Royal Australian Corps of Transport

Last updated

Royal Australian Corps of Transport
Ract.gif
Cap badge of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport
Active1 June 1973–present
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Branch Army
Type Corps
Role Transportation, military supply chain management, military logistics
Motto(s)Par Oneri (Equal to the Task)
ColoursBlue, white and scarlet
March Wait for the Wagon
Wait for the Wagon as a military tune
Excerpt of the 'Wait for the Wagon' tune as played by the HM Coldstream Guards Band
Commanders
Head of CorpsBrigadier Sue Graham [1]
Colonel-in-Chief The Princess Royal
Insignia
AbbreviationRACT
RACT Flag
Royal Australian Corps of Transport Flag.jpg

The Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) is an administrative corps within the Australian Army. The RACT is ranked tenth in seniority of the corps of the Australian Army, and is the most senior logistics corps. It was formed on 1 June 1973 as an amalgamation of the Royal Australian Army Service Corps (RAASC) and Royal Australian Engineers Transportation Service. The RACT is responsible for the operation of army surface transport assets, movement control, terminal and postal services, and Army aspects of air logistic support.

Contents

Role

The role of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport is to control and operate Army-owned surface transport, other than unit transport, and to provide movement control, terminal, postal and Army aspects of air logistic support. Members of the corps are employed in a variety of roles: road transport, movements, air dispatch, postal, water transport, and terminal operations. [2]

History

The RACT was formed on 1 June 1973 from an amalgamation of two existing corps: Royal Australian Army Service Corps (RAASC) and Royal Australian Engineers Transportation Service (RAE-TN). From RAASC, RACT gained the responsibilities of road and amphibian transport, air dispatch and postal functions, while from RAE-TN it gained its water transport, terminal and movements roles. The remaining RAASC functions—such as the provision of foodstuffs and petrol, oils and lubricants—were allocated to the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC), and RAASC ceased to exist on 31 May 1973. [3] The corps also draws its origins from the Australian Army Transportation Corps, which existed between 1945 and 1947. [4] [5]

Early beginnings

Prior to the Federation of Australia in 1901, each Australian state maintained its own military forces. Victoria was the first to raise a logistic unit, which was known as the 'Ordnance, Commissariat and Transport Corps' in 1887; later renamed the Commissariat and Transport Corps. [6] A similar unit known as the Army Service Corps was founded in New South Wales, and upon the formation of the national army in 1901, the predecessor to RACT, the Australian Army Service Corps (AASC) was formed. [6]

By 1905, transport-specific units were raised within the AASC for the provision of land transport, including the No. 1 Light Horse Supply Column in New South Wales, and No. 2 Infantry Supply Column in Victoria. [7]

Service history during WWI as a part of the AASC

Australian Army Transportation Corps (AATnC) and RAE(Tn)

Sometime in 1940, the Directorate of Rail Transportation was formed to coordinate movements between Australian rail networks and roads. [6] [8]

In early 1942, a joint services decision was made to make the Army responsible for the supply and operation of small water craft and dock services, thus the Directorate of Water Transportation (Small Craft) RAE, was formed. This decision was made due to Navy being less able to command and control personnel that were widely dispersed where land forces were operating, particularly in New Guinea. [6]

On 6 August 1945, the Australian Army Transportation Corps (AATnC) was formed by the amalgamation of these directorates, along with Road transport, and all their associated operating units. However, on 7 April 1947, road transport was separated back into the AASC, and the remaining amalgamation become known as the Transportation Service RAE, or RAE(Tn). The RAE(Tn) latter expanded to include the operation of all military terminals. [6]

The railway elements were maintained through an Army Reserve Unit[ which? ] until the late 1960s. [6]

The RAE(Tn) was combined again with Road transport from the AASC in the formation of the RACT on 1 June 1973. [3]

Service history during WWII

AASC Troops near Wewak, New Guinea during WWII using Australian landing craft to transport forward trucks loaded with stores. Australian Army Service Corps Trucks being unload by landing craft in World War II (New Guinea).JPG
AASC Troops near Wewak, New Guinea during WWII using Australian landing craft to transport forward trucks loaded with stores.

