Operation Acolyte was the name given to the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to providing security, ceremonial and general support to the 2006 Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne, Australia.
The ADF contributed approximately 2600 personnel to Operation Acolyte from across the three defence services (Army, Navy, Air Force), and was commanded by Brigadier Andrew Smith.
[1] As part of the operation, the Royal Australian Navy minesweeper HMAS Norman conducted patrols around the Yarra River, identifying underwater points of interest.
[3] The operation saw the first-ever use of the ZN/TPS-77 Tactical Air Defence Radar System by the ADF.
[4] Furthermore, Tactical Assault Group members from the Australian Army's Special Operations Command were deployed to provide a specialist counter-terrorism and hostage-rescue capability if needed.