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Specialised unit of the Australian Army
Military unit
The
Special Operations Logistic Squadron
(SOLS) is an independent and specialised unit of the
Australian Army
based in
Sydney
which provides specialist
logistical support
to all units of the
Special Operations Command
in support of
special operations
.
[1]
It has developed a "jack of all trades" capability across
military logistics
including
rapid prototyping
and
metal fabrication
.
[2]
History
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The Special Operations Logistics Squadron (SOLS) was originally established as the
Special Operations Combat Service Support Company
(SOCSSC) in July 2003, as part of the newly created
Special Operations Command
, to provide second and selected third line support to special forces units.
[3]
The company was re-designated as the Special Operations Logistic Squadron in 2007.
[1]
Role
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The Special Operations Logistics Squadron is staffed by 100 full-time personnel and about 20
reservists
and is the only unit responsible for providing logistical support to the
Special Operations Command
in all theatres of operations around the world. As such SOLS is the only independent logistic unit within the
Australian Army
and its personnel are trained by the
Army Logistic Training Centre
and come from the
Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
,
Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
, or
Royal Australian Corps of Transport
.
[1]
Whilst SOLS officers and logisticians are not special forces personnel, they are required to conduct their role in arduous conditions, remote locations, and in isolated and hostile settings. As such, SOLS officers and logisticians are expected to maintain a skill set wider than that normally expected of those found within the wider
Australian Army
. SOLS is also responsible for training its own personnel in specialist logistics support.
[2]
Alongside the
Special Operations Engineer Regiment
, the Special Operations Logistics Squadron provides support to the
Special Air Service Regiment
and the
2nd Commando Regiment
of the
Special Operations Command
in counterterrorism operations with the
Tactical Assault Groups
and in operations overseas including most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Special Operations Logistics Squadron has also deployed in humanitarian aid within the Asia-Pacific region.
References
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