Special Operations Component Command provides command and oversight of the
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF; mi, Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa, "Line of Defence of New Zealand") are the armed forces of New Zealand. The NZDF is responsible for the protection of the national security of New Zealand and her Realm of New Z ...
's special forces unit, the
1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment
The 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment, abbreviated as 1 NZSAS Regt, was formed on 7 July 1955 and is the Special forces unit of the New Zealand Army, closely modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS). It traces its origins to ...
, and reports to the
Commander Joint Forces New Zealand
The Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (COMJFNZ) is a senior appointment in the New Zealand Defence Force, responsible for the command of Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand. The COMJFNZ is, in effect, the operational commander of all joint opera ...
for operations. Led by a Colonel (Special Operations Component Commander, SOCC). It was initially established in 2008 as the Directorate of Special Operations, and had its role expanded when it was re designated Special Operations Component Command on 1 July 2015.
History and role
On 25 August 2008 the Directorate of Special Operations was established as an element of the Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force. The NZDF's website states that the role of the directorate was to "reduce the operational and strategic burden" on the commander of the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS), and that the directorate provided a "strategic-level special operations headquarters".
The Directorate of Special Operations was renamed the Special Operations Component Command on 1 July 2015.
This change in designation was accompanied by a significant expansion of the unit's role, with the SOCC becoming equivalent to the NZDF's Maritime, Land and Air Component Commanders. The SOCC reports to the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand for operations, and the
Chief of the Defence Force and
Chief of Army for other functions. The 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment also reports directly to the SOCC. The SOC maintains a Special Operations Liaison Element in Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand, and is responsible for the NZDF's counter-
improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. It may be constructed of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery shell, attached to a detonating mecha ...
capabilities.
See also
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Special Operations Command (Australia)
The Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is an Australian Defence Force command that was established on 5 May 2003 to unite all of the Australian Army's special forces units and by 2008 was fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command ...
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United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM) is the unified combatant command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force of the United States A ...
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United Kingdom Special Forces
The United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) is a directorate comprising the Special Air Service, the Special Boat Service, the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, the Special Forces Support Group, 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment and the Joint Special Forces ...
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Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM; french: links=no, Commandement des Forces d'opérations spéciales du Canada; COMFOSCAN) is a command of the Canadian Armed Forces. It is responsible for all special forces operations that are ...
References
{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2017
Special forces of New Zealand
Military units and formations established in 2008
2008 establishments in New Zealand