1st Commando Regiment

1st Commando Regiment
Unit name	1st Commando Regiment
Dates	1955–present
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Special forces
Role	Special operations
Command structure	2nd Commando Regiment; Special Operations Command

1st Commando Regiment is an Australian Army unit with a commando role formed from post‑World War II commando traditions and Citizens Military Force lineage. The regiment provides Army Reserve special operations capability and contributes personnel to national and coalition missions alongside units such as Special Air Service Regiment, 2nd Commando Regiment, SASR, Australian Defence Force, and international partners like United States Special Operations Command, British Special Air Service, and New Zealand Special Air Service. Its history links to wartime formations including the Z Special Unit, 2/1st Independent Company, 2/2nd Independent Company, and wartime campaigns in the Pacific War and New Guinea campaign.

History

The regiment traces heritage from World War II Australian commando and independent companies such as the 2/2nd Independent Company and Z Special Unit, whose operations overlapped with actions in the Borneo campaign (1945), Timor campaign of 1942–43, and raids linked to the Pacific War. Postwar reorganisation saw the establishment of commando and parachute elements in the Citizen Military Forces and Australian Army Reserve during the Cold War, influenced by doctrines from the United Kingdom Special Forces, United States Army Rangers, and lessons from the Korean War. The unit evolved through formation of commando companies in the 1950s and 1960s, participating in domestic readiness alongside formations such as the 1st Commando Company, 2nd Commando Company (Australia), and later amalgamation into a regimental structure reflecting trends set by the Special Air Service Regiment (Australia) and allied commandos.

Organisation and structure

The regiment operates as a reserve commando regiment within the Australian Army and is administratively associated with Special Operations Command (Australia), cooperating with regular units like the 2nd Commando Regiment and the Special Air Service Regiment. Subordinate elements historically include multiple commando companies and support squadrons aligned to brigade and division level structures such as the 1st Division (Australia). Command relationships have involved liaison with the Australian Army Reserve, Forces Command (Australia), and joint task groups operating under the authority of the Chief of Army (Australia) and the Chief of the Defence Force (Australia).

Roles and capabilities

The regiment provides direct action, reconnaissance, counter‑terrorism support, and training augmentation to regular special forces. Capabilities mirror those employed by units like the British Army Commando, United States Navy SEALs, and French Commandos Marine, including small‑unit tactics, airborne insertion, amphibious operations, and special reconnaissance. The unit contributes to national resilience activities involving coordination with agencies such as the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, and civil emergency organisations during domestic crises and national security tasks.

Training and selection

Selection and training pathways draw on doctrines from the British Special Air Service selection, United States Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection, and Australian training institutions like the Land Warfare Centre (Australia), Special Operations Training Centre (Australia), and the Army Recruit Training Centre. Candidates undertake demanding selection including navigation exercises, endurance marches, amphibious training, airborne qualification through the Royal Australian Air Force Parachuting School, and close quarters battle instruction paralleled in curricula used by Joint Personnel Recovery Agency and other coalition training bodies. Reservists maintain currency via courses such as the Combat Diver Training Course, joint exercises with the United States Special Forces Command (South) and participation in multinational exercises like Exercise Pitch Black, Exercise Talisman Sabre, and Exercise Pitch Black (Australian).

Equipment and weapons

The regiment's equipment set aligns with Australian Defence Force special operations inventory and includes small arms common to units such as the Special Air Service Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment: variants of the F88 Austeyr, SR‑25, HK416, and sidearms like the SIG Sauer P226 and Glock pistol. Support weapons mirror those used by the Australian Army including machine guns (such as the M240 machine gun), sniper systems akin to the L115A3 sniper rifle, and explosives and breaching tools consistent with standards in United Kingdom Special Forces. Mobility platforms encompass tactical vehicles comparable to the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, maritime craft used by Royal Australian Navy commando elements, and aviation support from the Royal Australian Air Force helicopters.

Operations and deployments

Members have deployed individually and in sub‑unit roles on operations alongside regular special forces to theatres where Australian special operations have operated, including deployments supporting multinational efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and regional security tasks in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. The regiment has contributed to domestic security and counter‑terrorism responses, multi‑agency disaster relief efforts following events such as major cyclones and floods, and to peacekeeping and training missions in cooperation with forces from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Timor‑Leste, and Solomon Islands.

Insignia and traditions

The regiment maintains traditions stemming from World War II commando units and commemorates battle honours associated with campaigns in the Pacific War and Borneo campaign (1945). Insignia and emblems share symbolism with allied commando forces like the Special Air Service Regiment (United Kingdom), reflecting airborne wings, commando daggers, and unit colours that honour historical predecessors including the Z Special Unit and independent companies. Ceremonial links extend to commemorations observed on dates associated with wartime raids and to affiliations with veteran organisations such as the Returned and Services League of Australia.

Category:Special forces of Australia Category:Military units and formations established in 1955