MUSTANG, Okla. (AP) — The Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Field Artillery Brigade has a new commander.
Colonel Gregory Lankford was installed as commander during a ceremony Saturday at the Mustang Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang. He replaces Col. Mike Chase, who had been the brigade commander since July 2012.
Lankford has more than 30 years of experience in the Guard. He's a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and oversaw the training and deployment of the 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Chase is a 35 year veteran of the Guard and a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his time commanding the 45th, he oversaw the brigade's two deployments to Afghanistan.