History

Early Days

There is a long history of signals in Brisbane. 136 Signal Squadron could almost claim its original unit ancestors as the Torpedo and Signalling Corps first documented as a Unit of Brisbane in 1877-78.

From the small beginnings of the ARA Northern Command Intercommunication Signal Troop formed in 1913, and known as ‘Intercom Troop' grew 4th Signal Regiment (now 136th Signal Squadron), redesignated as such in 1964. This redesignation was due to the considerably expanded role of the ‘Intercom Troop' within the AUSTCAN system. Between 1964 and 1966 Receiving and Transmitting Stations were installed at Greenbank and Acacia Ridge and a manual tape relay centre established in Victoria Barracks. The Regiment was an integrated ARA/CMF unit and had CMF field signal squadrons in Brisbane (Kelvin Grove), Toowoomba and Townsville.

On 2nd June 1969 the unit was again restructured. The CMF elements became independent Task Force Signal Squadrons namely 140 Sig Sqn, and 141 Sig Sqn in Toowoomba. The designation 4th Signal Regiment now applied solely to the fixed communications elements of a Regular Army establishment. Following the split in 1969 the units, regimental headquarters and administrative/logistics sub-units were relocated to Enoggera and thence to Wacol. In 1974 the regimental headquarters and support elements were relocated back to Victoria Barracks.

Changes With Time

October 1993 brought the closure of the Willawong Transmitter station. The final major HF taskings were as the interface station for Cambodia (UNTAC), a telephone patch for personnel in Cambodia to call relatives in Australia and as an initial interface station for Operation SOLACE in Somalia.

The Review of Strategic Administrative Communications (ROSAC) was brought into effect in 1994, and once again brought changes to the unit. 136 Signal Squadron (Defence Communication Element – Queensland) was formed in March 1994 as a Squadron within the 4th Signal Regiment preparing for the split. ROSAC directed that the Communications Centres (COMMCENs) at bases around Queensland come under control of the regional Base Administrative Support Centres (BASCs) while the Defence Switching Centre remained under operational command of the Defence Communications Group.

Introduction of DISCON

In 1984 Plessey Pacific Defence Systems were awarded a $200M contract for DISCON. Construction for the 4th Signal Regiment DISCON Building, located at Enoggera, commenced in mid 1987 and was completed in early 1989. On 13 March 1989, the Minister of Defence, K.C. Beazley MP, officially opened the DISCON building.

In early 1990 the construction of a regimental headquarters and logistics buildings also located at Enoggera was completed. This facilitated the move of the regiment to Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera and the DINTS was relocated from Victoria Barracks to the DISCON building in November 1990. At this stage the 4th Signal Regiment still retained links at Victoria Barracks, Oakey, Canungra, Willawong (Acacia Ridge) and Greenbank.

The DISCON circuit switch and message switch was commissioned in September 1992, DINTS continued to operate, providing the interface between the DEFCOMMNET and DISCON until all regions had cut over to DISCON. DINTS was officially de-commissioned on 14 October 1992.

136th Signal Squadron is Born....

On 1 March 1995, the 4th Signal Regiment official closed and 136th Signal Squadron was formed. The 1st March is now celebrated as the units birthday.Later that year DISCON was tested for CSP, but failed to be successful and was therefore not pursued.

1995 was also the year Defence directed that all commands identify and make manpower savings across the board under the Defence Efficiency Review (DER). In early 1996, VCDF Directive 6/96 was issued to Headquarters Defence Communications Group (HQ DCG) requiring a reduction in the number of DISCON switches from six to two full time and one standby. This directive saw the closure of the Message Switch at 136 Signal Squadron. The Circuit Switch and CCU were remotely controlled by DISCE-NSW, Glenbrook.

The second rationalisation of DISCON occurred late in 1997 and saw a further reduction in manning the unit with the complete closure of the Circuit Switch in early 1998. At this stage preliminary discussions occurred regarding the amalgamation of the COMMCEN from Army Command Support Group – Enoggera (ACSG-E), formerly the BASC-E, with 136 Signal Squadron. The amalgamation was finally completed in June 1999 with the Enoggera COMMCEN coming under administrative command of OC 136 Signal Squadron, while the remainder of ACSG-E remained under command of Defence Information System Centre – Qld Region (DISG-QR) Regional Ops.

June 1999 also saw the introduction of the Defence Dial-In Service, now Defence Dial-Up Facility (DDUF). Introduced under the title of Corporate Dial-In Project DM189, the service provided a corporate solution for Defence users to dial in to the Defence Switched Data Networks (DSDN) Backbone Router Service (BRS), utilising Randata Encrypted modems. The introduction of the DDUF brought a significant change in the squadron's mission, and a unique and important responsibility for the soldiers who managed the service. The DDUF was civilianised and relocated to Canberra in June 2001.

2000 saw a dramatic change in the role and focus of the Squadron as the Tactical Interface Station was established. This section enables units on operations and exercises, within Australia and overseas, to access on base voice and data (DRN & DSN) services. An establishment review in December 2001 resulted in the squadrons manning being increased from 36 to 53 to cater for the 24 x 7 support in its new role as a major tactical interface site. THe unit has played a vital role in supporting major operations and exercises in the past few years.

Original Unit Colour Patch

The origin of the previous Unit Colour Patch is traced to the Queensland Line of Communications Signals 1942 (QLD L of C SIGS). This unit was responsible for the communications requirements between Headquarters and Base Administrative areas in Brisbane to the camps and Fixed Military Installations throughout Queensland, a role consistent with that of the 4th Signal Regiment, now 136 Signal Squadron.

Colours:

Scarlet: Signifies a Line of Communications Unit

Light Green: Signifies the Military Area (QLD / 1 MD)

White: Symbolises the ribbons wound on the Caduceus (symbol of a messenger)

Light Blue: Symbolises the Royal Colours

New Unit Colour Patch

Recent changes saw 136 Sig Sqn change from using the old 4 Sig Regt Series I UCP and move to the new Series II UCP for 136 Sig Sqn.

Colours:

The white over Royal Blue is the RA Sigs Corp tactical colours. These colours are used for unit identication signs on vehicles, and the marking of communication centres and tactical installations. These colours combined make a striking contrast, suitable for easy indentification for tactical purposes.

White: Symbolises the white of the ribbons wound on the Caduceus of the god Hermes (the symbol of the messager)

Royal Blue: Represents the Royal Colours.

Purple: Depicts the lineage to our Engineer history.

Unit Mascot

On 15 October 1992, 4th Signal Regiment enlisted its mascot, a six week old purebred Dingo donated by Mr Bruce Jacobs of Castlemaine in Victoria. He was officially named Signalman Castlemaine Hermes, denoting his place of origin and the Corps badge. Affectionately known as 'Ringo the Dingo,' you will notice that he adorns the background of some of our pages on this Web Site.

Ringo's duties include: Security NCO, OIC Remedial / Medically Restricted PT and Fire Warden of the DISCON Compound. He narrowly missed out on a Soldier's Medallion in 1994 due to an indiscretion that lead to him being charged with AWOL. His punishment was Restriction of Privileges (Castration), a punishment that was considered a little 'ruff.'

Ringo was rewarded for his excellent security skills with promotion to LCPL on 1 March 1998, and then after exemption from Sub 1 Cpl (Mascot), was promoted to Cpl on 9 June 2000. With a few minor indiscretions his faithful service was rewarded by being promoted to Sergeant with effect the 19th November 2003.

RIP "Ringo"