Holsworthy Barracks Explained

Holsworthy Barracks
Partof:Holsworthy military reserve
Location:, Sydney, New South Wales
Country:Australia
Image2 Size:300
Type:Barracks
Coordinates:-33.995°N 150.9517°W
Pushpin Map:Australia Sydney
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Greater Sydney
Pushpin Relief:1
Pushpin Label:Holsworthy Barracks
Pushpin Label Position:left
Ownership:Department of Defence
Site Other:Defence Force Correctional Establishment
Site Area:22000ha
Built:1880s[1]
Icao:YSHW
Elevation:250feet
R1-Number:11/29
R1-Length:670m (2,200feet)
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Footnotes:Sources: AIP

Holsworthy military base is an Australian Army military barracks, located in the Heathcote National Park in Holsworthy approximately 25km (16miles) from the central business district, in south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The barracks is part of the Holsworthy military reserve, which is 22000adj=onNaNadj=on training area and artillery range for the Australian Army, established in the 1880s and been in active use since World War I. Following World War II, it became a major base for the permanent component of the Australian Army in New South Wales. Holsworthy Military Airport is also located in the reserve. Activities carried out on the base include the use of firing ranges, chemical weapons testing, fire training, vehicle maintenance, and bulk chemical storage and distribution from numerous above ground and underground storage tanks.[1]

Following the movement of many units of the Regular Army to Darwin, Northern Territory, in the late 1990s, many Army Reserve units were moved from other depots to Holsworthy Barracks, including the Headquarters of the 5th Brigade.[2] [3]

The base is currently home to 142 Signal Squadron, 2nd Commando Regiment (2 Cdo Regt), Special Operations Engineer Regiment and 6th Aviation Regiment. A number of training units and the Defence Force Correctional Establishment are also located at Holsworthy.

The base is also home to the regional headquarters of both NSW Australian Army Cadets Brigade and NSW 2nd Australian Army Cadets Brigade.

Terrorism plot

See main article: Holsworthy Barracks terror plot and Terrorism in Australia.

On 4 August 2009, five men from Melbourne, Victoria, were charged over the Holsworthy Barracks terror plot, a plan to storm the barracks with automatic weapons, and shoot anyone they encountered until they themselves were killed or captured.[4] [5] The men were connected with the Somali-based terrorist group al-Shabaab.[6] Prime Minister Kevin Rudd later announced that the federal government had ordered a review of security at all military bases.[7] On 6 August 2009, a Daily Telegraph reporter and photographer were charged with taking a photograph of a defence installation after being granted entry to the military base.[8] In December 2011 three of the terror plotters were sentenced to 18 years in prison.[9]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Holsworthy Barracks, New South Wales . . Australian Government . 1 October 2013 . 27 August 2017 .
  2. Web site: Major Army Bases. Defence Jobs. Department of Defence. 27 December 2015.
  3. Web site: DHA Holsworth Base Guide. Defence Housing Australia. 27 December 2015.
  4. News: Cameron . Stewart . Milanda . Rout . 5 August 2009 . Somali extremists on a 'fatwa order' from God . . 5 August 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090807105257/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25884512-601,00.html . 7 August 2009 . dead .
  5. News: Melissa . Iaria . 4 August 2009 . Terror suspects 'sought holy approval' . news.com.au . 4 August 2009 .
  6. News: Janet . Fife-Yeomans . Carly . Crawford . 5 August 2009 . Terror suspects 'sought holy approval' . news.com.au . 5 August 2009 .
  7. News: 5 August 2009 . Govt orders review of security at military bases . news.com.au . 5 August 2009 .
  8. News: 6 August 2009 . Daily Telegraph journalists arrested at Holsworthy . news.com.au . 7 February 2014 .
  9. News: Judge berates terrorists who were given refuge in Australia . Norie . Ross . . 17 December 2011 .