Operation RESOLUTE
The ADF’s domestic maritime security activities are conducted under Operation RESOLUTE. Between 450 – 500 ADF personnel support Operation RESOLUTE at any one time.Operation RESOLUTE commenced on 17 July 2006 and streamlines the ADF’s contribution to Australian whole-of-government efforts to protect Australia 's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Operation RESOLUTE consolidates previous ADF operations including Operation RELEX II (focussing on unauthorised boat arrivals), Operation CRANBERRY (illegal fishing and smuggling), Operation CELESTE and MISTRAL (patrols of Australia 's southern ocean EEZ), and patrols protecting Australia 's gas and oil infrastructure.
Operation RESOLUTE is commanded by Border Protection Command (BPC), which has assumed responsibility for operational coordination and control of both civil and military maritime enforcement activities within the EEZ. Rear Admiral Allan Du Toit is Commander Border Protection Command.
BPC is a joint organisation of Defence and Customs and is headquartered within Customs House in Canberra. Deputy Commander BPC Defence, Commander Northern Command (NORCOM), is located in Darwin.
HQ NORCOM, under direction from BPC, undertakes planning, surveillance, intelligence analysis and deployments to deliver a coordinated, whole-of-government focus on illegal fishing in particular and maritime security more generally.
The ADF contributes Royal Australian Navy surface patrols, Royal Australian Air Force maritime aerial surveillance and Australian Army Regional Force Surveillance Unit patrols.