A unit in the Tennessee Army National Guard, the 194th Engineer Brigade (Theater Army) has its home base at Jackson and when not in active Federal service falls under the command and control of the Military Department of Tennessee. It was originally constituted in the Tennessee Army National Guard as HQ and HQ Company, 194th Engineer Brigade on 1 November 1973 and was subsequently organized and Federally recognized on 10 November 1973 at Nashville.
The Brigade has been called into Federal service at least twice since it was first constituted. In 2004 it was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, with its service between 29 December 2004 and 25 October 2005 being recognized with a Meritorious Unit Commendation issued in 2009. It earned its second Meritorious Unit Commendation four years later, when it was honored for its exemplary performance between 8 August 2009 and 27 March 2010.
The 194th Engineer Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, was originally approved for wear on 30 January 1974. Crafted in the national colors of red (scarlet), white, and blue, the insignia’s scarlet and white are also taken from the Corps of Engineers, and a castle turret with embattlements recalls the Corps’ branch insignia. A trio of stars is a reference to the crest of the Tennessee Army National Guard, while the white saltire (“X”) is a sign of support that reflects part of the Brigade’s overall mission.
Related Items
194th Engineer Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)
194th Engineer Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)