2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment


caption=Badge of the Royal Australian Regiment
country=Australia
allegiance=
type=Line Infantry
branch=Army
dates=1945 - 15 August 1973,
1 February 1995 - Present
specialization=Light Infantry
command_structure=3 Brigade
size=
current_commander=
garrison=Townsville
ceremonial_chief=HM The Queen (Australian Infantry Corps)
ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel-in-Chief
nickname="Men in Black"
motto="Second to One"
colors=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=Unit Colour Patch
identification_symbol_2= [http://www.regiments.org/tradition/tartans/austral.htm Australian (Pipers kilts and plaids)]
identification_symbol_2_label=Tartan
march="Ringo" (Band)
"Back in Black" (Pipes and Drums)
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR) is an Australian light infantry battalion. 2 RAR was first formed as the Australian 66th Battalion in 1945 and is currently based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville where it forms part of the Australian 3rd Brigade.

2 RAR has seen active service during the Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation and Vietnam War. In addition, the Battalion has participated in peacekeeping operations in Japan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands and has contributed rifle companies to the security force protecting the Australian embassy in Baghdad following the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. In May 2006 2 RAR's headquarters, support company and a rifle company deployed to Iraq as part of the third rotation of the Al Muthanna Task Group.

As part of the post-Vietnam War reduction of the Australian Army 2 RAR was combined with 4 RAR between 15 August 1973 and 1 February 1995 as the 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

Alliances

*GBR - Coldstream Guards

References

*en icon [http://www.hotkey.net.au/~marshalle/2RAR/2RAR1.htm A Short History of 2RAR]
*en icon [http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_ME_11340.asp Australian War Memorial - Australian Military Units (2RAR)]