Special Forces Group (Australia)

Special Forces Group (SFG) is an Australian Army formation command that forms part of the Special Operations Command (SOCOMD). The group is a brigade-level formation that commands all of the units assigned to Special Operations Command.^[2][1] The Special Forces Group reports to the Special Operations Command.^[2]

Special Forces Group
Active	December 2015 - present[1]
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Headquarters
Size	Brigade
Part of	Special Operations Command

In October 2015, the Chief of Army's Senior Advisory Committee (CASAC) recommended as part of a review of SOCOMD that a formation command be established within SOCOMD responsible for the command and control of SOCOMD units.^[3] The Special Forces Group was subsequently established in December 2015.^[1][4]

Brigadier Craig Shortt was appointed Commander Special Forces Group (COMO SFG) in December 2018.^[5]

Structure

As of 2020, the Special Forces Group comprised the following units:^[2]

• Headquarters, Special Forces Group
  • Special Air Service Regiment (Campbell Barracks, WA)
  • 1st Commando Regiment (HQ at Randwick Barracks, NSW)
  • 2nd Commando Regiment (Holsworthy Barracks, NSW)
  • Special Operations Engineer Regiment (Holsworthy Barracks, NSW)
  • Special Operations Logistics Squadron (Banksmeadow, NSW)
  • Defence Special Operations Training and Education Centre (Holsworthy, NSW)
    • Australian Defence Force School of Special Operations (Holsworthy, NSW)
    • Australian Defence Force Parachuting School (HMAS Albatross, NSW)

The Special Forces Group is supported by the 6th Aviation Regiment from the 16th Aviation Brigade.^[2][6] The 6th Aviation Regiment is under the operational command of SOCOMD for "directed special operations tasking".^[7]