The Norrland Dragoon Regiment, also K 4 or K 8, was a Swedish Armycavalryregiment located in the province of Lappland that traces its origins back to the 17th century. It is still in active service as the Norrland Dragoons detachment of Norrbotten Regiment, still located in Arvidsjaur. The current name of the fighting unit is the Army Ranger Battalion. Units from AJB have been involved in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Pakistan, Ukraine and Chad.
History
The regiment has its origin in the Ångermanland, Medelpad and Jämtland Regiment raised in 1646. From 1689 on, this regiment was named Jämtland Dragoon Regiment, but had only one company of cavalry troops. This company was semi-separate, with the name Jämtland Cavalry Company and had been split off from Bohus-Jämtland Cavalry Squadron in 1670. The company was renamed Jämtlands hästjägarskvadron in 1802 and after receiving another squadron it was organized into a battalion and renamed Jämtlands hästjägarkår in 1834. The corps gained full status as a separate unit in 1853 and was given the designation K 8. It was renamed Norrland Dragoon Regiment in 1892 and when merged with parts of the Crown Prince's Hussar Regiment in 1927 it was redesignated K 4 but kept its name before being reorganized to a battalion and renamed Norrland's Dragoons in 1958. Finally the regiment was renamed back to its old name in 1980. See also the history for Jämtland Ranger Regiment.
Campaigns
None
See also the campaigns for Jämtland Ranger Regiment.
Organization
1833
Livskvadronen
Alsens skvadron
See also the organization for Jämtland Ranger Regiment.
Heraldry and traditions
Colours, standards and guidons
The unit presents one guidon. Its first was presented on 30 September 1902 by major general Casten Warberg. A new one was presented to the regiment by the Chief of the Army, lieutenant general, count Carl August Ehrenswärd at the regimental barracks in Umeå on 20 September 1955. The guidon is drawn by Brita Grep and embroidered by hand in insertion technique by the company Libraria. Blazon: "On swallow-tailed blue cloth the provincial badge of Jämtland; a white elk passant, attacked on its back by a rising falcon and in the front by a rampant dog, both yellow. On a white border at the upper side of the guidon, battle honours in blue. Blue fringe." From 1957, the regimental letters as replaced from "NDR" to "ND", when the regiment was to be reduced to a battalion in 1958.
Coat of arms
The coat of the arms of the Norrland Dragoon Regiment 1977–2004. Blazon: "Azure, the provincial badge of Jämtland, an elk passant argent, attacked on the back by a rising falcon and in the front by a rampant dog both or; all animals armed and langued gules. The shield surmounted two rapiers in saltire or".
Medals
In 2004, the Norrlands dragonregementes minnesmedalj in silver was established. The medal ribbon was of blue moiré with an orange stripe on the middle.
Other
The regimental anniversary is 20 September, as a memory to the Battle of Nowy Dwór on 20 September 1655. The battle honour is shared with Jämtland Ranger Regiment.
