ArMy PreSence in South AuStrAliA - Defence SA

Army reserve
148. The Army Reserve has a large presence in
South Australia comprising 7.2% of the total
organisation. More significantly, at the end
of 2012 it will form 42% of the total Army
presence in the State. Formed into the 9th
Brigade it comprises a Headquarters and
several major armour, artillery, engineers,
signals and infantry units. It is primarily
based in the historic Keswick Barracks
but has sub-units in locations across
Adelaide and throughout the State.
149. Under Plan Beersheba, it is now linked with
1st Brigade and as well as providing a
capability to respond to natural disasters
within South Australia, in conjunction with the
Victoria based Army Reserve 4th Brigade, it
must also contribute to a Reserve Battle Group
every three years. In line with the expanding
role of the Reserve, the 9th Brigade has
recently deployed a significant contingent
to the Solomon Islands.
2012
150. While a long standing and important part of
the Army presence in South Australia, the
Army Reserve has not always necessarily
gained the recognition this presence deserves.
It is likely that as the Defence State, the State
could do more to support the Army Reserve
organisation and the part-time soldiers and
their families that form its core.
Recommendation 9
Defence SA promotes the Army Reserve
elements based in South Australia.
A M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from the 1st Armoured Regiment fires at targets from alongside a gun line of 155mm M198 Howitzers from
8th/12th Regiment for a heavy battle group activity at the Cultana Training Area, South Australia during Exercise Southern Reach in 2007.
Army Presence in South Australia Maintaining the Momentum 56