The Pilbara Regiment is an

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and marine i ...

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...

of the

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 ...

and is one of three

Regional Force Surveillance Units The Regional Force Surveillance Units (RFSUs) are specialised infantry units of the Australian Army Reserve responsible for patrolling northern Australia. Collectively, the RFSUs form the Regional Force Surveillance Group commanded by a Colone ...

employed in surveillance and reconnaissance of the remote areas of northern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. Most elements of the regiment are stationed in the

Pilbara The Pilbara () is a large, dry, thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal peoples; its ancient landscapes; the red earth; and its vast mineral deposits, in particular iron ore. It is also a glo ...

region of north-west Australia.

History

In the late 1970s and early 1980s the need for a military presence in the north was recognised, with an integrated land, sea and air surveillance network developed in response. Part of this involved the raising of reserve infantry units that would act as "eyes and ears" in the north. The Pilbara Regiment was raised for operations in the

region of north-west Australia, whilst others were raised in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland.Kuring 2004, p. 390. The regiment was originally formed as a

company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of people, whether Natural person, natural, Legal person, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common p ...

on 26 January 1982, as the 5th Independent Rifle Company, The Pilbara Regiment, under Major David Hudson. It was subsequently redesignated as a full regiment in 1985. Today the regiment's mission is: "To provide the Australian Army with information by conducting surveillance operations to contribute to an effective Australian Defence Force surveillance network in the North West of Australia (Pilbara Region)". It is responsible for an area of 1.5 million square kilometres from

Port Hedland A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Ham ...

to Geraldton in

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

, and from the coast to the border with the

Northern Territory The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory ...

; being approximately one-sixth of the total Australia mass. A detailed knowledge of its Area of Operations is maintained by conducting

reconnaissance In military operations, reconnaissance or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, terrain, and other activities. Examples of reconnaissance include patrolling by troops (skirmisher ...

patrols by foot, vehicle and watercraft;

surveillance Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, many activities, or information for the purpose of information gathering, influencing, managing or directing. This can include observation from a distance by means of electronic equipment, such as c ...

from static observation posts; and by systematic communication and liaison with police, customs, other regional authorities, and with local landowners. On 1 March 2010, Pilbara Regiment became part of the re-raised 6th Brigade. On 4 October 2018, all three RFSUs were grouped together as part of a new formation headquarters, the

Regional Force Surveillance Group The Regional Force Surveillance Group (RFSG) was formally established on 4 October 2018 to command the Australian Army Reserve's three Regional Force Surveillance Units and a training unit. The RFSG forms part of the 2nd Division. The RFSG is ...

. The new formation came into being at a parade held at

Larrakeyah Barracks Larrakeyah Barracks, incorporating , is the main base for the Australian Defence Force in the Northern Territory of Australia, and occupies the headland west of the suburb of Larrakeyah in the capital, Darwin. It was established in 1932–33, ...

in Darwin.

Current organisation

As at 2017, The Pilbara Regiment comprises three squadrons, a regimental headquarters and two support squadrons. The regiment's sub-units are: *Regimental Headquarters *1 Squadron *2 Squadron *3 Squadron *Training Support Squadron *Operational Support Squadron The Regimental Headquarters is located in the town of Karratha and most other elements of the regiment are spread across the Pilbara region. 3 Squadron is located in

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

.Pilbara Regiment (2012), p. 14

Notes

References

* * {{Australian Infantry Infantry regiments of Australia Military units and formations established in 1982 1982 establishments in Australia Indigenous Australians in the military Army reconnaissance units and formations Military Units in Western Australia Pilbara

History

Current organisation

See also

Notes

References