Special forces of Australia
The
History
The special forces of Australia trace their lineage to the commando units such as the Independent and Commando Companies and reconnaissance and intelligence gathering units such as Z Special Unit part of Special Operations Australia (code name Services Reconnaissance Department SRD) and M Special Unit part of the Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB) raised during World War II. The 1st and 2nd Commando Regiments raised post-war are descendants of the commando companies.[Note 1]
Command and control
The ultimate authority for the deployment of Australian special forces rests with the National Security Committee through consultation with the Chief of the Defence Force, the Secretary of Defence, and the Australian Intelligence Community. The Special Operations Command is the command responsible for Army special forces, including the Special Air Service Regiment, 1st Commando Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment. The Chief of Joint Operations and joint task force commanders are responsible for the operational functions of Special Operations Command whilst the Chief of Army is responsible for "raise, train, sustain" functions.[7] The Special Operations Commander Australia reports directly to the Chief of the Defence Force for domestic counter terrorism incidents.[7] The Australian Army definition of special operations is "highly specialised and focused operations performed by specially selected, trained and prepared individuals and teams imbued with a creative mindset capable of producing solutions beyond conventional approaches" and that "these activities are designed to achieve tailored operational, military and national strategic effects beyond those of conventional forces."[7]
Functions and units
All the Australian Army special forces units have been grouped together under the
Direct action, Hostage rescue and Advanced force operations
The main roles of the
Long range reconnaissance
Australian special forces trace their lineage to the long-range
Counter-terrorism and special recovery
A chief role of Australian special forces is conducting and supporting counter-terrorism operations and hostage rescue overseas and when called out within Australia in support
Maritime operations
The
Support to special operations
The
The Special Operations Logistics Squadron (SOLS) provides Special Operations Command with diverse logistic support both domestically and on operations overseas.[8]
Aviation support
The
Air combat control
The Royal Australian Air Force's No. 4 Squadron B Flight Combat Control Team (CCT) provide air traffic control and forward air control for close air support in support of special operations.[16][17]
Special forces training
The
Women in the Special forces
On 1 January 2014, the ADF removed the restriction on currently serving women applying for special forces combat roles and on 1 January 2016 direct entry to combat roles was opened to women.[19] Prior to the change women had served in special forces in non-combat roles. Women have passed the selection course for the Army Reserve 1st Commando Regiment and been awarded a Green Beret. In 1981, Army Reserve signaller Kerri Hiam of 126th Signal Squadron became the first woman to attempt selection, pass selection and be awarded a Green Beret.[20][21] In 1997, three Army women officers, including intelligence officer Lieutenant Fleur Froggatt, became the first women to complete the 1st Commando Regiment officer selection course with one of the officers awarded a Green Beret.[22][23] The women were barred from serving in combat roles.[22] A 2012 federal government report stated that female medics had been serving in Afghanistan on patrols with special forces units (the Special Operations Task Group) providing health clinics for local women and girls.[24]
Former units
Covert Action Directorate
In 1983, the
See also
- List of special forces units
- List of military diving units (including special forces)
- United States special operations forces
- UK Special Forces
- Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
- Special Operations Command (New Zealand)
Notes
Footnotes
Citations
- ISBN 9780992547424. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ Horner 2002, pp. 19–35.
- ^ Kuring 2004, pp. 259–260 & 432–435.
- ^ Oakes, Dan; Clark, Sam (11 July 2017). "The spy and the SAS soldier with a loaded Glock". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- ^ a b Bavas, Josh (20 October 2014). "Brisbane G20: Australian Defence Force special forces troops rehearse hostage recovery operation". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ "New Name for Sydney Commandos" (Press release). Department of Defence. 19 June 2009.
- ^ ISBN 9781921302978. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ a b c d Blaxland 2014, p. 328.
- ^ Yaxley, Louise (17 July 2017). "Terrorism: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull gives Defence Force power to help police during attacks". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ Hill, Robert (25 May 2004). "Australia's Response to Terrorism". Department of Defence (Australia). Archived from the original on 15 March 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ Walker, Ian (2 May 2013). "Australian Defence Force counter terrorism operation halts Sydney CBD". Daily Telegraph. News.com.au. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ISBN 9780980282153.
- ISBN 9780857983480.
- ^ "6th Aviation Regiment". Australian Army. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
- ^ RAAF Historical Section 1995, pp. 174–175.
- ^ Allard, Tom (17 March 2008). "New squadron will aim to cut civilian deaths". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
- ^ Air Power Development Centre (June 2014). "Combat Control in the RAAF". Pathfinder: Air Power Development Centre Bulletin (224). Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ Kuring 2004, p. 435.
- ^ "Landmark moment for women in the ADF". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Press release). 24 October 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ISBN 978-0646404202. Archived from the originalon 2008-11-13.
- ISBN 978-0949284709.
- ^ ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ Dodd, Mark (24 January 2012). "SAS and commandos out of reach for elite women soldiers". The Australian. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2012). Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012–2018 (PDF) (Report). Australian Government. p. 42. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
{{cite report}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ ISBN 9780855612504.
- ^ a b Smith, Alexandra (14 January 1989). "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". The Canberra Times. p. B1. Retrieved 16 March 2021 – via Trove – National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b Defence Honours & Awards Tribunal (22 December 2009). Inquiry into recognition of Australian Defence Force Service for Special Air Service Counter Terrorist and Special Recovery Duties (PDF) (Report). Australian Government. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ^ Mannix, Teresa (7 December 1983). "Army members involved in ASIS exercise". The Canberra Times. p. 3. Retrieved 16 March 2021 – via Trove – National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b Smith, Alexandra (15 January 1989). "Door to the Secret Service". The Canberra Times. p. 17. Retrieved 16 March 2021 – via Trove – National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c Smith, Alexandra (16 January 1989). "Bungle: only part of the exercise". The Canberra Times. p. 4. Retrieved 16 March 2021 – via Trove – National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b Wright, Tony (16 January 1989). "Hotel fiasco dooms the ASIS hit squad". The Canberra Times. p. 4. Retrieved 16 March 2021 – via Trove – National Library of Australia.
References
- Blaxland, John (2014). The Australian Army from Whitlam to Howard. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107043657.
- 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.
- Kuring, Ian (2004). Redcoats to Cams: A History of Australian Infantry 1788–2001. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military Historical Publications. ISBN 1876439998.
- Lord, Cliff; Tennant, Julian (2000). ANZAC Elite: The Airborne and Special Forces Insignia of Australia and New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: IPL Books. ISBN 0-908876-10-6.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force. A Concise History. Volume 4 Maritime and Transport Units. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42796-5.
Further reading
- Macklin, Robert (2015). Warrior Elite: Australia's Special Forces – From Z Force and the SAS to the Wars of the Future. Sydney, New South Wales: Hachette Australia. ISBN 9780733632914.