Current Composition
The 3rd Brigade currently has an authorised strength of 3,800 personnel and consists of the following units:
- Brigade Headquarters;
- B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment (Bushmaster PMV);
- 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (light infantry);
- 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (light infantry);
- 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (light infantry);
- 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (M777 Howitzer);
- 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion;
- 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment;
- 3rd Combat Signals Regiment.
The following units are not part of the brigade's establishment, but are tasked with supporting it:
- 5th Aviation Regiment;
- 10th Force Support Battalion;
- Joint Logistics Unit (NQ);
- Land Warfare Centre Detachment (NQ).
All of the brigade's units, except for 3 RAR, are based in Townsville. 3 RAR is currently based in Sydney where it formed the main combat elements of Australia's parachute battalion group but is currently in the process of relocating to Townsville. Under reforms announced in 2006, 3 RAR will convert to a pure light infantry battalion and relocate to Townsville. The brigade is currently commanded by Brigadier Stuart Smith.
Under a restructuring program known as Plan Beersheba announced in late 2011, the 1st, 3rd and 7th Brigades will be reformed as combined arms multi-role manoeuvre brigades with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (part of the 3rd Brigade) as the core of a future amphibious force (similar to the US Marine Corps).
Read more about this topic: 3rd Brigade (Australia)
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