The Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is a command within the Australian Defence Force. Special Operations Command was established on 5 May 2003 to unite all of the Australian Army Special forces units and by 2008 was fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command is of equivalent status to Australia's Fleet, Forces and Air Commands. It is modelled on the equivalent commands in the United States and British militaries, and is led by a major general as Special Operations Commander Australia (SOCAUST).
SOCOMD's origins begin in 1979 with the army creating a small Directorate Special Action Forces--Army. On 13 February 1990 Headquarters Special Forces was established, which was renamed in 1997 to Headquarters Special Operations and in 2003 to Special Operations Headquarters in SOCOMD.
Video Special Operations Command (Australia)
History
- East Timor (May 2006-2007)
- Security for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne (March 2006)
- Afghanistan (2001-02) (2005-06) (2007-)
- Iraq (2003-09) (2014-)
- Security for the 2003 Rugby World Cup (October - November 2003)
- Security for President George W. Bush's visit to Canberra (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 both the Special Air Service Regiment 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.
Maps Special Operations Command (Australia)
Structure
Order of battle
Special Operations Headquarters or SOHQ (Canberra and Sydney)
- Units under direct control of SOHQ:
- Special Operations Logistics Squadron (Sydney)
- Special Operations Training and Education Centre (Singleton, NSW) - established in 1998 for Special Forces selection.
- Parachute Training School
- Special Air Service Regiment (Swanbourne, WA)
Incorporates the role of Tactical Assault Group (West).- 1 Squadron
- 2 Squadron
- 3 Squadron
- 4 Squadron
- 152 Signals Squadron
- Specialist Support Squadron
- Operational Support Squadron
- 1st Commando Regiment a mixed Regular Army and Army Reserve Unit
- Regimental Headquarters (Randwick Barracks, Sydney)
- 1 Commando Company (HMAS Penguin, Sydney)
- 2 Commando Company (Williamstown, VIC)
- 301 Signals Squadron (Randwick Barracks, Sydney with elements in the commando companies)
- 2nd Commando Regiment (Holsworthy, 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
- Special Operations Engineer Regiment (Sydney, NSW)
- A Squadron
- B Squadron
- Logistic Support Troop
Special Operations Commander Australia (SOCAUST)
The Special Operations Commander Australia (SOCAUST) is responsible for the peacetime 'raise, train and sustain' functions of Special Operations Command reporting to the Chief of Army whilst the Chief of Joint Operations is responsible for the operational functions of Special Operations Command deployments. The SOCAUST is responsible for the domestic counter-terrorism deployments of Special Operations Command reporting directly to the Chief of the Defence Force.
The following have held the position of Special Operations Commander Australia, with the ranks and honours as at the completion of their tenure:
See also
- Special Operations Command (New Zealand)
- United States Special Operations Command Pacific
- Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
Notes
References
- Blaxland, John (2014). The Australian Army from Whitlam to Howard. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107043657.
- Kuring, Ian (2004). Redcoats to Cams: A History of Australian Infantry 1788-2001. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military Historical Publications. ISBN 1876439998.
Further reading
- Senator Robert Hill, Minister for Defence (25 September 2003). "Defence Support To World Cup Security" (Press release). Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- Senator Robert Hill, Minister for Defence (29 October 2005). "New Special Operations Commander Appointed" (Press release). Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- Horner, David (2002). SAS: Phantoms of War. A History of the Australian Special Air Service (Second ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-647-9.
Source of article : Wikipedia
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