17th Construction Squadron (Australia)
17th Construction Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1949–1973 1977–present |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Australian Army |
Type | Squadron |
Role | Military engineering |
Size | 150–275 personnel |
Part of | 1st Australian Task Force (1966–1971) 1st Construction Regiment (1977–1990) Independent Squadron (1990–2003) 6th Engineer Support Regiment (2003–present) |
Nickname(s) | Ginger Beers |
Motto(s) | A little bear will fix it |
Mascot(s) | A Little Bear |
Anniversaries | 18 June (Waterloo Dinner) |
Engagements | Vietnam War Namibia East Timor |
Honour Distinctions | Namibia 1989–1990[1][2] |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | John Sanderson |
The 17th Construction Squadron is an
History
Squadron origins (1949–1965)
17th Construction Squadron was raised out of the Eastern Command Maintenance Squadron on 20 September 1949 as a Regular unit, under the command of Captain E. Phillips. Upon formation it consisted of three troops: 8, 9 and 10. Squadron headquarters was located at Kingsford, New South Wales, along with the 9 and 10 Troops, while 8 Troop was located in the Moore Park area. The year later, Plant Troop was raised and moved to Woomera, South Australia.[3] It had initially been planned that the squadron would form part of a regimental formation known as the 4th Construction Regiment, but the regiment was never raised and the squadron was formed as an independent unit.[4]
During the period between 1950 and 1965 the squadron carried out considerable construction and relief tasks both within Australia and overseas. It was involved in the construction of the
In 1960, an element from 8 Troop was deployed to New Hebrides to help restore Port Vila after it was struck by a cyclone.[6] The following year, 10 Troop was detached to the command of the 24th Construction Squadron and deployed to Vanimo and Passam, Papua New Guinea, where they completed road building tasks and constructed a 300-ton wharf.[3] In June 1963, the main body of the squadron deployed to Wewak, taking over from the 21st Construction Squadron, before returning to Australia in June 1964, having been replaced by the 22nd Construction Squadron.[7]
South Vietnam (1966–1971)
The most significant part of squadron history was its involvement in the
The squadron was also involved in the construction of the
Land clearing operations had been undertaken by 1st Field Squadron since the occupation of Nui Dat to improve base defences and observation. Later they were extended for tactical purposes to open up key routes within Phuoc Tuy by removing vegetation to deny cover and concealment to the Viet Cong, and also provided arable land for villagers as part of the Pacification program.
1970 saw the squadron heavily committed to Project 399,
Enoggera and disbandment (1972–1973)
The decade of the 1970s saw the demise of the squadron as the RAE was reorganised around a regimental structure. In February 1972, it was renamed the 17th Field Squadron,
Re-raised in Sydney (1977–1989)
In August 1977, the 17th Construction Squadron was re-raised at Gallipoli Lines,
During the early 1980s operational readiness planning took up a large slice of the squadron's effort. During this decade a large number of construction tasks were still completed, including the construction of the Holsworthy Range Road, the School of Military Engineering Museum upgrade and numerous Lysaght buildings. A detachment also supported 22nd Construction Squadron with the construction of facilities for the Special Air Service Regiment.
In 1982 8 Troop performed a small controlled demolition of the Woronora Weir at Engadine. When Severe Tropical Cyclone Isaac hit Tonga on 3 March 1982, killing 6 people and making 45,000 homeless, the entire squadron was deployed to Tonga for a two-week period to assist with urgent shelter and recovery efforts.[38]
In 1985 the Squadron rebuilt the airfield at the army's Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
In 1987–88 over a six-month period the Plant Troop constructed a large earth filled dam on the upper
The squadron participated in a major exercise with the 1st Construction Regiment at Singleton, New South Wales in 1988. This was the first occasion that the Transfield heavy girder bridge had been constructed on exercise. Also in 1988 9 Troop constructed the Holsworthy Range Control facility and facilities at Penrith.
