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2nd Combat Engineer Regiment (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment (2CER) is an Australian Army
modular engineer regiment
trained for sapper/combat engineer operations. 2 CER's lineage is traced back to 7th Field Company (7 Fd Coy). During World War I
, this unit was renowned for action during the Battle of the Somme, Menin Road and the Hindenburg Line
. During World War II
, it fought the Japanese at Kokoda
and on Bougainville. The Regiment is located at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, Queensland and is part of 7th Brigade
, attached to HQ Forces Command. During the last twelve months, the unit has served in Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Afghanistan
.
(AIF) and served with distinction in Egypt
and France
during World War I, where it saw action in the Battle of the Somme
, Menin Road and the Hindenburg Line
before returning to Australia and disbandment on 23 May 1919.
In 1921 the Australian government decided to restructure the part time Citizens Forces
units to replicate the numerical designations and perpetuate the honours of the AIF. As a result, on the 1 May 1921, the unit was re-raised as the 7 Fd Coy of the 1st Division
, based in Ipswich
.
, the Australian government decided to raise an all volunteer force for overseas service, known as the Second Australian Imperial Force
(2nd AIF). During this time the units of the Militia undertook brief periods of continuous service to undertake training and other defensive tasks in Australia in an effort to improve the nation's defences in case of war in the Pacific. With Japan's entry into the war following the attacks on Pearl Harbor
and Malaya
, the strategic situation worsened and units of the Militia were mobilised for war service. 7 Fld Coy was called out for full time service in May 1942 and was eventually gazetted as an Australian Imperial Force unit. The unit served in Papua New Guinea
and fought against the Japanese along the Kokoda Track
and on Bougainville until the end of the war. 7 Fd Coy returned to Australia on 3 January 1946 and disbanded once again on 4 February 1946. A second Queensland unit, the 11th Field Company, which had been based at Kelvin Grove and Toowong before the war, also saw active service in New Guinea and Bougainville during this time.
and then later expanded. The unit was involved in the construction of facilities for the nuclear tests conducted at Emu Claypan during the 1950s. On 11 March 1949, this unit became the Special Construction Squadron, RAE and was renamed 7 Field Squadron (7 Fd Sqn). During the 1949 Coal Miner's Strike, 7 Fd Sqn supported Operation EXCAVATE to win coal in the New South Wales minefields.
Assault Pioneer Platoon in the Korean War
and participated in operations on the Pusan Perimeter. In 1955, elements of the Sqn deployed to South-East Asia and participated in the Malayan Emergency
. On 28 December 1958, the unit deployed to Vanuatu to provide humanitarian support after a tropical cyclone. In June 1960, the Australian Military Forces were reorganised along Divisional basis and 7 Independent Field Squadron (redesignated 7 Fd Sqn) moved to Wacol, Queensland
. Between June and December 1964, 7 Fd Sqn deployed to Borneo during the Indonesian Confrontation to conduct tasks such as road and airstrip construction.
On 1 December 1971, Divisional Engineers reorganised into Regiments and 7 Fd Sqn became part of the 2nd Field Engineer Regiment (2 FER) which was allocated under command Headquarters 6th Task Force
at Enoggera, Queensland
. 2 FER consisted of 7 Fd Sqn, 2 Field Squadron (2 Fd Sqn), 24 Support Squadron (24 Spt Sqn) and a Workshops. 17 Construction Squadron on its return from Vietnam
in late 1971 was renamed 17 Field Squadron (17 Fd Sqn) and in mid 1973 was merged with 7 Fd Sqn, 2 FER.
In August 1981, 2 FER became 2/3 FER following the disbandment of 1 FER and the merging of 3 FER. 2/3 FER was based at Enoggera, Queensland and now consisted of 1 Field Squadron (Holsworthy), 7 Fd Sqn (Enoggera), 18 Field Squadron (Townsville) and a Workshops. In July 1987, 35 Field Squadron and 11 Field Squadron (11 Fd Sqn—formerly 11th Field Company and ex-5 FER located at Kelvin Grove), was brought onto the 2/3 FER unit status. At the time, it was the single largest regiment on the Army Order of Battle.
acting under UN Resolution 435, formed a military force—United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG)—for deployment to the war torn country of Namibia
(formerly South West Africa) a protectorate of South Africa. The mission was to supervise the withdrawal of the South African Defence Force (SADF), assist those displaced by the war to return home, and to pave the way for the first 'free and fair' elections ever held in that country. The 17th Construction Squadron was mobilised for deployment and augmented by the 14th Field Troop. This contingent was sent to the northern most part of Namibia, to an ex-SADF base at Ondangwa, in close proximity to the Angolan border for the majority of the deployment. 14th Field Troop was responsible for unexploded ordnance and landmine clearance tasks. They were deployed between March and September 1989 and handed over to elements of the 15th Field Troop, 18 Fd Sqn.
