2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment (Airborne)

The 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 134th Infantry Regiment is an airborne infantry battalion in the Nebraska Army National Guard. By extension, it is a member of the United States Army National Guard, and as a currently federally-recognized unit, also a member of the National Guard of the United States.

2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment
Active2019–present
Country United States
AllegianceNebraska Nebraska
United States United States
BranchNebraska Army National Guard
United States Army National Guard (National Guard of the United States)
TypeAirborne Infantry
HHCLincoln, Nebraska
Motto(s)"Mahpiya Etanhan" (From the Sky)[1]
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
Beret flash of 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 134th Infantry Regiment
45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Shoulder Sleeve Insignia with Airborne Tab, authorized only for wear by 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 134th Infantry Regiment[2]

History

edit

The 2nd Battalion of the 134th Infantry Regiment was established by the Nebraska Army National Guard on 2 November 2019 as part of a restructuring that brought infantry back to its force structure for the first time in a generation. The battalion drew on personnel from the 195th Forward Support Company (Special Operations) (Airborne), formerly at Omaha, the 313th Medical Company at Lincoln, and Company E (Long Range Surveillance), 134th Infantry Regiment, at Yutan, which were all inactivated under the same reorganization.[3]

It is currently a component of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Oklahoma Army National Guard. The present 134th Infantry Regiment shares its name and numerical designation with a former designation of the 134th Cavalry Regiment of the Nebraska National Guard, but it does not perpetuate the lineage of that unit under United States Army Center of Military History regulations.[4]

Structure

edit

The creation of the 2d Battalion (Airborne), 134th Infantry Regiment was done through the reorganization and conversion of some existing Army National Guard units as well as the standup of two new companies:[4][5]

2d Battalion (Airborne), 134th Infantry Regiment

  • Headquarters and Headquarters Company (Lincoln, NE)
  • Company A (Yutan, NE) — created from Company E (Long Range Surveillance), 134th Infantry Regiment
  • Company B (Yutan, NE)
  • Company C (Seymour, IN) — created from Company D (Long Range Surveillance), 151st Infantry Regiment
  • Company D (Kearney, NE) — created from Company A, 734th Support Battalion
  • Company I (Forward Support), 700th Brigade Support Battalion (Omaha, NE) – created from 195th Forward Support Company (Special Operations)(Airborne)

A silver or gold metal and epoxied shield-shaped device 1+18 inches (2.9 cm) in height blazoned as follows. Argent, on a pile engrailed Azure, an open parachute of the first attached to an arrowhead, point to base, Gules, all between two fortress symbols of the last voided of the first. Attached to sides of the shield, a silver or gold scroll inscribed MAHPIYA ETANHAN in Blue.[5]

Symbolism

edit

Blue and white are the colors traditionally associated with the Infantry. The arrowhead signifies the location of the regiment, and alludes to the Lakota Sioux, a Native American tribe from Nebraska. The regiment's motto is in the Lakota Sioux language and translates to "From the Sky," and is visualized here by the parachute dropping between the clouds. The parachute canopy denotes the designation of the unit as Airborne. Two red fortress symbols denote the vital role of the Nebraska Territorial Militia in the settlement of the West.[5]

Background

edit

The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 4 June 2020.[5]

Blazon

edit

Shield

edit

Argent, on a pile engrailed Azure and between two lightning bolts issuant from chief Or an open parachute of the first attached to an arrowhead, point to base, Gules fimbriated Argent.[5]

Crest

edit

For the regiments and separate battalions of the Nebraska Army National Guard. From a wreath Argent and Azure, an ear of corn in full ear partially husked Proper.[5]

Motto

edit

MAHPIYA ETANHAN, translates to "From the Sky."[5]

Symbolism

edit

Blue and white are the colors traditionally associated with the Infantry. The lightning bolts are symbols of speed and technology. The parachute canopy denotes the designation of the unit as Airborne. The arrowhead signifies the location of the regiment and alludes to the Lakota Sioux, a Native American tribe from Nebraska. The regiment's motto is in the Lakota Sioux language and translates to "From the Sky," and is visualized here by the parachute dropping between the clouds.[5]

Background

edit

The coat of arms was approved on 13 March 2020.[5]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "134 Infantry Regiment". U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  2. ^ Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for the 2d Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Department of the Army, The Institute of Heraldry, dated 8 December 2021, last accessed 8 January 2022
  3. ^ Liewer, Steve (4 November 2019). "Nebraska National Guard launches first infantry unit in two decades". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b Crawford, Lisa (8 November 2019). "Nebraska stands up, hooks up airborne infantry battalion". U.S. Army. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Authorized Insignia for the 134th Infantry Regiment, The U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, dated 4 June 2020, 22 June 2020