6th Engineer Support Regiment (Australia)

The 6th Engineer Support Regiment (6 ESR) is a specialised engineer regiment of the Australian Army. Established in early 2003, the regiment was formed by grouping several previously independent engineer squadrons – each providing different engineer support functions – together under a single headquarters. Headquartered at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, the regiment's sub-units are also based in Queensland.

6th Engineer Support Regiment
Active	2003–present
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Role	Engineer support
Size	~ 450 personnel
Part of	6th Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Zabul Lines, Amberley, Queensland
Motto(s)	With Strength and Precision
Engagements	War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Commanders
Current commander	LTCOL Matt Dobney
Insignia
Unit colour patch

History

The regiment was formed on 13 January 2003, in order to serve as the administrative headquarters for a number of squadron-level subunits, which had previously been independent.^[1]

Attached to the 6th Brigade, the regiment's subunits – the 17th and 21st Construction Squadrons, the 1st Topographical Survey Squadron and the 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron – were spread across three different locations: Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera; RAAF Base Amberley in Amberley; and Holsworthy Barracks in Holsworthy. These subunits are supported by a fifth subunit, the Operational Support Squadron.^[2]

By virtue of the regiment's function, the majority of its 600 personnel are regular soldiers drawn from the Royal Australian Engineers,^[1] although various other corps provide administration clerks, drivers, mechanics and quartermasters. Personnel from the regiment have undertaken numerous deployments since its establishment, and the regiment provided the headquarters element for Reconstruction Task Force 4, which deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 as part of Operation Slipper.^[2]

The 1st Topographical Survey Squadron was reassigned to the 1st Intelligence Battalion.^[3] The 17th Construction Squadron relocated to RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland from Holsworthy Barracks in New South Wales.^[4]

Structure

The regiment consists of the following units:^[3][4]

Amberley

• Regimental Headquarters
• 17th Construction Squadron
• 21st Construction Squadron
• Operational Support Squadron
• 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron

References

1. "6th Engineer Support Regiment". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012.
2. Bree, Cpl Max (19 July 2012). "Engineers enter Zabul Lines" (PDF). Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper. No. 1286. Canberra: Department of Defence. p. 9. ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
3. "6th Engineer Support Regiment". Australian Army. 14 December 2016. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
4. Department of Defence (March 2015). 17th Construction Squadron Relocation Infrastructure Project – RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland – Statement of Evidence (Report). Canberra. Retrieved 12 January 2020.

Further reading

• Connery, David; Cran, David; Evered, David (2012). Conducting Counterinsurgency – Reconstruction Task Force 4 in Afghanistan. Newport, New South Wales: Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 9781921941771.