Following the Force Structure Review in 1991, 2/3 FER was broken into 1
, 2 and 3 Combat Engineer Regiments
(CERs) with 2 CER being raised first on 24 November 1991 and remaining at Enoggera. 2 CER is also the oldest of the CERs. 2 CER now became part of 7th Brigade and comprised 7 Combat Engineer Squadron (7 CE Sqn), 20 Engineer Support Squadron (previously 20 Divisional Engineer Support Squadron) and 11 Operational Support Squadron (logistic support and workshops). During the Ready Reserve experiment of the 1990s, 2 CER increased its establishment of Reserve
members.
in East Timor and undertook a wide variety of construction and combat engineering tasks along the border between East and West Timor. During November 2003 – June 2004, 2 CER supported the 6 RAR Battalion Group (AUSBATT IX) in East Timor. 2 CER subsequently led an independent Company Group in support of a multi-national United Nations Security Force as part of Operation SPIRE during the period December 2004 – June 2005. This force conducted a wide variety of support engineering and combat service support taskings in support of other United Nations forces deployed to the country. In December 2004, elements of 2 CER were deployed to provide humanitarian assistance in Banda Aceh (Operation SUMATRA ASSIST) after a tsunami was experienced within the Indonesian region and South West Pacific rim. 2 CER engineers provided civil military liaison support, cleared debris, recovered human remains, provided clean water and assisted with the humanitarian effort.
from March – October 2007 as part of Operation SLIPPER. 2 CER personnel were deployed in a wide variety of roles including training and mentoring members of the Afghan National Army
, and undertaking route clearance, search, construction tasks and infantry missions. In February 2010, 2 CER deployed an element of combat engineers as part of the 750 strong 6 RAR battlegroup deployed to Orūzgān Province
.
, 2 CER deployed throughout Brisbane and the surrounding region to assist with recovery and cleanup as part of Operation Queensland Flood Assist
.
Timor-Leste Battle Group from January – October 2010. The Regiment also supported the 6 RAR
Battle Group Mentoring Task Force 1 (MTF1) in Afghanistan. At the same time, 2 CER continues to build new facilities, receive new equipment and raise another two sub-units—2nd Combat Engineer Squadron (2 CE Sqn) and the Operational Support Squadron (OSS)—as part of the Australian Army Enhanced Land Force (ELF) and Modular Engineer Force (MEF) initiatives.
2 CER has an official Bond of Friendship with 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa, Canada.
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
modular engineer regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
trained for sapper/combat engineer operations. 2 CER's lineage is traced back to 7th Field Company (7 Fd Coy). During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, this unit was renowned for action during the Battle of the Somme, Menin Road and the Hindenburg Line
Hindenburg Line
The Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it fought the Japanese at Kokoda
Kokoda Track campaign
The Kokoda Track campaign or Kokoda Trail campaign was part of the Pacific War of World War II. The campaign consisted of a series of battles fought between July and November 1942 between Japanese and Allied—primarily Australian—forces in what was then the Australian territory of Papua...
and on Bougainville. The Regiment is located at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, Queensland and is part of 7th Brigade
Australian 7th Brigade
7th Brigade is a combined arms formation or brigade of the Australian Army. The Brigade was first raised in 1915 as part of the First Australian Imperial Force and saw action at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during World War I. Following the end of the war the brigade was disbanded before...
, attached to HQ Forces Command. During the last twelve months, the unit has served in Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
.
World War I
The 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment traces its history back to the 4th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE), which was raised in New South Wales and then later renamed the 7th Field Company (7 Fd Coy) on 20 September 1915. The 7 Fd Coy was raised for overseas service with the Australian Imperial ForceAustralian Imperial Force
The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force...
(AIF) and served with distinction in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during World War I, where it saw action in the Battle of the Somme
Battle of the Somme (1916)
The Battle of the Somme , also known as the Somme Offensive, took place during the First World War between 1 July and 14 November 1916 in the Somme department of France, on both banks of the river of the same name...