Transport as a part of the AASC 1947–1973

Road Transport was a part of the Australian Army Service Corps between 1901–1945 and 1947–1973.

Corps embellishments

Banners

RACT Princess Royal Banner 2013 Royal Australian Corps of Transport Banner 2013.jpg
RACT Princess Royal Banner 2013

At Puckapunyal on 4 June 1983 the RACT was presented with its former Princess Alice banner. It was received from the Governor General of Australia, Sir Ninian Stephen, who presented it on behalf of Princess Alice. [9]

Following the death of Princess Alice in 2004, Anne, The Princess Royal, was announced as the next Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport on the 17 March 2011 at the 2011 RACT Corps Conference. On 1 June 2013, at Amberley, the RACT was presented with its new Princess Royal Banner. It is red with gold embroidery of the Princess Royal cypher, RACT badge and year 2013. The reverse side has the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. [10]

The RACT Banner is currently housed in the Tobruk Barracks Officers' Mess at Puckapunyal. [11]

Lanyard and Corps colours

The RACT Lanyard is a braided blue and red lanyard to represent its RAASC and RAE heritage. Notably, RACT was the first corps in the Australian Army to receive approval to wear a braided lanyard. [12]

The corps colours of the RACT are blue, white and scarlet. [10] Each of the colours represents various aspects of the history of the corps:

Badge

The badge of the RACT consists of the seven-pointed Federation Star incorporating the Royal Cipher, being common to both the badges of the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) and Royal Australian Army Service Corps (RAASC). Surrounding the Royal Cipher is a circlet containing the name 'Royal Australian Corps of Transport', which is enclosed by a laurel wreath and the Corps motto Par Oneri which translates to 'Equal to the Burden'. [14]

Units and locations

The Royal Australian Corps of Transport has a significant presence at both Puckapunyal, Victoria where the main elements of the Army School of Transport (AST) operates alongside two transport squadrons; and at the Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Bandiana and Bonegilla, Victoria which also has elements of the Army School of Transport. RACT soldiers and officers are employed all throughout Australia and overseas. [15]

Transport units in the Australian army are incorporated in Combat Service Support Battalions (CSSB) or Force Support Battalions (FSB) units apart from the 17th Sustainment Brigade. RACT personnel however, are broadly employed, particularly as driver specialists, within non-Transport units, such as infantry battalions, engineering regiments, health companies and other logistics units and sub-units as well as within Special Operations Command units.

Air Dispatch

Members of the 176th Air Dispatch Squadron attach supplies for transport to a UH-1 Huey during Exercise Talisman Saber 2005 UH-1 050617-N-9288T-079-s.jpg
Members of the 176th Air Dispatch Squadron attach supplies for transport to a UH-1 Huey during Exercise Talisman Saber 2005

Army Air Dispatch is provided by a combined Regular and Reserve Army 176th Air Dispatch Squadron based at RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales, Australia, the squadron is a sub-unit of the 9th Force Support Battalion (9 FSB). [16] Air Dispatch uses the motto Par Oneri de Caelo, meaning Equal to the Task from the Sky. [17]

Cargo and Terminal

The 30 Terminal Squadron, located in Townsville, Queensland operates as a part of 10th Force Support Battalion (10 FSB) of the 17th Combat Service Support Brigade primarily provides the army capability for the movement of cargo by air, land and sea. Cargo and Terminal operations work closely with the Australian Navy and Ships' Army Establishment (previously known as Ships' Army Detachments) in loading and unloading of cargo and equipment. The Ships Army Establishment are currently only employed onboard HMAS Canberra, HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Choules. [18]

Movements

RACT personnel are responsible for planning, coordinating, executing, controlling and monitoring the operational and strategic movements of personnel and equipment of the ADF, and contribute to ADF movements in a joint forces environment. Movements are coordinated through 1st Joint Movement Group and Joint Movement Control Offices (JMCOs) located in most capital cities across Australia as well as all locations where there are significant army units. [19]

Postal

During the First World War, Australia had a dedicated Australian Army Postal Corps. [20] [21] However, since formation of the RACT, the responsibility of Postal Services for the ADF falls primarily to a small number of RACT personnel operating at Lavarack Barracks in Queensland and is loosely linked to the Australia Post delivery network. The military staff are responsible to operate Australian Forces Post Offices (AFPO) and are typically dynamic and exist in locations where Australian forces are operating overseas or on major exercises. [22]

Road Transport

Road Transport is the largest capability group of the RACT.

