17th Construction Squadron (Australia)
The 17th Construction Squadron is an Australian Army sub-unit consisting of personnel drawn mainly from the Royal Australian Engineers. Originally formed in 1949, the squadron is currently part of the 6th Engineer Support Regiment and is based at RAAF Base Amberley. Personnel from the squadron have deployed on operations during the Vietnam War, in Namibia, East Timor, and the War in Afghanistan. The squadron has participated in the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program since 1997, and has also been called upon to provide assistance to the wider Australian community following natural disasters, including most recently in the wake of the 2010–11 Queensland floods.
Placing bore-hole demolition charges
Sergeant Phil Palazzi after the demolition
Constructing a Transfield heavy girder bridge
Plant Troop on exercise winning road-base.
Royal Australian Engineers
The Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) is the military engineering corps of the Australian Army. The RAE is ranked fourth in seniority of the corps of the Australian Army, behind the Staff Cadets, Armoured and Artillery Corps. The corps was formed by the amalgamation of the various colonial engineer corps of the states and territories of Australia in 1902 and since then has served in various conflicts including World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. The corps has also served on numerous peacekeeping operations and was heavily involved in the Australian contribution to the war in Afghanistan.
Engineers at Tarakan, 1945
An RAE sapper assigned to the International Stabilisation Force, Dili, Timor Leste, 2010
Sappers from 1 CER, 2009