Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, floods and fires, Defence contingents sent to help communities would inadvertently put pressure on the town’s food and fuel supplies.
To prevent this from occurring again, the 8th Operational Support Unit (8OSU) was raised to conduct reconnaissance and determine what logistical needs were required before other soldiers arrived.
8OSU, Army’s newest unit, has the ability to hire equipment and arrange contracts for support services.
Established in January, 8OSU is expected to predominantly comprise logistics subject-matter experts.
Petroleum operator Warrant Officer Class 2 Kane Phelps said the unit aimed to take the logistical burden away from war fighters.
“Without logistics, everything stops,” he said.
“We will be on the ground before they are to ensure that those things will be able to be sourced, without taking away from the local townspeople.”
Newly appointed Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Brooke Steele, said 8OSU would have to become comfortable with supporting and growing at the same time.
She said the challenge was finding creative logisticians for capability and solution development.
“It’s going to be a busy time, but I think the soldiers are ready for the challenge,” she said.
Since its establishment, the unit has been working to help Defence understand what services they provide.
Lieutenant Colonel Steele said breaking away from previous structures was challenging, as 8OSU will provide a third-line logistic capability that has not been evident within the 2nd (Australian) Division for generations.
“It’s going to allow the 2nd Division to deploy and react in ways which haven’t been done since World War 2,” she said.
“The main and most important element of this unit will be its planning and its reinforcement capability, which will enable the Division’s combat elements.
“All this requires new thinking and new ideas, which is key to the challenge.”
In mid-June, Commander of the 2nd (Australian) Division Major General David Thomae visited the Sydney-based unit’s Dundas depot for a flag-raising ceremony to mark its official launch.
8OSU is a direct support unit of the 2nd Division.
