In January 1960 the 125th became the 125th Air Transport Squadron. The 185th became an Air Transport Squadron in April 1961. Both were assigned to the Military Air Transport Command and issued C-97 cargo planes. The 125th was activated during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. In addition, the 185th flew resupply missions to Europe. The 185th also deployed aircraft and crews to the Dominican Republic in 1965. With the increasing American involvement in Vietnam both the 125th and 185th started flying missions to Southeast Asia. In April 1968 the 137th and 138th Aerial Port Flights began. That same year the 125th and 185th were re-equipped with C-124Cs.

During the 1960s and 1970s the OKANG was involved in disaster relief missions and the riot at the state penitentiary at McAlester in 1973. The 125th was designated the 138th Tactical Fighter Group and received federal recognition in January 1973. The 138th was equipped with F-100Cs and A-7Ds. In 1975 the 137th Flying Group became the 185th Tactical Airlift Squadron of the 137th Tactical Airlift Wing and was issued C-130As. In June 1979 the 137th was the first Air National Guard unit to receive C-130H aircraft.

In subsequent years the OKANG served in humanitarian missions worldwide. During the 1990s the 137th Airlift Wing participated in operations against foreign illegal drug dealers. Following the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995 Air Guardsmen provided site security and medical, rescue, and recovery personnel. In spring 1993 the 138th Tactical Fighter Group began flying F-16 aircraft, the Air Force's most advanced fighter. The 137th Airlift Wing provided operational support during the 1991 Gulf War and contributed logistical assistance in Bosnia in the late 1990s. Between 1996 and 2000 the 138th Fighter Wing deployed F-16C aircraft and crew to enforce Iraq's Northern No Fly Zone. Other personnel were dispatched to the Middle East to repair equipment used in Operation Desert Storm.