8th Combat Service Support Battalion (Australia) explained

Unit Name:	8th Combat Service Support Battalion
Dates:	1 July 1995 – 17 December 2023
Country:	Australia
Branch:	Army
Type:	Logistics and health support
Size:	Headquarters and four sub-units
Command Structure:	5th Brigade
Garrison:	HQ at Timor Barracks, Dundas (Sydney)
Mascot:	Gigas Bat
Commander1:	Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Dare
Commander1 Label:	Last Commanding Officer

8th Combat Service Support Battalion (8 CSSB) was a unit of the 5th Brigade of the Australian Army.Originally formed as 8th Brigade Administrative Support Battalion (8 BASB) in 1995, 8 CSSB was a part-time Army (Reserve) unit with elements at Timor Barracks at Dundas (Sydney) and the Bullecourt Barracks at Adamstown (Newcastle).^[1] At various times in the past, the unit has had elements at Erina, Taree and Pymble. On 17 December 2023, 8 CSSB completed its transition into 5th Combat Service Support Battalion.

Role

The role of 8 CSSB was to provide first and limited second line support to its customer units within the 5th Brigade along with its counterpart unit the 5th Combat Service Support Battalion, of which it was absorbed into in 2023.

Battalion Composition

8 CSSB comprised a battalion headquarters and four sub-units:

1st Health Company
16th Transport Squadron (now carrying the 8 CSSB Mascot as a part of 5 CSSB)
111th Workshop Company

Former Commanding Officers

Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Jones RFD (1996-1997)
Lieutenant Colonel Robyn Cragg CSM RFD (1998-1999)
Lieutenant Colonel Martin Wiltshire RFD (2000–2001)
Lieutenant Colonel Russ Mullins CSC (2002–2003)
Lieutenant Colonel Allan Murray (2004–2005)
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony McBride (2006–2007)
Lieutenant Colonel Bill Cowham (2008–2010)
Lieutenant Colonel Ed McCann (2011–2013)
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Williamson (2014–2015)
Lieutenant Colonel Jodie Lording CSM (2016–2017)
Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Dare (2018-2019)

Notes and References

http://www.defence.gov.au/army/8CSSB/ Department of Defence – Australian Army