Special Operations Command (Australia)

The Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is a command within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Special Operations Command was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces units. As of 2007, Special Operations Command was fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command is of equivalent status to Australia's Maritime, Land and Air Commands. All of its constituent units are drawn from the Australian Army. It is modelled on the equivalent commands in the United States and British militaries.

History

A Special Operations Task Group patrol in Afghanistan in October 2009

• East Timor (May 2006–)
• Security for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne (March 2006)
• Afghanistan (2001– )
• Iraq (2003–2009)
• 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 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.

Structure

Order of battle

Soldiers from Special Operations Command during a media demonstration in May 2003

Special Operations Headquarters or SOHQ (Canberra and Sydney)

• Units under direct control of SOHQ:
  • Special Operations Logistics Squadron (Sydney)
  • Special Forces Training Centre (Singleton, NSW) - established on 1 December 1998 to conduct selection courses for the SASR, 1st Commando Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment.
  • 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 (existence has never been publicly acknowledged)
  • 152 Signals Squadron
  • Base Squadron
  • Training Squadron
• 1st Commando Regiment a mixed Regular Army and (Army Reserve) Unit (Sydney)
  • 1 Commando Company (Sydney)
  • 2 Commando Company (Williamstown, VIC)
  • 301 Signals Squadron (elements in both Sydney and Melbourne with the commando companies)
• 2nd Commando 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
• Special Operations Engineer Regiment (Sydney, NSW)
  • A Squadron
  • B Squadron
  • Logistic Support Troop

Special Operations Commander Australia (SOCAUST)

The following have held the position of Special Operations Commander Australia, with the ranks and honours as at the completion of their tenure:

Rank	Name	Post-nominals	Term began	Term ended	Time in appointment	Notes
Major General	Duncan Lewis	DSC, CSC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,	May 2002	October 2004
Major General	Mike Hindmarsh	AO, CSC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,	October 2004	February 2008
Major General	Tim McOwan	DSC, CSM, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,	February 2008	January 2011
Major General	Gus Gilmore	AO, DSC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,	January 2011	September 2013
Brigadier	Daniel McDaniel	DSC, DSM, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,	September 2013	December 2014
Major General	Jeff Sengelman	DSC, AM, CSC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,	December 2014	incumbent

See also

• Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
• Commandement des Opérations Spéciales (France)
• Special Operations Command (New Zealand)
• United States Special Operations Command
• United Kingdom Special Forces

External links

• Australian special forces in Afghanistan – September 2006