Special Operations.Com

Joint Task Force Gold

Note outboard pylons similar to those used on the American MH-6 Little Bird. Such pylons are used to seat soldiers/commandos for rapid insertions.

So what was JTF Gold?

ROLE

Joint Task Force Gold (JTF Gold) was established to provide security and general support for the 2000 Olympic Games.

FUNCTIONAL AREAS

Security involved:

JTF Gold is responsible for providing security support, less counter-terrorism (which was handled, in part, by the Special Air Service Regiment), to the New South Wales Police Service;

This involved personnel in;

	Venue and vehicle search — Operational Search;
	The provision of specialised bomb search capabilities — High Risk Search;
	Providing a ‘render-safe’ or safe handling of explosive device capability — Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (EOD/IEDD);
	Maritime search, explosive ordnance disposal and render-safe — Clearance Divers; and
	Aviation support for Command and Control and transporting response teams.

General support involved:

	Ceremonial tasks, such as military bands recording the national anthems of the participating countries, and flag handlers for ceremonial duties;
	Defence Force School Cadets to welcome the Paralympic athletes to the village;
	Provision of drivers to the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority for the transportation of anti-doping officials of the IOC Medical Commission; and
	Assisting with the provision of logistic, transport and communications managers.

FACTS

Estimated 4000 personnel

More than 2000 Reserves

Australian Army/Royal Australian Navy/Royal Australian Air Force

Military personnel from around Australia

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician tests a suspicious package during a venue search