The regiment has its genesis in the amalgamation of two previously independent
batteries at
Woodside Barracks in South Australia. On 2 June 1969, the 111th LAA Battery and 110th LAA Battery were grouped together to become the 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. The 111th had been raised in 1957 and had served in Malaysia during
Confrontation during 1964–1966, while the 110th had been raised in 1965 and replaced the 111th in Malaysia in June 1966, but returned to Australia shortly afterwards after the conflict came to an end. Upon formation, the regiment was initially equipped with the
QF 40 mm Mark XII anti-aircraft gun and was placed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel D.J. Ashmore. Again in October 2008, the 110th Air Defence Battery was deployed as Golf Company, Timor Leste Battle Group Five, led by the
5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment returning to Australia in June 2009. On 9 December 2011, the 16th Air Defence Regiment was amalgamated with the 1st Ground Liaison Group to form the 16th Air Land Regiment. On 1 March 2010, the 16th Air Defence Regiment became part of the re-raised
6th Brigade. Later in December 2010 the unit deployed a contingent on
Operation Slipper in
Afghanistan, to man a
Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system at the Multi National Base, Tarin Kot, once Australian forces assumed this responsibility from the Dutch. In 2012,
GIRAFFE radars were also deployed. The majority of Australian forces withdrew from the Multi National Base Tarin Kot in December 2013. In July 2016, it was announced that C-RAM would be deployed to support
Task Group Taji in Iraq. In July 2018, the regiment participated in
Exercise Pitch Black alongside
Royal Australian Air Force assets and personnel. The regiment has regularly provided personnel to
Operation Mazurka, Under project Land 19 Phase 7B, the regiment will receive the
National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System, which is scheduled for introduction in 2022–2023. On 2 June 2019, the 16th Air Land Regiment was renamed the 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. It was transferred to the new
10th Brigade in December 2024. Full operational capability for the NASAMS system is scheduled for 2026. ==Structure==