| 2nd Health Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2022 - Today |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Combat health support |
| Role | Health Support |
| Size | One battalion |
| Part of | 2nd Brigade (Australia) |
| Garrison/HQ | Gallipoli Barracks |
| Motto(s) | Non Sui Sed Aliis - Not for self, but others |
| Colors | Brown and Red |
| Mascot(s) | Viper / Serpent |
| Anniversaries | 1 March |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | LTCOL Kelly Dunne, CSC |
| Regimental Sergeant Major | WO1 Matt Shoemark |
| Insignia | |
| 2nd Health Battalion | &sq=&lang=&file=File:2HB_Official_Seal.jpg) |
| Unit colour patch | &sq=&lang=&file=File:2nd_Health_Battalion_Colour_Patch.jpg) |
| Unit Field Patch | &sq=&lang=&file=File:2HB_Unit_Field_Patch.jpg) |
The 2nd Health Battalion (2HB) is an Australian Army unit of the 2nd Health Brigade. It is primarily based at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera, Queensland, however Delta Company is located in Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra supporting NSW and ACT. The battalion is a rapidly deployable unit to provide support across the entire land based trauma system. This included integral, evacuation, initial wound surgery, resuscitation, damage control resuscitation and medium to high intensity nursing care, (surgical resuscitation) in the area of operations.[1]
The battalion was raised as the 2nd Health Support Battalion on 1 November 2000 from the 2nd Field Hospital, the Dental Unit of the Defence Corporate Support Office in Brisbane and the 4th Preventive Medicine Company.[2] In November 2011, the battalion was renamed the 2nd General Health Battalion.[3]
The battalion consisted of two surgical companies, a logistical support company, a preventative medical company, a dental company, a shock trauma platoon and a battalion headquarters. [1]
In February 2022, following the disbandment of 2GHB as part of the Army's restructure of its health battalions, four new health battalions were formed that were to be placed under the command of the 2nd Health Brigade.[4][5]
Following the Health restructure, 2nd Health Battalion formally expanded its Close Health and Allied Health Support capability further bolstering its previously existing General Health assets.
On the 3rd of March 2023, the 4 Australian Army Health Battalions were placed under the central command of 2nd Health Brigade with the intent to establish a central health command and unify the 4 battalions across Australia. [6]
- ^ a b "2nd General Health Battalion". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012.
- ^ Maj General John Pearn (Retd). "History of 2HSB". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 3 May 2003.
- ^ Army Headquarters. "The Australian Army in Profile 2011" (PDF). Australian Army. p. 59. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2012.
- ^ Chief of Army Lt Gen Richard Burr (3 February 2022). "Chief of Army Order of the Day - the raising of the 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th Health Battalions". Australian Army. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Richardson, Capt Annie (3 March 2022). "'Centre of excellence' : Health battalions raised to form new brigade" (PDF). Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1503 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. p. 3. ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2023-03-03/new-health-brigade-army