9th Force Support Battalion (Australia)

9th Force Support Battalion
Active1998 – present
Country Australia
BranchArmy
TypeLogistics
SizeOne battalion
Part of17th Sustainment Brigade
Garrison/HQRAAF Base Amberley, Amberley
Insignia
Unit colour patch

The 9th Force Support Battalion (9 FSB) is an Australian Army logistics battalion. Formed on 1 August 1998, following the amalgamation of a number of air despatch, military police, ships army detachments, personnel and transport units, it is based at RAAF Base Amberley in Amberley. 9 FSB is part the 17th Sustainment Brigade. Its role is to provide third line or 'general' support within an area of operations.[1][2]

9 FSB keeps two camels in their depot at RAAF Base Amberley as the mascots for 26th Transport Squadron, named "Vernon" and "Penny". Vernon and Penny have 2 handlers caring for them at all times. Their names come from the Officer Commanding of 9 FSB and his wife in 1984-85.[3]

On 30 May 2011, Lance Corporal Andrew Jones, a cook from 9 FSB, was killed in action in Afghanistan while serving with the Force Support Unit in Uruzgan Province.[4]

The battalion consists of the following units:[2]

  • Special Advisory Group
  • 9th Logistic Support Company
  • 26th Transport Squadron
  • 37th Force Supply Company
  • 176th Air Dispatch Squadron (RAAF Base Richmond)
  • 8th Personnel Services Company

Notes

  1. ^ Dennis et al 2008, pp. 327–328.
  2. ^ a b "9th Force Support Battalion". Australian Army. 14 December 2016. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  3. ^ 9th Force Support Battalion Camel Mascots, retrieved 3 July 2023
  4. ^ "Lance Corporal Andrew Jones". Department of Defence. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.

References

  • Dennis, Peter; et al. (2008). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (Second ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press Australia & New Zealand. ISBN 978-0-19-551784-2.
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