit Deploying to Kosovo
January 2, 2024 — TULSA, Okla. – Loved ones gathered alongside nearly 50 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen during a deployment ceremony Dec. 30 at the Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Tulsa.Members of Charlie... MORE

Loved ones gathered alongside nearly 50 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen during a deployment ceremony Dec. 30, 2023, at the Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Members of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion (Assault Helicopter Battalion), 244th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, will deploy to Kosovo to support oOperation Joint Guardian (KFOR).

Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier trains for the Olympics
October 27, 2023 — FORT CARSON, Colo. – There are more than 8,000 Citizen-Soldiers in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, but only one holds the title of Soldier-athlete: Spc. Dalton Duffield.Duffield, a horizontal... MORE

Spc. Dalton Duffield, an Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier, throws his competitor during a practice wrestling match at Fort Carson, Colorado, Aug. 8, 2023. Duffield is a member of the Oklahoma National Guard and a Greco-Roman wrestler pursuing his Olympic goals through the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program.

35th Infantry Division Hosts 2023 Readiness Symposium
September 19, 2023 — LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The 35th Infantry Division hosted the first Division Readiness Symposium, welcoming a diverse array of Army National Guard units from several states to division headquarters Sept... MORE

The 35th Infantry Division hosted the First Annual Division Readiness Symposium Sept. 9-10, 2023, welcoming a diverse array of units from the Army National Guard in several states to Division Headquarters in Leavenworth, Kansas. The event aimed to enhance communication and understanding, ensuring operational, exercise and deployment readiness.

National Guard Fights Louisiana Wildfires From the Air
September 1, 2023 — NEW ORLEANS – National Guard helicopter crews from Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama have dropped more than 1.1 million gallons of water on wildfires in western Louisiana since Aug... MORE

Louisiana National Guard aviation assets began water-drop missions Aug. 23, 2023, to combat wildfires in western Louisiana. They have been assisted by the Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee National Guard.

Tradewinds 23 Exercise Highlights Multinational Partnerships
July 31, 2023 — GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Tradewinds 23, a two-week multinational exercise supporting the security of the Caribbean and Central America, wrapped up with a closing ceremony July 27. Tradewinds 23 involved... MORE

The Tradewinds 23 closing ceremony was held in Georgetown, Guyana, July 27, 2023. The multinational, two-week exercise included representatives from 21 nations and Army and Air National Guard units from Alabama, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma and the Virgin Islands.

Oklahoma Guardsmen Finish First at Cyber Shield 2023
July 26, 2023 — LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - For the second year in a row, Oklahoma National Guard members won first place in a two-week cyber defense exercise, outperforming teams from more than 20 states and territories and... MORE

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard cybersecurity team work together to defend networks during Cyber Shield 2023 at the Professional Education Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, June 10, 2023. Oklahoma Guardsmen joined approximately 800 military and civilian cyber professionals from 35 states, including international partners, for this year’s Cyber Shield June 2-16.

Oklahoma National Guard Soldier Harnesses Fighting Spirit
July 20, 2023 — TULSA, Okla. – 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... MORE

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

Guard Members Bring Unique Capabilities to Cybersecurity

NORAD and USNORTHCOM Leaders Visit Western Air Defense Sector

California Army Guard Delivers Supplies to Wilderness Site

NGB Leaders Visit ’Top-notch’ Guardsmen in New Hampshire

Massachusetts Guard Civil Support Team Put to the Test