Holsworthy Barracks

Holsworthy Barracks (ICAO: YSHW) is an Australian Army military barracks, located in the Heathcote National Park in Holsworthy approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the central business district, in south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The barracks is part of the Holsworthy military reserve, which is 22,000-hectare (54,000-acre) 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]

Holsworthy Barracks
Part of Holsworthy military reserve
Holsworthy, Sydney, New South Wales in Australia
Aerial view of the barracks' helicopter facilities
UNTAG farewell parade at Holsworthy Barracks for the 1 Australian Service Contingent (1ASC), 1989.
Holsworthy Barracks
Location in Greater Sydney
Coordinates33°59′42″S 150°57′06″E
TypeBarracks
Area20,000 hectares (49,000 acres) – (Holsworthy military reserve)[1]
Site information
OwnerDepartment of Defence
Operator Australian Army
Other site
facilities		Defence Force Correctional Establishment
Site history
Built1880s[1]
Garrison information
Occupants
Airfield information
IdentifiersICAO: YSHW
Elevation76 metres (250 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
11/29 670 metres (2,198 ft) Asphalt
Sources: AIP[2]

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.[3][4]

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 the NSW Australian Army Cadet Brigade.

Terrorism plot
Main articles: 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.[5][6] The men were connected with the Somali-based terrorist group al-Shabaab.[7] Prime Minister Kevin Rudd later announced that the federal government had ordered a review of security at all military bases.[8] 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.[9] In December 2011 three of the terror plotters were sentenced to 18 years in prison.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Holsworthy Barracks, New South Wales" (PDF). Department of Defence. Australian Government. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  2. YSHW – Holsworthy (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 05 Nov 2020
  3. "Major Army Bases". Defence Jobs. Department of Defence. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  4. "DHA Holsworth Base Guide". Defence Housing Australia. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  5. Stewart, Cameron; Rout, Milanda (5 August 2009). "Somali extremists on a 'fatwa order' from God". The Australian. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  6. Iaria, Melissa (4 August 2009). "Terror suspects 'sought holy approval'". news.com.au. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  7. Fife-Yeomans, Janet; Crawford, Carly (5 August 2009). "Terror suspects 'sought holy approval'". news.com.au. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  8. "Govt orders review of security at military bases". news.com.au. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  9. "Daily Telegraph journalists arrested at Holsworthy". news.com.au. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  10. Ross, Norie (17 December 2011). "Judge berates terrorists who were given refuge in Australia". Herald Sun.

Further reading
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