Oklahoma National Guard not expected to participate in Trump’s military parade

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma National Guard is not planning on participating in the nation’s largest military parade. 

The June 14 parade will feature tanks rolling through the U.S. capital’s streets, thousands of soldiers marching and military fly overs to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday. Additionally, it will also be President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. 

Lt. Col. Kristin Tschetter, chief of public affairs, said Friday the Oklahoma National Guard has not been tasked to participate  in the parade, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people. 

The parade will feature a plethora of militarized equipment, such as helicopters used in the Vietnam War, tanks and other vehicles. In celebration of the evolution of the Army, various uniforms from throughout the years will be worn by soldiers. 

The parade is expected to take place on Constitution Avenue and will continue to Independence Avenue.

The specific cost of the event was not immediately known.

Ronald Reagan National Airport was expected to halt flights during the parade.

Editor’s note: This story was corrected on June 10 to reflect that Kristin Tschetter is a lieutenant colonel in the Oklahoma National Guard. It was also updated to add context that the Guard had not been tasked to participate in the parade.