National Guard breaks ground on new Shawnee facility

  • A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on the west side of the Shawnee Airport. This is the location of the new Oklahoma Military Department's Shawnee Rediness Center. Pictured from left are Lt. Col Montana Dugger, Shawnee City Commissioner Chris Odneal, Michael Hagan, Sen. Shane Jett, Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino, Rep. Dell Kerbs, Matt Simpson, Shawnee City Manager Mark Simpson, and State Sgt. Maj. John Hernandez. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun
    A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on the west side of the Shawnee Airport. This is the location of the new Oklahoma Military Department's Shawnee Rediness Center. Pictured from left are Lt. Col Montana Dugger, Shawnee City Commissioner Chris Odneal, Michael Hagan, Sen. Shane Jett, Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino, Rep. Dell Kerbs, Matt Simpson, Shawnee City Manager Mark Simpson, and State Sgt. Maj. John Hernandez. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun
  • Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino, Adjutant General of Oklahoma addressed the crowd about the opportunities for young men and women to get into the National Guard. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun
    Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino, Adjutant General of Oklahoma addressed the crowd about the opportunities for young men and women to get into the National Guard. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

    A project more than 15 years in the making took another step toward reality with the groundbreaking of a new Oklahoma National Guard facility on the west side of the Shawnee Airport on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

    Oklahoma National Guard leaders joined state and local officials for the groundbreaking ceremony, marking the beginning of construction on a facility Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino, Adjutant General…