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Two Oklahoma National Guardsmen replace a drone’s battery during Exercise Lightning Strike at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, April 15, 2026.
260415-A-QT852-3440.JPG Photo By: Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah

CAMP GRUBER TRAINING CENTER, Okla. - Two Oklahoma National Guardsmen replace a drone’s battery during Exercise Lightning Strike at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, April 15, 2026. The Oklahoma National Guard, in partnership with Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, hosted Exercise Lightning Strike, a domestic training exercise using drones to respond to a simulated EF5 tornado. At the center of the exercise was the integration of uncrewed aircraft systems, or UAS, across various scenarios. That integration enabled real-time data sharing, improved situational awareness and more effective coordination among participating agencies. Exercise Lightning Strike brought together a range of agencies to operate within a shared framework, reinforcing the Guard’s role in supporting civil authorities during domestic incidents and natural disasters. Photo by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah.


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