Active May 2002 – Present Branch Australian Army | Country Australia Type Special Forces | |
Role Counter-Terrorism, Counter-CBRNE and Engineer support to Special Operations Motto(s) Inter Hastas Et Hostes ("Between Spears and Enemies") | ||
The Special Operations Engineer Regiment (SOER) is a specialised unit of the Australian Army. The Regiment forms part of the Special Operations Command. The unit was formed in 2002 as the Incident Response Regiment (IRR), they are deployed to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive incidents. In 2010 and 2011 its role changed to supporting the army's special forces units, and it was renamed accordingly.
History
The Special Operations Engineer Regiment (SOER) can trace its history to a number of specialist Royal Australian Engineers organisations. The Emergency Response Squadron was initially formed in 1999 from the existing Army Fire Service in response to the 1996 Blackhawk Helicopter disaster in the Townsville High Range training area. The Chemical, Biological and Radiological Response (CBRR) Squadron was formed in 1999 by expanding the existing Chemical Radiological Response Team.
In 1999, the Joint Incident Response Unit (JIRU) was established as part of the Australian Defence Force's security arrangements for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. The JIRU incorporated the CBRR Squadron, and EOD Squadron and also included a High Risk Search Squadron. When the JIRU was disbanded in March 2001 the CBRR Squadron was retained as an independent squadron.
Following the 11 September terrorist attacks the Australian Government decided to expand the CBRR Squadron which developed into the Incident Response Unit (IRU). The IRU redesignated to form the Incident Response Regiment in May 2002. This involved the Emergency Response Squadron(ERS) joining the Regiment, though this sub-unit was disbanded in 2006. A specialist Scientific and Technical Support Organisation staffed by civilian and military scientists was also formed and attached to the IRR.
Elements of the IRR have seen combat in Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper.
On 24 February 2012, the IRR was disbanded and re-raised as the SOER. The reason for this change signified a more accurate name for the Regiment's current role. The primary role of the Regiment is no longer to respond to crisis management, but rather to provide counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or Explosive (C-CBRNE) and Mobility and Survivability capabilities to Special Operations.
Like that of the IRR, teams of SOER personnel are integrated into the Australian Army's tactical assault groups to maintain Australia's Domestic Counter Terrorism capabilities, whilst still supporting Special Operations in Afghanistan. The Regiment also includes an aviation emergency response section which provides emergency rescue services to Special Operations Command and the remainder of the Army.