Kabul. 3 RAR formed the basis of a battle group that was deployed to the country again in 2012 tasked with mentoring the Afghan National Army 4th Brigade, 205th Corps, before handing over to 7 RAR in November. Light infantry role, 2011–2018 3 RAR was scheduled to return to Adelaide and based at RAAF Base Edinburgh to be re-rolled as a mechanised infantry battalion under the Hardened and Networked Army plan launched in 2005. It was considered that as 4 RAR (Cdo) had an integral parachute capability there was no requirement for a conventional parachute capability. In 2006, the Enhanced Land Force plan was launched with 3 RAR now to move to Townsville and re-role as a light infantry battalion. From 2006, the Parachute Battalion Group "was scaled back to a task-organised force element" the Airborne Combat Team. On 26 August 2011, the Chief of Army transferred responsibility for maintaining the Army's parachute capability from Forces Command to Special Operations Command. The additional light infantry battalion provided Forces Command with greater flexibility to develop an amphibious infantry battalion. In January 2012, the battalion relocated to Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Iraq, 2017 The battalion was warned for Operation Okra in 2017 which saw the unit's command element and Alpha Company deployed as part of the fifth rotation of Task Group Taji. This rotation was based at Camp Taji and facilitated training of the Iraqi Army in the fight against ISIS. Afghanistan, 2017–2018 In 2017 3 RAR deployed Bravo Company to Kabul Province, Afghanistan as part of Force Protection Element 8. FPE-8 provided security and protected mobility support for ADF elements located in the vicinity of Kabul, Afghanistan including trainers and mentors at the Afghanistan National Army Officer and the Kabul Garrison Command-Advisory Team. Following FPE-8 3RAR deployed Charlie Company on FPE-9 to relieve B-Coy. Mechanised infantry role, 2018 In 2017, it was announced that 3 RAR would re-role as a mechanised infantry battalion under the workforce alignment of Plan Beersheba to be equipped with M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carriers. In February 2018, 3 RAR commenced the transition which was to occur over 18 months. Solomon Islands, 2021 In 2021 3 RAR deployed to help quell escalating violence in the Solomon Islands. The contingent – made up mostly of soldiers from 3RAR – joined Australian Federal Police officers and supported critical infrastructure in the capital Honiara. Current composition The battalion currently consists of: Battalion