Oklahoma National Guard partnering with OHP to assist motorist in winter weather

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony Jones | Sgt. Joseph English, of Newalla, Oklahoma, ties a fluorescent ribbon to a wrecked car, marking it as searched and clear of passengers while he and other Soldiers patrolled a section of Interstate 35 north of Perry, Okla., Dec. 28. English, a military policeman with the 45th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and other Soldiers from the Brigade assisted the Oklahoma Highway Patrol with motorist assistance during a severe winter storm on Dec. 27 and 28. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)  

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, UNITED STATES

02.12.2021

Story by Sgt. Anthony Jones 

Oklahoma National Guard

OKLAHOMA CITY – At the request of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma National Guard is activating nearly 90 National Guard members and pre-positioning them at locations across Oklahoma in advance of a severe winter storm expected to impact the state early next week.

The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety requested the Oklahoma National Guard provide Stranded Motorist Assistance Recovery Teams (SMART) from Feb. 13-18 to assist the Highway Patrol in recovering motorists who may become stranded in the potential storm.

At the direction of the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management and with approval from Governor Kevin Stitt, the National Guard will be providing eight teams to assist the Highway Patrol. The National Guard teams will be working in the vicinity of Chickasha, Clinton, Perry, Woodward, Ardmore, Checotah, Stroud, and Vinita

These teams include personnel and equipment that can traverse hazardous road conditions, provide recovery of stranded motorists and transport those motorists to safety and shelter.

The teams’ priority is the recovery of people and movement to safety. They will not be recovering vehicles in most instances.

The Oklahoma National Guard continues to serve the State of Oklahoma in the fight against COVID-19, as well as stand prepared to assist in emergencies as needed.

• Date Taken: 02.12.2021
• Date Posted: 02.12.2021 19:55
• Story ID: 388970
• Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US