7th Combat Service Support Battalion (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The 7th Combat Service Support Battalion (7 CSSB) is an Australian Army
administration and logistics battalion
which provides transport, supply, catering, maintenance and health support services to combat units of the 7th Brigade. The battalion is made up of both Regular and Reserve
personnel and has recently been involved in deployments to Timor Leste and Afghanistan
.
-based 7th Brigade Administrative Support Battalion (7 BASB), a Reserve unit that had been formed in 1994, was amalgamated with the Enoggera-based 6th Brigade Administrative Support Battalion (6 BASB), an integrated Regular and Reserve unit that had been formed in 1993. This came about as a result of the decision to disband the 6th Brigade
, which resulted in 7th Brigade becoming an integrated Regular and Reserve unit. By 1999, the battalion had an authorised strength of 647 personnel, of which 55 per cent were Reservists.
(6 RAR)-based Australian Battalion IX (AUSBAT 9) deployment to Timor Leste as part of Operation Citadel. They returned to Brisbane in mid-June 2004. When the 7th Brigade was reorganised in 2007 as a primarily Regular motorised brigade, although major Reserve elements were transferred to the 11th Brigade
, 7 CSSB continued to maintain a small Reserve element.
In 2010, elements of the battalion were deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper
. While the majority of the battalion's force was part of the Force Support Unit based in Tarin Kowt
, Kandahar
and Al Minhad Air Base
, elements also deployed in support of the 6 RAR-based 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1) combined arms battle group
that was deployed to Uruzgan province to conduct counter-insurgency
operations.
, Enoggera
, in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, the battalion is staffed by both Regular and Reserve
personnel from various service support corps
of the Army including the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps
, Royal Australian Army Dental Corps
, Royal Australian Corps of Transport
, Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
, Australian Army Catering Corps
and the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
. The battalion is tasked with providing "formation line" combat service support to 7th Brigade units in order to enable the formation to undertake motorised operations within Australia and overseas.
The battalion is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jason Walk and consists of a number of company
-sized sub units, which can be detached to provide support at various levels. Some Reserve elements of the battalion are based in Toowoomba.
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. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
administration and logistics battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
which provides transport, supply, catering, maintenance and health support services to combat units of the 7th Brigade. The battalion is made up of both Regular and Reserve
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
personnel and has recently been involved in deployments to Timor Leste and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
Formation
7 CSSB was formed on 1 July 1997 when the Kelvin GroveKelvin Grove, Queensland
Kelvin Grove is an inner northern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia located approximately 3 km from the CBD. This hilly suburb takes its name from Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, Scotland. It is primarily residential with tree-lined streets and some commercial and light industrial...
-based 7th Brigade Administrative Support Battalion (7 BASB), a Reserve unit that had been formed in 1994, was amalgamated with the Enoggera-based 6th Brigade Administrative Support Battalion (6 BASB), an integrated Regular and Reserve unit that had been formed in 1993. This came about as a result of the decision to disband the 6th Brigade
6th Brigade (Australia)
The 6th Brigade is an Australian Army brigade. First formed during the First World War as an infantry unit of the Australian Imperial Force, the brigade served at Gallipoli and in France and Belgium on the Western Front...
, which resulted in 7th Brigade becoming an integrated Regular and Reserve unit. By 1999, the battalion had an authorised strength of 647 personnel, of which 55 per cent were Reservists.
Operational experience
In late 2003, 7 CSSB supported the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6 June 1965 and has since then served in a number of overseas deployments and conflicts including South Vietnam, East Timor and Iraq...
(6 RAR)-based Australian Battalion IX (AUSBAT 9) deployment to Timor Leste as part of Operation Citadel. They returned to Brisbane in mid-June 2004. When the 7th Brigade was reorganised in 2007 as a primarily Regular motorised brigade, although major Reserve elements were transferred to the 11th Brigade
11th Brigade (Australia)
The Australian 11th Brigade is an Australian Army brigade which currently comprises most Australian Army Reserve units located in Queensland. The Brigade was first formed in early 1916 as part of the 3rd Division and saw action during World War I and World War II.-Brigade Structure:*Headquarters...
, 7 CSSB continued to maintain a small Reserve element.
In 2010, elements of the battalion were deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper
Operation Slipper
Operation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The operation commenced in late 2001 and is ongoing...
. While the majority of the battalion's force was part of the Force Support Unit based in Tarin Kowt
Tarin Kowt
Tarinkot or Tarin Kowt is the capital of Orūzgān province in southern Afghanistan in Tarin Kowt District. It is a town of about 10,000 people, with some 200 small shops in the city's bazaar...
, Kandahar
Kandahar
Kandahar is the second largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of about 512,200 as of 2011. It is the capital of Kandahar Province, located in the south of the country at about 1,005 m above sea level...
and Al Minhad Air Base
Al Minhad Air Base
Al Minhad Air Base is a military installation in the United Arab Emirates. The base is located approximately south of Dubai and is operated by the United Arab Emirates Air Force.-Facilities:The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level...
, elements also deployed in support of the 6 RAR-based 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1) combined arms battle group
Battlegroup (army)
A battlegroup , or task force in modern military theory, is the basic building block of an army's fighting force. A battlegroup is formed around an infantry battalion or armoured regiment, which is usually commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel...
that was deployed to Uruzgan province to conduct counter-insurgency
Counter-insurgency
A counter-insurgency or counterinsurgency involves actions taken by the recognized government of a nation to contain or quell an insurgency taken up against it...
operations.
Current role and structure
Based primarily at Gallipoli BarracksEnoggera Barracks
Enoggera Barracks is an Australian Army base in the northwestern Brisbane suburb of Enoggera in Queensland.-History:...
, Enoggera
Enoggera, Queensland
Enoggera is a suburb of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. The suburb is located 6 km north-west of the Brisbane CBD.-History:In 1845 John Brennan purchased six hectares of land in Enoggera. Six years later, Thomas Hayes moved to the area and bought thirty-three acres of land...
, in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, the battalion is staffed by both Regular and Reserve
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
personnel from various service support corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
of the Army including the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps
Royal Australian Army Medical Corps
The Royal Australian Army Medical Corps is the branch of the Australian Army responsible for providing medical care to Army personnel. The AAMC was formed in 1902 and has participated in every Australian Army operation...
, Royal Australian Army Dental Corps
Royal Australian Army Dental Corps
The Royal Australian Army Dental Corps is a corps within the Australian Army. It was formed on 23 April 1943 during World War II as the Australian Army Dental Corps, before being granted the 'Royal' prefix in 1948. Prior to its formation dentists were part of the Australian Army Medical Corps...
, Royal Australian Corps of Transport
Royal Australian Corps of Transport
The Royal Australian Corps of Transport is a corps within the Australian Army. It was formed in 1973 and is responsible for the operation of army surface transport assets.-Role:...
, Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
The Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps is the Corps within the Australian Army concerned with supply and administration, as well as the demolition and disposal of explosives and salvage of battle-damaged equipment...
, Australian Army Catering Corps
Australian Army Catering Corps
The Australian Army Catering Corps is the corps within the Australian Army that is responsible for preparing and serving of meals. The Corps includes two trades, Chef and Operator Catering . The motto of the corps is 'We sustain'...
and the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
The Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the Australian Army that has responsibility for the maintenance and recovery of all land electrical and mechanical equipment...
. The battalion is tasked with providing "formation line" combat service support to 7th Brigade units in order to enable the formation to undertake motorised operations within Australia and overseas.
The battalion is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jason Walk and consists of a number of company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
-sized sub units, which can be detached to provide support at various levels. Some Reserve elements of the battalion are based in Toowoomba.