New bull ring
Volume 11, No. 54, October 19, 2006
By Michael Brooke

Stampede: Members of 21 Const Regt fly the flag under the 5 Bde banner. Photo by Michael Brooke

THE Raging Bull – otherwise known as 21 Const Regt, have come under command of the Holsworthy-based 5 Bde, in a move that will enhance the opportunities of its soldiers, while continuing its traditions.

Commander Land Command Engineers Col Mike Kavanagh handed over command of 21 Const Regt to Chief of Staff 5 Bde, Col Paul Brereton, during a parade at Holsworthy on September 23.

Col Kavanagh said the hand-over was a result of the Wilson Review into the higher command and control of the ADF which recognises the need for LHQ to reorganise and gradually relinquish command of operations and consolidate its raise, train and sustain function.

Col Kavanagh said as a result of LHQ’s reorganisation of its allotment of LCOMD Direct Command Units, CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy approved the transfer of command of 21 and 22 Const Regts to 2 Div.

Col Brereton, who represented Commander 5 Bde Brig Craig Williams at the handover ceremony, welcomed 21 Const Regt into the fold of the Green Diamond.

Col Brereton said the personnel of 21 Const Regt should see the move to 5 Bde as a combination of continuity and opportunity.

The unit would retain its role, structure and environment, but the broader context of a brigade would provide opportunities for its soldiers to widen their horizons in a number of ways – particularly through service in the Reserve Response Force, in the High Readiness Reserve being developed as part of the HNA-R initiative, and in operational deployments to which 5 Bde contributes.

“We particularly look forward to the contribution your skills can bring to the RRF,” he said.

Col Brereton said the hand-over reflected the Bde’s continued capability development in the current hight tempo environment, as it increased support to operational deployments.

CO 21 Const Regt Lt-Col Greg Nicholls said the hand-over represents a significant milestone in the 56 year history of the unit, “where we leave the command of Land Command and re-join the 2nd Div”.

“With the Construction Regiments on board, 2 Div will have significant capability in force engineering, as we deal in the bigger end of engineering and project management in terms of horizontal and vertical construction, which is something 2 Div has not had for 15 years.”

Lt-Col Nicholls said the hand-over coincides with the regiment taking on two additional important and unique capabilities. The first being the Coastal and Riverine Survey Sect from 19 CE Works and second, the raising of the CIMIC Sqn for 2 Div, which constitutes the ADF’s growing CIMIC capability.

“The regiment is looking forward to constructing new links with 5 Bde as well as maintaining its continued support role to 6ESR, 19 CE Works and ADF operational and AACAP commitments.”

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