Force Support Unit in the MEAO

28 October 2011

Royal Australian Navy Able Seaman Writer Dallas Smith, a member of Force Support Unit - Five, sorts mail in the Mail Room at Multi National Base - Tarin Kot in Southern Afghanistan.

The Force Support Unit (FSU) is a joint unit providing logistic support, camp maintenance and theatre induction training for Australian Defence Force elements in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).

The current FSU-5 is comprised of approximately 140 personnel, primarily made up of Army personnel with numerous Navy and Air Force members, drawn from various units and bases across Australia.

FSU tasks include managing and distributing supplies and equipment necessary for the conduct of operations, the provision of postal support throughout the MEAO, and camp maintenance support in Tarin Kot and Kandahar.

The FSU is also responsible for providing induction training for all personnel entering the MEAO. This training provides acclimatisation and final preparation for personnel before they move forward to their Task Groups. The training consists of operational briefings, equipment issues, weapons handling testing, live firing and engagements, and combat first aid training. Force Support Unit is in three locations throughout the Middle East including Al Minhad Air Base, Tarin Kot and Kandahar.