, Menin Road and the Hindenburg Line
Hindenburg Line
The Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
before returning to Australia and disbandment on 23 May 1919.
In 1921 the Australian government decided to restructure the part time Citizens Forces
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
units to replicate the numerical designations and perpetuate the honours of the AIF. As a result, on the 1 May 1921, the unit was re-raised as the 7 Fd Coy of the 1st Division
1st Division (Australia)
The 1st Division is the main formation of the Australian Army and contains the majority of the army's regular forces. Its headquarters is in Enoggera, a suburb of Brisbane...
, based in Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
.
World War II
Due to the provisions of the Defence Act (1903) which precluded deploying the Militia outside of Australian territory, following the outbreak of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Australian government decided to raise an all volunteer force for overseas service, known as the Second Australian Imperial Force
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
(2nd AIF). During this time the units of the Militia undertook brief periods of continuous service to undertake training and other defensive tasks in Australia in an effort to improve the nation's defences in case of war in the Pacific. With Japan's entry into the war following the attacks on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
and Malaya
Battle of Malaya
The Malayan Campaign was a campaign fought by Allied and Japanese forces in Malaya, from 8 December 1941 – 31 January 1942 during the Second World War. The campaign was dominated by land battles between British Commonwealth army units, and the Imperial Japanese Army...
, the strategic situation worsened and units of the Militia were mobilised for war service. 7 Fld Coy was called out for full time service in May 1942 and was eventually gazetted as an Australian Imperial Force unit. The unit served in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
and fought against the Japanese along the Kokoda Track
Kokoda Track campaign
The Kokoda Track campaign or Kokoda Trail campaign was part of the Pacific War of World War II. The campaign consisted of a series of battles fought between July and November 1942 between Japanese and Allied—primarily Australian—forces in what was then the Australian territory of Papua...
and on Bougainville until the end of the war. 7 Fd Coy returned to Australia on 3 January 1946 and disbanded once again on 4 February 1946. A second Queensland unit, the 11th Field Company, which had been based at Kelvin Grove and Toowong before the war, also saw active service in New Guinea and Bougainville during this time.
Post World War II
On 19 June 1947, a Special Survey Troop was activated for employment on the proposed Rocket Range at WoomeraWoomera, South Australia
The town, or village, of Woomera is located in the south east corner of the Woomera Prohibited Area ; colloquially known as the Woomera Rocket Range...
and then later expanded. The unit was involved in the construction of facilities for the nuclear tests conducted at Emu Claypan during the 1950s. On 11 March 1949, this unit became the Special Construction Squadron, RAE and was renamed 7 Field Squadron (7 Fd Sqn). During the 1949 Coal Miner's Strike, 7 Fd Sqn supported Operation EXCAVATE to win coal in the New South Wales minefields.
Korea/Malayan Emergency/Indonesian Confrontation
The unit was reassigned to 1 Field Engineer Regiment in June 1951, before being redesignated 7 Independent Field Squadron and grouped with the 1st Infantry Brigade at Casula and Holsworthy. During this time, the unit provided support to the 1 RAR1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 1 RAR was first formed as the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion in 1945 and since then has been deployed on active service during the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War...
Assault Pioneer Platoon in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and participated in operations on the Pusan Perimeter. In 1955, elements of the Sqn deployed to South-East Asia and participated in the Malayan Emergency
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
. On 28 December 1958, the unit deployed to Vanuatu to provide humanitarian support after a tropical cyclone. In June 1960, the Australian Military Forces were reorganised along Divisional basis and 7 Independent Field Squadron (redesignated 7 Fd Sqn) moved to Wacol, Queensland
Wacol, Queensland
Wacol is a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. According to the 2001 census, a total of 4851 people lived within the boundaries of Wacol. The suburb is located on the east bank of the Brisbane River, 18 km south-west of the Brisbane central business district, on the Brisbane-Ipswich railway...
. Between June and December 1964, 7 Fd Sqn deployed to Borneo during the Indonesian Confrontation to conduct tasks such as road and airstrip construction.
