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After being retasked by the directive of a 2000 defence department
report investigating Australia's SF capabilities and
responsibilities the 1st Commando Regiment, as well as its parent
unit 4RAR (Commando), have been tasked with counterterrorism and is
able to field Recon, and sniper units. The selection and training is
identical to that of 4RAR and is run jointly with them at the
Special Forces Training Centre at Singleton NSW.
The Unit headquarters is located in Randwick,
NSW. 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo Coy) is located
in Mosman, NSW. 2 Cdo Coy is located in the historic Fort Gellibrand
at Williamstown, VIC. 301 Signal Squadron (301 Sig Sqn) has its
headquarters at Randwick and elements of the squadron are located in
Sydney and Melbourne with each Cdo Coy. 1 Cdo Regt is organised
similarly to 4 Royal Australian Regiment (Cdo) (4 RAR (Cdo)), which
is a regular Commando unit also serving in SOCOMD. The commando
companies are made up of a headquarters, two commando platoons, a
reconnaissance platoon, a training platoon and integral combat
service support elements.
Specialist
equipment
1 Cdo Regt is equipped with similar equipment
to that of 4 RAR (Cdo), including small arms and support weapon
systems, inflatable boats and other small craft and unique
communications systems. The unit is equipped with the M4 family of
weapons, as used by the SASR and 4 RAR (Cdo).
Reserve Service
1 Cdo Regt is SOCOMDs only Reserve unit. As
such it fills a unique role in providing a surge capacity to the
Commando capability. Members of 1 Cdo Regt include lawyers, airline
pilots, police officers, intelligence officers, teachers, businessmen, students
and numerous other professions. This wide range of occupations
provides for a close relationship between the Unit, local community
and industry, and for a unique ability for SOCOM to draw on such
professionals. All members have undergone the same training as
required for 4RAR before being beret qualified.
History
After WW2, the Army disbanded the
M and Z Force and the Independent Companies that made up Australia’s
first Special Forces units. During the 1950’s it was found necessary
to maintain the techniques and skills developed by these units. As a
result two Reserve Commando companies were raised, 2 Commando
Company (2 Cdo Coy) in February 1955 and 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo
Coy) in June 1955. These companies operated independently, training
reserve and regular commandos and maintaining the skill-set.
Several members of these companies
went on to assist in and man the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR)
when it was raised. In February 1981 it was decided to raise a
headquarters to coordinate, command and control these companies and
to provide the ability to round-out and augment staff at Special
Operations Headquarters (SOHQ). 1 Cdo Regt provided training teams
to assist in raising and training 4 RAR (Cdo) in commando skills.
In 1961, 301 Signal Squadron (301
Sig Sqn) was raised to provide specialist communications in support
of 1 Cdo Regt. This role was then adopted by 126 Sig Sqn until June
2002 when 301 Sig Sqn was re-raised to carry out its previous role
in support of the Regiment.
Today the 1st Commando Regiment is
part of the Special Operations Command. It's members often rotate
with 4RAR and contribute to national security by both their unique
relationship with TAG-East and in their capacity as the Reservist
Ready Response Force.
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