The regular army road transport units are: [23]

The army reserve road transport units are regional, and generally operate from multiple depots: [23]

The Army School of Transport is split into three main units:

Water Transport

Army Water Transport involves the operation of amphibious watercraft, such as the LARC-V for transport across sea, inland water and ship to shore operations (also known as Logistics over-the-shore operations). The 35 Water Transport Squadron part of the 10th Force Support Battalion (10 FSB) located in Townsville, Queensland as a part of the 17th Sustainment Brigade primarily provides this capability for the Australian Army. [25] [26]

Employment categories

The Royal Australian Corps of Transport is responsible for providing a vast range of capabilities, through several different employment categories which are available to both Australian Regular Army and Australian Army Reserve (part-time service): [27]

RACT soldiers may also be posted to Australian Army Postal service.

Vehicles and equipment

The Australian Defence Force is currently undergoing a significant vehicle modernisation project, known as LAND 121. LAND 121 is a multi-phase project that aims to deliver more advanced capability that includes hardened and networked vehicles through the inclusion of IED-resistant light armouring combined with advanced GPS Enhanced Position Location Reporting Systems and integrated radio communications. The new vehicles are a significant increase in capability, replacing vehicle fleets that have been in-service since the 1980s. [28]

LAND 121 is scheduled to deliver around 7500 protected and unprotected vehicles providing battlefield mobility and logistics support. [28]

Old Fleet vehicles & equipment (In-service, being retired) [29]

Australian Army Unimog Truck Australian Army Unimog truck with digital camouflage.JPG
Australian Army Unimog Truck

In-service vehicles & equipment [29]

An Australian Army Bushmaster PMV on display Bushmaster AWM 21-11-09.JPG
An Australian Army Bushmaster PMV on display

Next generation (LAND 121) vehicles & equipment (being introduced to service)

Watercraft:

Affiliations

Order of precedence

Preceded by Australian Army Order of Precedence Succeeded by

Notes

  1. ↑ "Head of Corps". RACT Association. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  2. ↑ "Transport Corps Officer". Defence Jobs. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 Palazzo 2001, p. 2.
  4. ↑ "Australian Army Transportation Corps". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  5. ↑ Harris, Ted. "Royal Australian Corps of Transport". Digger History. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gough, D.A, ed. (December 1979). "Par Oneri" (PDF). The Journal of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport. 1 (1): 7–8.
  7. ↑ Palazzo 2001, p. 4.
  8. ↑ "War files [Department of Railways]". NSW State Records. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  9. ↑ Palazzo 2001, p. 23.
  10. 1 2 "History – RACT". Royal Australian Corps of Transport. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  11. ↑ "RACT Policy Statement #17" (PDF). RACT.org.au. January 2014. p. 2. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  12. ↑ Palazzo 2001, p. 149.
  13. ↑ Palazzo 2001, pg. 149, 161.
  14. ↑ Palazzo 2001, p. 148.
  15. ↑ "Army Bases". Defence Jobs (Australia). Department of Defence. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  16. ↑ "9th Force Support Battalion". Australian Army. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  17. ↑ "Our History". Air Dispatch Association of Australia (ADAA). Air Dispatch Association of Australia. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  18. ↑ "Cargo Specialist". Defence Jobs. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  19. ↑ "Operator Movements – Employment Locations". Defence Jobs. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  20. ↑ "Australian Army Postal Corps". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  21. ↑ "Australian Army Postal Corps". No. Wednesday 5 July 1916. The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  22. ↑ "Mail for defence personnel". Australia Post. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  23. 1 2 Palazzo 2001, pg. 37, 156–157.
  24. ↑ "Marine Specialist".
  25. ↑ "Marine Specialist". Defence Jobs. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  26. ↑ "Transport Corps Officer – Employment Locations". Defence Jobs. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  27. ↑ "Defence Jobs (Australia)". Defence Jobs (Australia). Department of Defence. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Project LAND 121". Australian Army. Australian Army. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  29. 1 2 "Royal Australian Corps of Transport". Australian Army. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  30. ↑ "JRA Land Rover 110 Heavy Duty". military-today.com. ARG. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "Mack MC3". military-today.com. ARG. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  32. ↑ "International Harvester SF2670". military-today.com. ARG. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  33. ↑ Land Vehicle Systems Branch. "Land121 Phase 3A – G-Wagon" (PDF). Department of Defence. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  34. ↑ "G Wagon". Australian Army Vehicles. Australian Army. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  35. ↑ "Bushmaster". Australian Army Vehicles. Australian Army. Retrieved 27 December 2015.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Corps of Transport</span> Former corps of the British Army (1965-1993)

The Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) was a British Army Corps established to manage all matters in relation to the transport of men and material for the Army and the wider Defence community. It was formed in 1965 and disbanded in 1993; its units and trades were amalgamated into the Royal Logistic Corps. The Depot and Training Regiment RCT was at the former Buller Barracks in Aldershot garrison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Armoured Corps</span> Administrative corps of the Australian Army

The Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) is an administrative corps of the Australian Army. It provides the Australian Defence Force's Armour capability, which performs the function of mounted combat. Armour combines firepower, mobility, protection and networked situational awareness to generate shock action and overmatch in close combat. Armour is an essential element of the combined arms approach that is employed by the Australian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Corps of Signals</span> Military unit

The Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASigs) is one of the 'arms' of the Australian Army. It is responsible for installing, maintaining, and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information systems. The motto of the Signals Corps is Certa Cito and is translated as 'Swift and Sure', signifying the aim of the signal service – that communication be carried out with maximum speed and certainty. Like their British counterparts, the Royal Australian Corps of Signals' flag and hat badge feature Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods, affectionately referred to by members of the corps as "Jimmy".

Enoggera Barracks is an Australian Army base in the northwestern Brisbane suburb of Enoggera in Queensland, Australia. It was officially established in the early 20th century when the area was used for field training, although the area was used by military units as far back as the mid-19th century. Since then it has been developed into a modern military base, which is now home to units of the 7th and 11th Brigades as well as the headquarters of the 1st Division and the 16th Aviation Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ANZUK</span> Military unit

ANZUK was a tripartite force formed by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to defend the Asian Pacific region after the United Kingdom withdrew forces from the east of Suez in the early 1970s. The ANZUK force was formed in Singapore on 1 November 1971 under Rear Admiral David Wells and disbanded on 31 January 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps</span> Military unit

The Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC) is the Corps within the Australian Army concerned with supply and administration, as well as the demolition and disposal of explosives and salvage of battle-damaged equipment. The Corps contains clerks, operator supplies, petroleum operators, parachute riggers and ammunition technicians. Members of the Corps are nicknamed Roaches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Engineers</span> Administrative corps of the Australian Army

The Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) is the military engineering corps of the Australian Army. The RAE is ranked fourth in seniority of the corps of the Australian Army, behind the Staff Cadets, Armoured and Artillery Corps. The corps was formed by the amalgamation of the various colonial engineer corps of the states and territories of Australia in 1902 and since then has served in various conflicts including World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. The corps has also served on numerous peacekeeping operations and was heavily involved in the Australian contribution to the war in Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Army Aviation</span> Administrative corps of the Australian Army

The Australian Army Aviation (AAAvn) is an administrative corps of the Australian Army. It was formed on 1 July 1968. The motto of the Australian Army Aviation corps is Vigilance.

