All Topics  
Special Operations Command (Australia)

 
Special Operations Command (Australia)

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Special Operations Command (Australia)
 
 
  Topics Special Operations Command (Australia) Topic Home

The Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is a command within the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force

The Australian Defence Force is the Armed forces responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units....
 (ADF). Special Operations Command was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces
Special forces

Special Forces , also known as, Special Operation Forces is a generic term for highly-trained military teams/units that conduct specialized Military operation such as reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and counter-terrorism actions....
 units. It will be fully operational when a range of enhancement programs are completed in 2007.

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....
.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Special Operations Command (Australia)'
Start a new discussion about 'Special Operations Command (Australia)'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


The Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is a command within the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force

The Australian Defence Force is the Armed forces responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units....
 (ADF). Special Operations Command was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces
Special forces

Special Forces , also known as, Special Operation Forces is a generic term for highly-trained military teams/units that conduct specialized Military operation such as reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and counter-terrorism actions....
 units. It will be fully operational when a range of enhancement programs are completed in 2007.

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....
. 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 forces Commands of the United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps of the United States Military of the United States....
 and British
United Kingdom Special Forces

The United Kingdom Special Forces is a Ministry of Defence Directorate which also has the capability to provide a Joint Special Operations Task Force Headquarters....
 militaries.

History

  • East Timor
    Operation Astute

    Operation Astute is a United Nations-authorised, Australian Defence Force deployment to East Timor to quell unrest and return stability in the 2006 East Timor crisis....
     (May 2006-)
  • Security for the 2006 Commonwealth Games
    2006 Commonwealth Games

    The 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, Sportsperson competing, and events being held....
     in Melbourne
    Melbourne

    Melbourne is the more common name for the geographic region and Census in Australia of the Greater Melbourne metropolitan area. It is the second List of cities in Australia by population in Australia, with a population of approximately 3.8 million and serves as the List of Australian capital cities of Victoria ....
     (March 2006)
  • Afghanistan (2005- )
    Operation Slipper

    Operation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force contribution to the War in Afghanistan . The operation commenced in late 2001 and is ongoing....
  • Iraq (2003-?)
    Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq

    The 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....
  • Security for the 2003 Rugby World Cup
    2003 Rugby World Cup

    The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth rugby union Rugby World Cup and was won by England national rugby union team. 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 Union and Rugby World Cup Limited....
     (October-November 2003)
  • Security for President George W. Bush
    George W. Bush

    George Walker Bush served as the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He was the 46th List of Governors of Texas from 1995 to 2000 before being United States presidential inauguration as President on January 20, 2001....
    's visit to Canberra
    Canberra

    Canberra is the List of Australian capital cities of Australia. With a population of over 340,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth largest Australian city overall....
     (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, is the elite Commando battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and is one of two combat-capable groups within the Special Operations Command ....
 (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, Order of Australia was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He is the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Robert Menzies....
, George W Bush and other government and economic leaders were in attendance.

Structure

Aust Soc

Order of battle

Special Operations Headquarters or SOHQ (Canberra
Canberra

Canberra is the List of Australian capital cities of Australia. With a population of over 340,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth largest Australian city overall....
 and Sydney
Sydney

Sydney is the List of cities in Australia by population in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 4.34 million . It is the List of Australian capital cities of New South Wales, and was the site of the first British Empire colony in Australia....
)
  • Units under direct control of SOHQ:
    • Special Operations Combat Service Support Company (Sydney)
  • Australian Special Air Service Regiment
    Australian Special Air Service Regiment

    The Special Air Service Regiment is a Special Forces regiment modelled on the original Special Air Service and also drawing on the traditions of the Australian World War II Z Special Unit commando unit, as well as the Australian commandos which were active in the South Pacific during the same period....
     (Swanbourne, WA
    Swanbourne, Western Australia

    Swanbourne is a western coastal suburb of Perth, Western Australia, Western Australia and is an affluent locale with older homes being renovated and many new homes being built....
    )
    Incorporates the role of Tactical Assault Group (West).
    • 1 Squadron
    • 2 Squadron
    • 3 Squadron
    • 152 Signals Squadron
    • Base Squadron
    • Training Squadron
  • 1st Commando Regiment
    1st Commando Regiment

    1st Commando Regiment is a reserve commando regiment of the Australian Army with a contingent of full-time cadre staff. It is part of the Special Operations Command ....
     a mixed Regular Army and (Army Reserve
    Australian Army Reserve

    Army Reserve is a collective name for the military reserve force of the Australian Army. Following the formation of the army in 1901, its reserve component has had various names, including the Citizens Military Force , Militia, Citizens Forces and, unofficially, the "Australian Militia Forces"....
    )Unit (Sydney)
    • 1 Commando Company (Sydney)
    • 2 Commando Company (Williamstown, Vic
      Williamstown, Victoria

      Williamstown is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km south-west from Melbourne's Melbourne city centre. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay....
      )
    • 301 Signals Squadron (elements in both Sydney and Melbourne with the commando companies)
  • 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
    4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

    The 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, is the elite Commando battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and is one of two combat-capable groups within the Special Operations Command ....
     (Commando) (Sydney, NSW)
    • A Company
    • B Company
    • C Company
    • Tactical Assault Group (East)
    • 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 General
    Major General (Australia)

    Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the United Kingdom military rank of Major General ....
     Duncan Lewis
    Duncan Lewis

    Major General Duncan Edward Lewis Order of Australia, Distinguished Service Cross , Conspicuous Service Cross , is a retired Australian Army officer, and former Commander Special Forces....
     AO
    Order of Australia

    The Order of Australia is an Order established by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Monarchy of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"....
    , DSC
    Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)

    The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers and ratings of the Royal Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth of Nations countries....
    , CSC
    Conspicuous Service Cross

    Conspicuous Service Cross can refer to:* Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross ...
     (May 2002 - October 2004)
  • Major General
    Major General (Australia)

    Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the United Kingdom military rank of Major General ....
     Mike Hindmarsh
    Mike Hindmarsh

    Major General Michael Simon Hindmarsh Order of Australia, Conspicuous Service Cross , is a senior officer within the Australian Army. Hindmarsh served as Special Operations Command from 2004 to 2008, and Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations from March 2008 to January 2009....
     AO
    Order of Australia

    The Order of Australia is an Order established by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Monarchy of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"....
    , CSC
    Conspicuous Service Cross

    Conspicuous Service Cross can refer to:* Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross ...
     (October 2004 - February 2008)
  • Major General
    Major General (Australia)

    Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the United Kingdom military rank of Major General ....
     Tim McOwan
    Tim McOwan

    Major General Timothy Joseph McOwan Distinguished Service Cross , Conspicuous Service Medal, is the current Special Operations Command ....
     DSC
    Distinguished 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....
    , CSM
    Conspicuous Service Medal

    The 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....
     (February 2008 - )


See also

  • Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
    Canadian Special Operations Forces Command

    File:Canadian Forces emblem.pngCanadian Special Operations Forces Command is responsible for all special forces operations that will be capable of responding to terrorism and threats to Canadians and Canadian interests around the world....
  • United Kingdom Special Forces
    United Kingdom Special Forces

    The United Kingdom Special Forces is a Ministry of Defence Directorate which also has the capability to provide a Joint Special Operations Task Force Headquarters....
  • United States Special Operations Command
    United States Special Operations Command

    The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special forces Commands of the United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps of the United States Military of the United States....


External links

  • - September 2006