Other works were undertaken overseas by detachments as part of the Defence Co-operation Program. Established in the early 1960s to engage with Southeast Asian nations, in the early 1980s the program was refocused upon the nations in the Southwest Pacific, where a number of construction projects were implemented.[40] During this time, projects were completed in several countries including:
- Tonga Defence Services;[41]
- and
- Papua New Guinea where facilities were constructed for the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.[41]
In early 1988, the squadron deployed an officer to Wilkes Station, Antarctica to develop an environmental clean-up plan to remove, make safe or dispose of a large accumulation of rubbish, fuel in drums, explosives, chemicals and gas cylinders deposited since the late 1950s. The plan was subsequently carried out over a period of years for the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions by a series of detachments from the squadron.[43]
Just prior to deployment to Namibia in January 1989, 9 Troop was deployed at short notice to construct a Light Assault Floating Bridge (Pontoon bridge) across the Macquarie River on the Mitchell Highway in Wellington, New South Wales which had been destroyed by a truck carrying an excavator.[44][45]
Namibia (1989–1990)
Having been on stand-by since 1979, the squadron finally deployed to Namibia in April 1989 as part of the Military Component of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group
During the first rotation, the squadron was involved in a wide variety of tasks. The first task was to lead "Operation Safe Passage". This required the squadron members (supported by British signallers) to work as infantry and man border and internal assembly points. At the time these were the only military units that could be re-deployed quickly to northern Namibia. The aim of the operation was to facilitate the withdrawal of the
The next major task was to construct and support a number of Returnee Reception centres for the
The Squadron was also occupied with route and mine clearance. The SADF laid recognised, marked and fenced, anti-personnel minefields typically as perimeter protection to bases and vital assets. The SADF reported laying 45,000 mines during the conflict of which 3,000 were unaccounted for when UNTAG arrived.[51] SWAPO employed mines as a means of ambushing or intimidation. Much of the work of the 75 Field Engineers deployed with each contingent was area search, clearance of exposed mines, marking minefields and route clearance.[51][52] Colonel John Crocker, the Commander of the 2nd Contingent wrote that "For the first time since the Vietnam War, Australian Sappers hand cleared their way into live minefields on seven separate occasions to destroy exposed mines. Similar mines killed several civilians and many animals during the mission. Field engineers of the contingent destroyed over 5,000 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) ranging from artillery shells, through RPG rockets to grenades. UXO, a legacy of the 20-year Bush War, posed a major hazard to local inhabitants in the northern provinces and to UNTAG personnel in that area".[49]
The second rotation provided considerable support to the elections that were conducted in November 1989 and which was the primary task for the remainder of the deployment. Activities commenced with 1 ASC from May 1989 onward, but became the primary task for 2 ASC. Major tasks included:[52][53]
- Service support: Support was provided to approximately 500 electoral centres and police stations through the siting and erection of either permanent or portable accommodation as well as the provision of essential services;
- Construction engineering: including the construction, modification or upgrade of UNTAG working and living accommodation, the provision of essential services (power, water and air traffic control facilities) and the maintenance and upgrade of roads and Opuwo airfield.
- Ready Reaction Force: On two separate occasions during the November 1989 election, the ASC's Ready Reaction Force was used to disperse rioters who were offering violence to UN election motors, including Australians.
The squadron also conducted other works tasks which included an upgrade of the Rundu air base (construction of a movement facility and helipads), construction of a school building for one of the local schools, and the upgrade and maintenance of roads and hard-stands in the area. The second rotation returned to Australia in February 1990. The squadron for their efforts in Namibia received many letters of commendation and appreciation including in 2012 the award of the first Honour Distinction. This is a new (2012) award that provides recognition for outstanding service in operations in other than declared theatres of war.[1][2]
RAAF Scherger (1990–1996)
During the 1990s, the squadron was moved outside of the regimental structure, becoming independent once again. In March 1993, it became involved in the construction of RAAF Base Scherger, near Weipa in Far North Queensland. The biggest project undertaken by the Royal Australian Engineers at the time, the task drew very heavily on the squadron's personnel and resources, with three rotations each year.[54] The squadron's involvement with the project was complete by the end of 1996, although ongoing refurbishment continued throughout 1997.[55] The base was officially opened on 5 August 1998 by the Prime Minister, John Howard.[54]
Recent operations and projects
AACAP (1997–present)
In 1996, Prime Minister John Howard committed Australian Army resources to improve health related infrastructure in remote Aboriginal communities. Assisting units provide logistic, transport, communication and health support to the soldiers. The Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP) was initiated in 1997 by the 17th Construction Squadron in the Bulla community, in the vicinity of Timber Creek in the Northern Territory. The squadron has been responsible for AACAPs at a number of locations.[56][57][58][59]
INTERFET (1999–2000)
At the completion of AACAP Jumbun in 1999 the squadron was deployed at short notice to participate in Operation Warden as part of the
6th Engineer Support Regiment (2003–present)
In 2003, the 17th Construction Squadron became a part of the
Awards and commendations
The Squadron was awarded a Chief of the General Staff Commendation from Lieutenant General Lawrence O'Donnell in March 1990 for the deployment to Namibia.[1]
In April 2012 the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, approved a recommendation for the award of the first Honour Distinction to 17th Construction Squadron. This is a new (2012) award that provides recognition for outstanding service in operations in other than declared theatres of war. The citation for the award reads:
17 Construction Squadron is awarded the Honour Distinction, Namibia 1989–1990, in recognition of its creditable performance in support of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group operation to manage the transition of Namibia to independence in 1990. Despite being deployed to provide engineering support, when the ceasefire broke down at the start of the mission, members of the squadron helped establish Assembly Points, which enabled the mission to continue. This activity was conducted in the face of hostility from elements of the former colonial power and personal danger arising from the breakdown of the cease fire. Later, 17 Construction Squadron became involved in the election process itself, providing security, transport and logistic support to election officials, monitors, other UN personnel, voters and polling stations. Members of 17 Construction Squadron ensured that, as much as possible, the election was able to proceed without interruption or interference and ensured that all parties were free from intimidation or duress. With the selfless support of individuals from other units of the Australian Defence Force, 17 Construction Squadron played a key role in the smooth and effective transition of Namibia from colonial rule to independence. The Squadron performed a role well beyond what was expected and brought great credit on itself, the Australian Army and Australia.