On 1 December 1971, Divisional Engineers reorganised into Regiments and 7 Fd Sqn became part of the 2nd Field Engineer Regiment (2 FER) which was allocated under command Headquarters 6th Task Force
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...
at Enoggera, Queensland
Enoggera, Queensland
Enoggera is a suburb of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. The suburb is located 6 km north-west of the Brisbane CBD.-History:In 1845 John Brennan purchased six hectares of land in Enoggera. Six years later, Thomas Hayes moved to the area and bought thirty-three acres of land...
. 2 FER consisted of 7 Fd Sqn, 2 Field Squadron (2 Fd Sqn), 24 Support Squadron (24 Spt Sqn) and a Workshops. 17 Construction Squadron on its return from Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
in late 1971 was renamed 17 Field Squadron (17 Fd Sqn) and in mid 1973 was merged with 7 Fd Sqn, 2 FER.
In August 1981, 2 FER became 2/3 FER following the disbandment of 1 FER and the merging of 3 FER. 2/3 FER was based at Enoggera, Queensland and now consisted of 1 Field Squadron (Holsworthy), 7 Fd Sqn (Enoggera), 18 Field Squadron (Townsville) and a Workshops. In July 1987, 35 Field Squadron and 11 Field Squadron (11 Fd Sqn—formerly 11th Field Company and ex-5 FER located at Kelvin Grove), was brought onto the 2/3 FER unit status. At the time, it was the single largest regiment on the Army Order of Battle.
Namibia
7 Fd Sqn consisted of a Headquarters, 13th and 14th Field Troops and 24th Support Troop. In March 1989, the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
acting under UN Resolution 435, formed a military force—United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG)—for deployment to the war torn country of Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
(formerly South West Africa) a protectorate of South Africa. The mission was to supervise the withdrawal of the South African Defence Force (SADF), assist those displaced by the war to return home, and to pave the way for the first 'free and fair' elections ever held in that country. The 17th Construction Squadron was mobilised for deployment and augmented by the 14th Field Troop. This contingent was sent to the northern most part of Namibia, to an ex-SADF base at Ondangwa, in close proximity to the Angolan border for the majority of the deployment. 14th Field Troop was responsible for unexploded ordnance and landmine clearance tasks. They were deployed between March and September 1989 and handed over to elements of the 15th Field Troop, 18 Fd Sqn.
Following the Force Structure Review in 1991, 2/3 FER was broken into 1
1st Combat Engineer Regiment (Australia)
The 1st Combat Engineer Regiment is a combat engineer regiment of the Australian Army. Based in the Northern Territory and attached to 1st Brigade, it is a Regular Army unit of the Royal Australian Engineers and is tasked with providing mobility and counter mobility support.-Structure:* 1st Combat...
, 2 and 3 Combat Engineer Regiments
3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (Australia)
The 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment ' is an Australian Army modular engineer regiment trained for sapper/combat engineer operations. The unit is based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, Queensland and is part of the 3rd Brigade. It has deployed to the Solomon Islands under Operation Anode, and has...
(CERs) with 2 CER being raised first on 24 November 1991 and remaining at Enoggera. 2 CER is also the oldest of the CERs. 2 CER now became part of 7th Brigade and comprised 7 Combat Engineer Squadron (7 CE Sqn), 20 Engineer Support Squadron (previously 20 Divisional Engineer Support Squadron) and 11 Operational Support Squadron (logistic support and workshops). During the Ready Reserve experiment of the 1990s, 2 CER increased its establishment of Reserve
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
members.
Sydney Olympics
2 CER next underwent a change during 1999, when it was assigned the task of forming and commanding the new Joint Incident Response Unit (JIRU), in support of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games as part of Operation GOLD. The unit was split, with the majority of personnel moving to Holsworthy to form the JIRU (and subsequently the new Incident Response Regiment [IRR]), leaving a small Headquarters element and 7 CE Sqn in Enoggera. In July 2001, the Regiment underwent a force structure review which saw the unit grow in strength once again. 2 CER became a fully integrated unit consisting of a Regimental Headquarters, an Operational Support Troop (Catering Section, Q Store and Workshops), 7 CE Sqn (Reserve), 11 CE Sqn (Regular) and 20 Support Troop (Integrated).East Timor/Banda Aceh
From April–October 2001, a composite engineer troop was deployed to support the 4 RAR Battalion Group4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
The 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, was an Australian Army infantry battalion and part of the Royal Australian Regiment. The battalion was formed on 1 February 1964 and was renamed the 2nd Commando Regiment on 19 June 2009....
