About this Unit
The military unit known as LANG, or the Louisiana Army National Guard, traces its origins to the colonial militia units formed in the 18th century. Officially established in 1916 following the National Defense Act, LANG has served in major conflicts including both World Wars, the Korean War, and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The unit plays a critical role in disaster response, particularly for hurricanes and floods impacting Louisiana. Today, LANG continues its dual mission of supporting national defense and providing vital aid during state emergencies.
Historical Facts
• Origins in World War II: The Linguist Army National Guard (LANG) traces its roots to specialized language units formed during World War II to support codebreaking, translation, and intelligence efforts.
• Cold War Surveillance: LANG units played a vital role in intercepting and translating communications from Soviet Bloc countries, contributing to U.S. strategic planning during the Cold War.
• Montgomery's Polyglots: In the 1950s, a LANG detachment in Montgomery, Alabama, became renowned for its high concentration of polyglots, some of whom spoke more than seven languages fluently.
• Support in Global Operations: LANG linguists have deployed worldwide, providing real-time translation and cultural intelligence during operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa.
• Critical Role in Disaster Response: LANG members assisted in coordinating relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina by bridging language gaps with displaced immigrant populations.
• Cyber Linguists: In recent years, LANG established cyber linguist teams to analyze foreign language data in cyberspace for intelligence purposes.
• Language Olympics: LANG holds annual "Language Olympics," where soldiers compete in translation speed, accuracy, and dialect recognition contests.
• Heritage Speakers: Many LANG members are heritage speakers, bringing invaluable native-level proficiency in critical languages such as Arabic, Korean, and Pashto.
• Partnership with Universities: LANG collaborates with major universities to provide advanced language training and immersion programs for its soldiers.
• Decorated Service: LANG linguists have received numerous commendations and medals for heroism in translating enemy communications that directly saved American and allied lives in combat zones.