A logistics officer is a member of an armed force or coast guard responsible for overseeing the support of an army, air force, marine corps, navy or coast guard fleet, both at home and abroad. Logistics officers can be stationary on military bases or deployed as an active part of a field army, air wing, naval force or coast guard fleet. The responsibilities of Logistics Officers vary, depending on where they are deployed and what tasks they are assigned. In addition, different countries have different roles for Logistics Officers. The main role of these officers remains the same regardless of where they are stationed; to ensure that the force is supplied with enough food, water, fuel, ammunition and other goods and services to complete the task at hand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oakleigh Barracks</span>

Oakleigh Barracks is an installation of the Australian Army. It is located in the suburb of Oakleigh South. It is situated on North Road, close to Huntingdale Railway Station.

The Royal Australian Army Service Corps (RAASC) was a corps within the Australian Army. Formed on 1 July 1903, in the aftermath of the Federation of Australia, it was initially known as the Australian Army Service Corps (AASC) and subsumed the functions that had been undertaken by various organisations within the colonial forces. In 1948, the Royal prefix was bestowed upon the corps. The corps served in World War I, World War II, as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan, Korean War, Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War. The RAASC was disbanded on 31 May 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">10th Force Support Battalion (Australia)</span> Australian Army unit

The 10th Force Support Battalion is an Australian Army logistics battalion and is part of the 17th Sustainment Brigade. Its role is to provide third line or 'general' support within an area of operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Armoured Brigade (Australia)</span> 1941-1957 formation of the Australian Army

The 2nd Armoured Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in July 1941, at Puckapunyal, Victoria, from Second Australian Imperial Force volunteers. It was assigned to the 1st Armoured Division in July 1941, with the intention of deploying it to the Middle East. However, it was reassigned to home defence following Japan's entry into the war, and was then transferred to the 3rd Armoured Division in October 1942. The brigade remained in Australia, undertaking defensive duties in Victoria and Queensland before being disbanded in January 1944. While it did not see any active service as a formation, some of its constituent units eventually took part in the campaigns on Tarakan, Labuan, Bougainville and around Aitape–Wewak in 1944–1945 after transferring to other brigades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defence School of Transport</span> Educational institution in England

The Defence School of Transport (DST) Leconfield is located at Normandy Barracks, Leconfield near Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire in England.

The 7th Combat Service Support Battalion is an Australian Army administration and logistics battalion which provides transport, supply and maintenance support services to units of the 7th Brigade. The battalion is made up of both Regular personnel and has recently been involved in deployments to Timor Leste, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 1st Australian Logistic Support Group was a ground support unit of the Australian Army during the Vietnam War located at the 1st Australian Support Compound in Vũng Tàu. 1 ALSG commanded logistic support units to all Australian forces in South Vietnam and was composed of engineer, transport, ordnance, medical and service corps units. The unit was initially formed in 1965 as the Australian Logistic Support Company to support the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment at the Bien Hoa Air Base, and was redesignated as 1 ALSG in April 1966 following the formation of the 1st Australian Task Force as the Australian commitment in Vietnam expanded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">14th Armoured Regiment (Australia)</span> Tank equipped Australian Army regiment of World War III

The 14th Armoured Regiment was a unit of the Australian Army, which served during World War II. The regiment was formed in May 1942 as part of the 6th Australian Armoured Brigade. It was originally a Militia unit which originated from the 17th Light Horse Regiment. It was disbanded in early 1943 without seeing combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">INTERFET logistics</span> Logistical support of the International Force East Timor

The logistical support of the multinational International Force East Timor (INTERFET) peacekeeping mission in 1999 and 2000 involved, at its peak, 11,693 personnel from 23 countries. Of these 5,697 were from Australia, making it the largest deployment of Australian forces overseas since the Vietnam War. INTERFET was unusual in that it was led by Australia, casting the country in a wholly unfamiliar role. The logistics and support areas of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) had been subject to deep cuts in the 1990s. The ADF had not anticipated being committed to such a large peacekeeping mission, and was unprepared to support an Australian force projection of this size, much less act as lead nation of an international coalition.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.