Organisation
7 Combat Service Support Battalion (7 CSSB) was formed as an integrated ARA and Reserve Unit on 1 Jul 1997, with the amalgamation of the 6 and 7 Brigade Administrative Support Battalions (BASBs) following the disbanding of the 6th Brigade. Both BASBs only had short histories before they were amalgamated into 7 CSSB. 6 BASB was raised on 17 Mar 1993 in Enoggera, Brisbane, while 7 BAS
B was raised in 1994 at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane. The significant difference between the two units was that while 6 BASB predominantly consisted of full-time soldiers operating under the Ready Reserve Scheme as part of 6th Brigade, 7 BASB remained a General Reserve unit within 7th Brigade, which was at the time a Reserve formation. Both were initially formed by the amalgamation of a number of divisional and brigade units.
6 BASB was formed from the following units:
· 5th Transport Squadron
In 1914, following the outbreak of war in Europe, No. 5 Company Australian Army Service Corps (AASC) was raised at Harding’s Paddock, Enoggera, as one of the sub-units of the 2nd Divisional Train, AASC. This was the beginning of the Unit’s association with Queensland, and in particular, the Enoggera area. During the First World War, No. 5 Coy served in Gallipoli, the Middle East and the European theatres of war. However, after 1921, No. 5 Coy was disbanded and remained off the Order of Battle (ORBAT) until the start of Second World War. The unit was re-raised as the Petrol Company of the 7 Division AASC, while deployed in Syria and was redesignated 5 Company AASC, then in 1941 was renamed the 2/5 Company AASC. The prefix 2/ was only granted to those units that could establish linage to an original unit in the 1st AIF. The unit remained on strength until 1943; however, due to the shortage of personnel and the changing strategic outlook it was subsequently disbanded and its members were used to reinforce operational units. During its relatively short existence the Company provided support to operations in the Middle East and the South West Pacific Area of Operations, including New Guinea. After the war the Unit was re-raised as part of the Interim Army in 1948. Its title at this time was 5 Transport Company RAASC, and it was based at Annerley, Brisbane. In 1960 it was once again disbanded, but this time only until being re-raised in Apr 1966, at Fraser’s Paddock, Enoggera. In May 1966, the Unit moved to Ingleburn, New South Wales, in preparation for deployment to South Vietnam in support of the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF). In 1967, the Unit was deployed to Vung Tau, South Vietnam, as part of 1st Australian Logistic Support Group (1 ALSG), taking over from 1 Company RAASC. The Unit served in South Vietnam for five years, with a total of 350 personnel rotating through it. During this time the Company maintained a zero casualty rate, thus explaining the creation of the motto “SAIF” (Stay Alive in Five). The Company also adopted the turtle as their mascot while in South Vietnam. It is believed that there were two reasons why this animal was chosen. The first comes from the story of the “Turtle and Hare” that represents the Unit’s ability to get the job done with minimal fuss. The second explanation is that the local people gave a turtle to the Company for good luck. In 1972 it returned to Australia, moving to Enoggera where it has remained since then. On 1 Jun 1973, the Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) was formed by the amalgamation of the movements, maritime and terminal elements of the Royal Australian Engineers with the road transport, amphibious, water transport and air dispatch functions of the RAASC. Therefore 5 Company RAASC became titled 5 Transport Company RACT. In 1976 the 1st Divisional Transport Regiment was raised to command the divisional transport assets of the 1st Division. The three Regular Army transport companies—namely the 1st, 5th and 9th—were placed under its command and were subsequently retitled as Transport Squadrons.
5 Tpt Sqn remained an ARA Unit until Mar 1993, when it was opened up to members of the Ready Reserve Scheme. On 1 Jul 1997, in response to continuing Army reviews, both 5 Tpt Sqn and 2 Tpt Sqn amalgamated and became Transport Squadron 7 CSSB, as part of the 7th Task Force, based at Enoggera. Following this amalgamation, the unit changed its name to Transport Company 7 CSSB, before becoming part of the 7 Combat Service Support Company following further reorganisation in 2006.
5th Tpt Sqn is currently the cargo carrying squadron of choice for 7th Brigade units and is poised to lead the introduction of the next generation of cargo vehicles under Land 121.
