From Daily Escape

The Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is a command within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Special Operations Command was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces units. At present, only the Army, and Navy have special operations units, though it is rumoured that the Air Force has a flight of Special Operations equipped Hercules. It will be fully operational when a range of enhancement programs are completed in 2007.

Order of Battle

• Special Operations Headquarters or SOHQ
  • Australian Special Air Service Regiment
  • Special Air Service of New Zealand
  • 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
  • 1st Commando Regiment (Australia)
  • 171st Aviation Squadron (Australia)
  • Incident Response Regiment
  • Clearance Diving Team One
  • Clearance Diving Team Four
  • Clearance Diving Team Three

Though amalgamation of the SASR, and NZ SAS was proposed many times, it was resisted fiercely by Parliamentarians, ex-serviceman's groups, the military itself, and the media. Some amalgamation was accomplished, however, with all prospective members serving the same selection course (it was said the the worst, and most difficult elements of each course were combined!), and able to transfer between one and the other. This has improved the SAS Officer corps since a junior officer only serves 2 three/four year tour with an SAS unit. After this tour, officers used to rotate back to line infantry battalions, now officers may transfer to the other SAS unit.

Tactical Assault Groups

The Tactical Assault Groups are the premier counter-terrorism units of Australia. The three TAGs, East, West, and Pacific, are structured to conduct offensive domestic counter-terrorist (CT) operations focusing on incident resolution and the recovery of hostages. They maintain a short notice capability to conduct military operations beyond the scope of State and Federal Police tactical teams. These aims are achieved through various highly specialised skill sets, niche capabilities and supporting Australian Defence Force (ADF) units.

The three units: TAG West, TAG East, and TAG Pacific; each protect a different domestic geographical area, with TAG (West) having the primary task of Overseas Recovery/Counter-Terrorism . The units draw their members from other elite units within the Australian Defence Force, with each TAG unit drawing from different parent units.

They form part of a National Counter Terrorist Operations plan which coordinates State, Territory, and Federal Police with the Australian Defence Force

TAG East is formed from 4RAR, TAG West is formed from the SASR, and TAG Pacific is formed from the NZ SAS.