"Letter from the Chief of Army to the Governor General". Army Headquarters, Canberra. 10 April 2012. {{cite journal}}
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(help)[2]
The award was presented to the unit on 11 May 2013 by the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce.[2]
Commanders
The following officers have served as the squadron's Officer Commanding (OC):
- E. Phillips (1949);
- Malcolm van Gelder (1968–69);[69]
- J. Wertheimer (1969–70);
- K Park (1970)
- John Sanderson (1970–71);[26]
- J. F. Koek (1977–78);
- R. Weber (1983–85);
- David Crago (1988–89);[70]
- B. Sowry (1989–90);[71]
- Ahmad Mostafa (1991–92);
- Stephen Day (1993–94);
- Shane Miller (1997–98);
- Mark Shephard (1999–2000);
- N. Beutel (2001–02);[72]
- Paul Hobbs (2003–04);
- J. Miezio (2005–06);
- J. Taylor (2012–14);[73]
- J. B. K. Plimmer (2015–1?);
- A. Buenen (2019–).[74]
Notes
- ^ a b c "Commendation, Australian Contingent UNTAG". Army Headquarters, Canberra. 2 March 1990.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ a b c d "Letter from the Chief of Army to the Governor General". Army Headquarters, Canberra. 10 April 2012: 2. OCA/OUT/2012/R11194182.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j Grantham 1978, p. 27.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 30.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 471.
- ^ Greville 2002, pp. 584–585.
- ^ Greville 2002, pp. 525–527.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 670.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 744.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 671.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 699.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 700.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 666.
- ^ McNeill 1993, p. 230–231.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 679.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 680.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 684.
- ^ Greville 2002. p. 683.
- ^ Greville 2002, pp. 783–784.
- ^ Parker 1972, p. 40.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 787.
- ^ Parker 1972, p. 41.
- ^ Greville 2002. p. 788.
- ^ Combe, David (3 August 1969). "Viet Cong cut Australian supply route DPR/TV/1153". Vietnam: Phuoc Tuy Province: Australian Army. Archived from the original on 26 November 2012.
Officer Commanding, Major John Wertheimer
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 673.
- ^ a b "Lieutenant General John Murray Sanderson, AC". Australian War Memorial. 2012.
- ^ Kerr, Joan (2007). "Sydney Leon Miller". Design & Art Australia Online.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 177.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 182.
- ^ a b c d Grantham 1978, p. 28.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 44.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 674.
- ^ Greville 2002, pp. 43–44.
- ^ Greville 2002, p. 49.
- ^ Grantham 1978, pp. 28 & 31.
- ^ Grantham 1978, p. 31.
- ^ "Digest of Bill: Veterans' Affairs Amendment Bill 1989". Parliament of Australia. 3 May 1989.
- ISBN 978-92-1-132108-1.
- ^ "Bents Basin State Conservation Area". NSW Government, Office of Environment and Heritage. 2012.
- ^ Shephard 1993, p. iii.
- ^ a b Crocker & Warren 1985, p. 452.
- ^ "Vanuatu country brief". Parliament of Australia. July 2012. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011.
- ^ Mr Moncur, Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (13 April 1989). "Program 3 – Antarctic". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Commonwealth of Australia: Senate Estimates Committee, Department of the Arts, Sport, The Environment, Tourism and Territories.
- ^ McAlister, Holly (9 January 2011). "Bridge to past: Remembering collapse that split town". Wellington Times. Archived from the original on 9 January 2011.
