16th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
Encyclopedia
The 16th Air Defence Regiment is the youngest regiment of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
. As the Australian Defence Force
's only Ground Based Air Defence unit the Regiment is responsible for protecting a wide range of military assets during wartime, ranging from Army units in the field to providing point defence to the Royal Australian Navy
's support ships and air defence to Royal Australian Air Force
air bases. Prior to being equipped with the currently used RBS-70 missiles, the Regiment was equipped with the Rapier systems
for 25 years. The Regiment is based at Woodside, South Australia
, but frequently deploys with other Australian and allied units on operations and defence exercises. It is part of 6th Brigade
.
. In May 2003 the Regiment again deployed a detachment in support of the Royal Australian Navy when a detachment was sent on board HMAS Kanimbla during the disarming of Iraq.
Recently the Regiment has deployed soldiers as infantry to Timor Leste.
On 1 March 2010, 16th Air Defence Regiment became part of the re-raised 6th Brigade
.
Each firing Battery is equipped with 15 fire systems and five target search radars.
The regiment also houses a training centre equipped with simulators. On 4 December 2009 The Hon. Greg Combet AM MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, announced that one simulator will receive an upgrade which will “...include a dome display system. This unique system consists of an array of commercial video projectors that project multiple images into one panoramic view.”, with work to be completed in February 2011.
Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, normally referred to as the Royal Australian Artillery , is a corps of the Australian Army descended from the original colonial artillery units prior to Australia's federation...
. As the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
's only Ground Based Air Defence unit the Regiment is responsible for protecting a wide range of military assets during wartime, ranging from Army units in the field to providing point defence to the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
's support ships and air defence to Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
air bases. Prior to being equipped with the currently used RBS-70 missiles, the Regiment was equipped with the Rapier systems
Rapier missile
Rapier is a British surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army and Royal Air Force. Entering service in 1971, it eventually replaced all other anti-aircraft weapons in Army service; guns for low-altitude targets, and the English Electric Thunderbird, used against longer-range and...
for 25 years. The Regiment is based at Woodside, South Australia
Woodside, South Australia
Woodside is a town in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. The town is between Balhannah and Lobethal, from the state capital, Adelaide. Amenities include a swimming pool, , second hand store, grocery store, tennis club, bowls club and playing fields. The Johnston family of Oakbank...
, but frequently deploys with other Australian and allied units on operations and defence exercises. It is part of 6th Brigade
6th Brigade (Australia)
The 6th Brigade is an Australian Army brigade. First formed during the First World War as an infantry unit of the Australian Imperial Force, the brigade served at Gallipoli and in France and Belgium on the Western Front...
.
History
The 16th Air Defence Regiment was raised on 2 July 1969 on the merging of 111 LAA Bty and 110 LAA Bty thus becoming 16 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and was initially equipped with the BOFORS 40 mm anti-aircraft gun. The 40mm Bofors No 12 was replaced with the Redeye Surface to Air Missile in 1973 and The Rapier SAGW was introduce in 1982 with 110 AD Bty, in 1987 the Redeye Surface to Air Missile was replaced with the RBS-70 and in 2005 110 AD Bty replaced Rapier SAGW with RBS-70. In 1991 the Regiment sent detachments aboard HMAS Success and Westralia as part of Australia's contribution to the Persian Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. In May 2003 the Regiment again deployed a detachment in support of the Royal Australian Navy when a detachment was sent on board HMAS Kanimbla during the disarming of Iraq.
Recently the Regiment has deployed soldiers as infantry to Timor Leste.
On 1 March 2010, 16th Air Defence Regiment became part of the re-raised 6th Brigade
6th Brigade (Australia)
The 6th Brigade is an Australian Army brigade. First formed during the First World War as an infantry unit of the Australian Imperial Force, the brigade served at Gallipoli and in France and Belgium on the Western Front...
.
Structure
- Headquarters Battery
- 110th Air Defence Battery
- 111th Air Defence Battery
- Technical Support Battery
Each firing Battery is equipped with 15 fire systems and five target search radars.
The regiment also houses a training centre equipped with simulators. On 4 December 2009 The Hon. Greg Combet AM MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, announced that one simulator will receive an upgrade which will “...include a dome display system. This unique system consists of an array of commercial video projectors that project multiple images into one panoramic view.”, with work to be completed in February 2011.