The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, which has called Darwin home for the past 22 years, has paraded for the last time at Robertson Barracks closing a proud chapter in the unit’s and region’s history.
Some 200 soldiers paraded before gathered dignitaries, colleagues, family and friends on the Regiment’s parade ground on 31 October, before symbolically marching off to Townsville.
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment will take up residence at Lavarack Barracks as the new Armoured Cavalry Regiment within Army’s 3rd Brigade.
Commanding Officer of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel James Davis said it was with some sorrow that the unit said farewell to Darwin.
“The 2nd Cavalry Regiment was welcomed by the local community and was rapidly adopted as Darwin’s own,” LTCOL Davis said.
“We have been farewelled and welcomed home from numerous operations overseas, adding to the military history of the region and that of the regiment.
“With this final parade at Robertson Barracks, we say thank you to the Darwin and Palmerston communities for the support they have shown us for over two decades.”
The unit, which arrived in the Northern Territory in 1992, was the first unit of the 1st Brigade to move from Holsworthy, west of Sydney, taking up residence in what was then called Waler Barracks.
By the time the 1st Brigade had completely relocated, the original barracks were incorporated into the greater Robertson Barracks as it is known today.
Commander of the 1st Brigade, Brigadier Mick Ryan said while it would be sad to see 2nd Cavalry Regiment leave the brigade, he looked forward to the next chapter in the unit’s history under Plan Beersheba.
“As the second of the new Armoured Cavalry Regiments or ACRs, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment will be important to the 3rd Brigade,” BRIG Ryan said.
“With Tanks, Australian Light Armoured Vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers, the Armoured Cavalry Regiment offers a level of striking power, mounted reconnaissance and protected mobility not readily available to the soldiers of Townsville in the past.
“The 2nd Cavalry Regiment has added greatly to the rich history of the 1st Brigade, it is now the 3rd Brigade’s opportunity to add to their own.”
During its time in the Northern Territory, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment has supported most of Australia’s significant deployments.
The unit served with distinction in East Timor in support of INTERFET in 1999 and UNTAET from 2000 to 2002.
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment led Al Muttanna Task Group One in Iraq in 2005 and supported the second Task Group rotation from 2005 to 2006.
The regiment also led Overwatch Battle Group Two and supported the third Battle Group from 2006 to 2007.
In Baghdad, the unit supported the Security Detachment with the Australian Embassy from 2003 to 2005, 2007 to 2009 and 2011.
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment also deployed to Afghanistan supporting Reconstruction Task Force One from 2006 to 2007, Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force rotations one and two from 2008 to 2010 and Mentoring Task Force Two from 2010 to 2011.
The regiment completed Australia’s mission in Uruzgan province Afghanistan as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Task Force in 2013.
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