· 11th Field Ambulance Company
The 11th Field Ambulance was officially raised during the First World War at Mitcham, South Australia, on 1 Mar 1916. After training in England, the Unit moved to France the same year where it served in support of Allied operations. Following its service in Europe the Unit was demobilised in 1919. Between the two world wars the 11th Field Ambulance was re-raised as a Militia Unit. The Unit served with distinction during the Second World War, including during the Battle of El Alamein and the Siege of Tobruk. After its return to Australia in 1942, the Unit served in nearly every major battle in the South West Pacific Area of Operations. These included Milne Bay, Bougainville, New Britain, Tarakan, New Guinea and Borneo. Post war, the 11th Field Ambulance became a unit in the Citizen Military Force, but was disbanded in 1962. In 1967, the 11th Field Ambulance was re-raised at Wacol as a Regular Army Unit to provide Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC) reinforcements to support operations in South Vietnam. The Unit moved to Enoggera in 1971, and following the Australian withdrawal from Vietnam in 1972, it was tasked to support the 6th Task Force. The Unit was integrated with an Army Reserve component in Jun 1986. Part of 6 BASB following its formation in 1993, in 1997 the Unit became part of Medical Company, 7 CSSB. Following further reorganisation in 2006 it became part of Administration Company and was renamed Health Platoon. This sub unit is currently 11 Close Health Company, 1 Close Health Battalion within 17 Combat Service Support Brigade.
· 33rd Field Dental Unit
33rd Dental Unit was raised at Ingleburn, New South Wales on 2 Sep 1957. The Unit was relocated to Puckapunyal, Victoria in 1963.
33rd Dental Unit was the only Royal Australian Army Dental Corps unit to be deployed to South Vietnam with the first section arriving in Bien Hoa on 10 Jun 1965, under the command of CAPT P. The Unit as a whole became fully operational on 27 May 1966 with the unit HQ and D Sect located at 1 ALSG, Vung Tau. A section was also located with HQ 1 ATF, based at Nui Dat, while B and C Sections were also located at Nui Dat with the two infantry battalions. In addition to treating Australian troops, the Unit was also involved in civil aid work for the local population of South Vietnam. This activity was coordinated under the Australian Civil Affairs Program, and was known as the Dent-cap program. With reduced involvement in South Vietnam, all but one section of the unit was withdrawn to Australia in November 1971 and relocated to Enoggera. The remaining section, under command of CAPT Rowell, returned home in April 1972. In 1977, 33rd Dental Unit amalgamated with the 16th and 35th Dental Units to become the 1st Divisional Dental Unit. Consequently, the sub-units were re-titled as Treatment Sections. 1st Divisional Dental Unit reformed to become 1st Divisional Dental Services in November 1986 and changed its title to 33rd Field Dental Unit. Part of 6 BASB following its formation in 1993, in 1997 it became part of Medical Company, 7 CSSB. Following further reorganisation in 2006 it became part of Administration Company, and was renamed Dental Platoon. All field dental units are now within 17 Combat Service Support Brigade.
· 6th Field Supply Company
The 6th Ordnance Field Park was to be raised at Gaythorne, Queensland, in Nov 1965, initially under command of 1st Base Ordnance Depot (BOD) until it achieved operational readiness on 1 Sep 1966. However, in May 1966, HQ Northern Command was directed by Army Headquarters Canberra to bring 6th Ordnance Field Park to a state of operational readiness and it was to be placed under command of 6th Task Force no later than 30 Jun 1966. On 17 Jun 1977, 6th Field Supply Company was established to provide divisional supply to a task force-sized formation. The unit was formed from the personnel and equipment of the disestablished 6th Ordnance Field Park. In order to meet its support commitments for a formation in a limited setting, the Unit regained its own transport to carry stores into the field. The 6th Field Supply Company, as a divisional supply unit, came under command of the newly raised Headquarters 1st Divisional Supply. The unit was allocated in support of 6th Task Force (as were other service units supporting 6th Task Force) and became under command 6th Task Force for local administration. In 1992, the 52nd Combat Supply Platoon came under command and was co-located within the Company location. The first Ready Reserve soldiers also arrived in both units at this time. Both units formed part of 6 BASB following its formation in 1993.
· 52nd Combat Supply Platoon
52nd Combat Supply Platoon was originally raised as 52nd Supplies Platoon, a CMF (Reserve) Unit on 29 Mar 1960. In 1967, the Platoon was designated as an ARA Unit of RAASC. In November of the same year a detachment of 12 men was sent to serve in South Vietnam, while the remainder of the Unit stayed in Australia under the command of 1st Supplies Depot. A detachment remained in South Vietnam until May 1973, when the 52n
