Special Operations Command (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is a command within the Australian Defence Force
(ADF). Special Operations Command (SOCOM) was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces
units. As of 2007 Special Operations Command is fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command is of equivalent status to Australia's Maritime, Land and Air Commands. All its constituent units are drawn from the Australian Army
. It is modelled on the equivalent commands in the United States
and British
militaries.
While Special Operations Command had not formally commenced operations at the time, it appears that the headquarters may have overseen the boarding of the North Korean freighter MV Pong Su in April 2003 which involved elements of the both the SASR and 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
(Commando) Tactical Assault Groups.
In 2007, the APEC Summit hosted in Sydney had Special Operations Command involvement regarding security as world leaders, including John Howard
, George W. Bush
and other government and economic leaders were in attendance.
and Sydney
)
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...
(ADF). Special Operations Command (SOCOM) was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
units. As of 2007 Special Operations Command is fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command is of equivalent status to Australia's Maritime, Land and Air Commands. All its constituent units are drawn from the Australian Army
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...
. It is modelled on the equivalent commands in the United States
United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
and British
United Kingdom Special Forces
The United Kingdom Special Forces is a UK Ministry of Defence Directorate which also has the capability to provide a Joint Special Operations Task Force Headquarters...
militaries.
History
- East TimorOperation AstuteOperation Astute is an Australian-led military deployment to East Timor to quell unrest and return stability in the 2006 East Timor crisis. It is currently headed by Brigadier Bill Sowry, and commenced on 25 May 2006 under the command of Brigadier Michael Slater...
(May 2006–) - Security for the 2006 Commonwealth Games2006 Commonwealth GamesThe 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006. It was the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams competing, athletes competing, and events being held.The site...
in MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
(March 2006) - Afghanistan (2001– )Operation SlipperOperation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The operation commenced in late 2001 and is ongoing...
- IraqAustralian contribution to the 2003 invasion of IraqThe Howard Government supported the disarmament of Iraq during the Iraq disarmament crisis. Australia later provided one of the four most substantial combat force contingents during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under the operational codename Operation Falconer. Part of its contingent were among the...
(2003–2009) - Security for the 2003 Rugby World Cup2003 Rugby World CupThe 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
(October–November 2003) - Security for President George W. BushGeorge W. BushGeorge Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's visit to CanberraCanberraCanberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
(October 2003)
While Special Operations Command had not formally commenced operations at the time, it appears that the headquarters may have overseen the boarding of the North Korean freighter MV Pong Su in April 2003 which involved elements of the both the SASR and 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
4th 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....
(Commando) Tactical Assault Groups.
In 2007, the APEC Summit hosted in Sydney had Special Operations Command involvement regarding security as world leaders, including John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
, George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and other government and economic leaders were in attendance.
Order of battle
Special Operations Headquarters or SOHQ (CanberraCanberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
and Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
)
- Units under direct control of SOHQ:
- Special Operations Logistic Squadron (Sydney)
- Special Air Service RegimentAustralian Special Air Service RegimentThe Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR but commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army...
(Swanbourne, WASwanbourne, Western Australia-Facilities:Swanbourne includes the 18-hole Cottesloe Golf Club and Swanbourne Beach. Swanbourne is also well-known for having the only nudist beach in Perth. The beach, situated on army land and thus not subject to local council authority, is immediately north of the officially named Swanbourne...
)
Incorporates the role of Tactical Assault Group (West).- 1 Squadron
- 2 Squadron
- 3 Squadron
- 152 Signals Squadron
- Base Squadron
- Training Squadron
- 1st Commando Regiment a mixed Regular Army and (Army ReserveAustralian Army ReserveThe 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...
) Unit (Sydney)- 1 Commando Company (Sydney)
- 2 Commando Company (Williamstown, VicWilliamstown, VictoriaWilliamstown is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2006 Census, Williamstown had a population of 12,733....
) - 301 Signals Squadron (elements in both Sydney and Melbourne with the commando companies)
- 2nd Commando Regiment2nd Commando Regiment (Australia)The 2nd Commando Regiment is an Australian Army Special Forces unit, it is one of three combat-capable units within the Australian Special Operations Command. The regiment was established on 19 June 2009 when it was renamed from the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment...
(Sydney, NSW)
Incorporates the role of Tactical Assault Group (East).- A Company
- B Company
- C Company
- D Company
- 126 Signals Squadron
- Operations Support Company
- Logistics Support Company
- Incident Response Regiment (Sydney, NSW)
- Chemical, Biological and Radiological Response Squadron
- Emergency Response Squadron
- Scientific and Technical Organisation
Special Operations Commander Australia (SOCAUST)
- Major GeneralMajor General (Australia)Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank...
Duncan LewisDuncan LewisDuncan Edward Lewis AO, DSC, CSC , is a retired Australian Army officer and former Commander Special Forces. He is currently the Australian Secretary of Defence.-Military career:...
AOOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, DSCDistinguished Service Cross (Australia)The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System...
, CSCConspicuous Service CrossConspicuous Service Cross can refer to:* Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross...
(May 2002 – October 2004) - Major General Mike HindmarshMike HindmarshMajor General Michael Simon "Mike" Hindmarsh AO, DSC, CSC was a senior officer in the Australian Army. Hindmarsh served as Special Operations Commander Australia from 2004 to 2008, and Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations from March 2008 to January 2009.-Military...
AO, CSC (October 2004 – February 2008) - Major General Tim McOwanTim McOwanMajor General Timothy Joseph "Tim" McOwan DSC, CSM is a senior officer in the Australian Army. He served as Special Operations Commander Australia from February 2008 until January 2011.-Service history:...
DSC, CSMConspicuous Service MedalThe Conspicuous Service Medal is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force, it is awarded for meritorious achievement or dedication to duty in non-war like situations. The CSM was introduced in 1989 and is a distinct Australian military award. It is the second...
(February 2008 – January 2011) - Major General Gus GilmoreGus GilmoreMajor General Peter Warwick Gilmore, soldier, DSC, AM was appointed Special Operations Commander Australia in January 2011.-Education:* Geelong College* Royal Military College Duntroon, 1979–1983...
DSC, AMOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(January 2011 – Incumbent)
See also
- Canadian Special Operations Forces CommandCanadian Special Operations Forces CommandCanadian Special Operations Forces Command , is a command of the Canadian Forces...
- United Kingdom Special ForcesUnited Kingdom Special ForcesThe United Kingdom Special Forces is a UK Ministry of Defence Directorate which also has the capability to provide a Joint Special Operations Task Force Headquarters...
- United States Special Operations CommandUnited States Special Operations CommandThe United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
External links
- Australian special forces in Afghanistan – September 2006