in East Timor and undertook a wide variety of construction and combat engineering tasks along the border between East and West Timor. During November 2003 – June 2004, 2 CER supported the 6 RAR Battalion Group (AUSBATT IX) in East Timor. 2 CER subsequently led an independent Company Group in support of a multi-national United Nations Security Force as part of Operation SPIRE during the period December 2004 – June 2005. This force conducted a wide variety of support engineering and combat service support taskings in support of other United Nations forces deployed to the country. In December 2004, elements of 2 CER were deployed to provide humanitarian assistance in Banda Aceh (Operation SUMATRA ASSIST) after a tsunami was experienced within the Indonesian region and South West Pacific rim. 2 CER engineers provided civil military liaison support, cleared debris, recovered human remains, provided clean water and assisted with the humanitarian effort.
Afghanistan
2 CER led the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF 2) which deployed to AfghanistanWar in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
from March – October 2007 as part of Operation SLIPPER. 2 CER personnel were deployed in a wide variety of roles including training and mentoring members of the Afghan National Army
Afghan National Army
The Afghan National Army is a service branch of the military of Afghanistan, which is currently trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the role in land-based military operations in Afghanistan. , the Afghan National Army is divided into seven regional Corps. The strength of the Afghan...
, and undertaking route clearance, search, construction tasks and infantry missions. In February 2010, 2 CER deployed an element of combat engineers as part of the 750 strong 6 RAR battlegroup deployed to Orūzgān Province
Oruzgan Province
Orūzgān or Urōzgān , also spelled Uruzgan or Rōzgān , is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the center of the country, though the area is culturally and tribally linked to Kandahar in the south. Its capital is Tarin Kowt...
.
Queensland floods
In January 2011, in the aftermath of the 2010–2011 Queensland floods2010–2011 Queensland floods
A series of floods hit Australia, beginning in December 2010, primarily in the state of Queensland including its capital city, Brisbane. The floods forced the evacuation of thousands of people from towns and cities. At least seventy towns and over 200,000 people were affected. Damage initially was...
, 2 CER deployed throughout Brisbane and the surrounding region to assist with recovery and cleanup as part of Operation Queensland Flood Assist
Operation Queensland Flood Assist
Operation Queensland Flood Assist is a complex, multi-Service activity by the Australian Defence Force as a contribution to the response to the 2010–2011 Queensland floods. Coordinated to aid civilian emergency response efforts, at Federal inter-departmental level it is managed by Emergency...
.
Other missions
Throughout its history, individual members of the unit have also been involved in operations in Cambodia, Somalia, Pakistan, Rwanda, Solomon Islands and Bougainville and support to police during the several Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM). In addition to its military role, 2 CER also works closely with the local Queensland community in times of emergency. This was demonstrated in November 2008 following the worst storms in Brisbane since 1985 when 2 CER co-ordinated the large scale Defence-assisted relief efforts.Planning for the future
As of January 2011, 2 CER has been directed to become the largest combat engineer unit in the Australian Army. The Regiment has recently returned from warfighting and peacekeeping operations throughout the world, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, East Timor, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam and Cambodia. 2 CER supported the 8/9 RAR8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
The 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally formed in 1973 by linking together both the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment...
Timor-Leste Battle Group from January – October 2010. The Regiment also supported the 6 RAR
6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6 June 1965 and has since then served in a number of overseas deployments and conflicts including South Vietnam, East Timor and Iraq...
Battle Group Mentoring Task Force 1 (MTF1) in Afghanistan. At the same time, 2 CER continues to build new facilities, receive new equipment and raise another two sub-units—2nd Combat Engineer Squadron (2 CE Sqn) and the Operational Support Squadron (OSS)—as part of the Australian Army Enhanced Land Force (ELF) and Modular Engineer Force (MEF) initiatives.
2 CER has an official Bond of Friendship with 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa, Canada.
Composition
- Regimental HQ
- 2 Combat Engineer Squadron
- 10 Troop
- 11 Troop
- 7 Combat Engineer Squadron
- 13 Troop
- 14 Troop
- 11 Combat Engineer Squadron
- 27 Troop
- 28 Troop
- 29 Spt Troop
- 24 Support Squadron
- Plant & Resources Troop
- Operational Support Squadron
- Workshops
- Transport
- RAP
- Q-Store
- 2 Combat Engineer Squadron