- ^ D.M. Griffiths (1990). "Collapse of the Bridge over the Macquarie River at Wellington, New South Wales". National Structural Engineering Conference.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Economy: Living Standards". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Commonwealth of Australia: House of Representatives. 6 March 1989.
- ^ Wren, Christopher (19 April 1989). "U.N. Guards Rebels at Namibia Border". The New York Times.
- ^ "Ceasefire call beamed into Namibian bush". The Age. 11 April 1989.
- ^ a b Colonel John Crocker (January–February 1991). "Multinational Peacekeeping" (PDF). Australian Defence Force Journal (86). Letter to the Editor: Australian Defence Force: 6–7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 February 2012.
- ^ "Chronology". Dr Klaus Dierks. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
- ^ a b c Arlene Getz (5 August 1989). Shelley Gare (ed.). "Join the Army: See Namibia". The Sydney Morning Herald (Print). John Fairfax Group Pty Limited: 49–52.
- ^ a b Sowry, Brendan (1992). United Nations Transition Assistance Group in Namibia. Australian Army.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ Cameron Forbes (9 November 1989). "In Namibia, the war never really goes away". The Age.
- ^ a b "Prime Minister Opens RAAF Base Scherger". Sapper News: The Royal Australian Engineers Newsletter. 8 (2): 1–3. August 1998.
- ^ "On this day: 26 November, Australian Military History". Burleigh Heads RSL. 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program". Canberra: Department of Defence. 2012.
- ^ "Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program". Department of Defence (Australia). Retrieved 19 August 2012.
- ^ "Army indigenous initiatives". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- ^ "Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program". Department of Familites, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. 2012. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013.
AACAP Map showing locations and years
- ^ Amor, Rick (16 November 1999). "P03184.313". East Timor: Suai: Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
A sheeps foot roller of the 17th Construction Squadron, part of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET), extending the airfield at Suai. There is a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Iroquois helicopter coming in to land in the background.
- ^ "6th Engineer Support Regiment". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ a b Bree, Max (19 July 2012). "Engineers enter Zabul Lines". Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper. No. 1286. p. 9.
- ^ "Pacific Partnership". Department of Defence. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ^ "Defence force helps Queensland on road to recovery". Australian Emergency Management Institute. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ "Reconstruction Task Force soldiers farewelled from Sydney". Department of Defence. 20 March 2008.
- ^ "ANZAC Battle Group in Timor-Leste". Department of Defence. 10 November 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ Dodd, Mark (25 November 2006). "Anzac force sees its Timor role as co-operation". Weekend Australian. p. 2.
- ^ "School of Military Engineering to Holdfast at Holsworthy". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ "Malcolm van Gelder – In Memoriam". Canberra. 16 August 2008.
He served in Vietnam from February 1968 to February 1969 as the Officer Commanding of the 17th Construction Squadron RAE.
- ^ Bob Hawke, Prime Minister (6 March 1989). "ECONOMY: LIVING STANDARDS Discussion of Matter of Public Importance". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Commonwealth of Australia: House of Representatives.
- ^ Horner 2011, p. 117.
- ^ "Lieutenant Colonel Noel Beutel". Australian Institute of Architects. 2012. Archived from the original on 12 September 2007.
- ^ "Army helps out Dampier Peninsula communities". ABC News. 17 September 2012.
- ^ "Army Command List 2019". Canberra: Army HeadQuarters. 21 June 2018.
References
- Crocker, J.A.; Warren, R.D (1985). "Technology in Developing Countries – A Military Perspective". National Engineering Conference: The Community and Technology Growing Together Through Engineering. Barton, Australian Capital Territory: Institution of Engineers, Australia: 449–452. ISBN 0858252740.
- Grantham, Ken (December 1978). "17th Construction Squadron". Sapper. 2 (2): 27–31.
- Greville, Phillip (2002). Paving the Way: The Royal Australian Engineers 1945 to 1972. Vol. 4. Moorebank, New South Wales: The Corps Committee of the Royal Australian Engineers. ISBN 1-876439-74-2.
- Horner, David (2011). Australia and the New World Order; The Official History of Australian Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post-Cold War Operation. From Peacekeeping to Peace Enforcement: 1988–1991. Vol. 2. ISBN 9780521765879.
- McNeill, Ian (1993). To Long Tan: The Australian Army and the Vietnam War 1950–1966. The Official History of Australia's Involvement in Southeast Asian Conflicts 1948–1975. St Leonards, New South Wales: Allen and Unwin. ISBN 1863732829.
- Parker, G.B. (December 1972). "No Hiding Place". Sapper. 1 (3): 40–43.
- Shephard, Allan (1993). "Australia's Defence Cooperation Program, Research Paper No. 4" (PDF). Parliamentary Research Service.