OFFICIAL Commando News Magazine Edition 15 2023

efforts on providing critical support to the more remote
and isolated areas of the Sydney basin, particularly
throughout Sydney’s north-west and the upper-
Hawkesbury region, where some houses remained cutoff
by high water levels or from damage to the roads
for weeks. The use of helicopters, all-terrain vehicles
and small boats enabled the SBTG to access isolated
areas and provide much needed life support to the cutoff
communities. These specialist platforms inherent to
1 st and 2 nd Commando Regiments proved crucial during
these initial phases of the operation and demonstrated
the flexibility of a SOCOMD-led force element to
respond to a multitude of situations with a bias for
action.
Once the flood water had receded, the SBTG
transitioned to assist the local emergency services with
clean-up tasks around Sydney. SOCOMD provided
personnel and specialist engineering equipment, such
as skid-steer loaders, to support large-scale clean-up
tasks throughout flood-impacted areas and com -
munities. Once the initial flood relief efforts had been
achieved, emergency services transitioned control
back to state and local communities as the ongoing
repair phase began.
SBTG supporting clean-up of a caravan park.
Source. Defence
SBTG working with NSW Rural Fire Service boats.
Source. Defence
Over five tonnes of food and drinking water, along
with livestock feed and 2000L of fuel for generators
was delivered to isolated homes during this phase of
the operation. Here the SBTG specifically sought to
leverage the unique skills and capabilities that are
provided by special operations force personnel to
com plement and enhance the state-led response.
Historic commando tasks such as pathfinding and route
reconnaissance enabled the delivery of engineer
assessment teams to reach the most isolated.
It was extremely rewarding to be able to help the
people of Sydney during what was an extremely trying
and challenging time. Many of the SBTG personnel are
a part of the Sydney community and many had family
and friends directly impacted by the floods. To be able
to leverage SOCOMD’s unique capabilities and skill -
sets to provide support to the people of Sydney was a
truly humbling and rewarding experience.
SBTG Conducting replenishment tasks with NSW SES.
Source. Defence
SBTG conduct pathfinding and reconnaissance for SES.
Source. Defence
COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 15 I 2023 41