[🇬🇧] Special Air Service (SAS)

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The SAS is famous around the world. Its highly trained men are renowned for their skills in covert surveillance, close-combat fighting and hostage rescue. It began life in July 1941 from an unorthodox idea and plan by Scots Guards Lieutenant David Stirling, who was serving with No 8 (Guards) Commando, for small teams of parachute trained soldiers to operate behind enemy lines to gain intelligence, destroy enemy aircraft and attack their supply and reinforcement routes.

Following an impromptu meeting to air his views with Major General Ritchie, the Deputy Chief of Staff, he was able to meet the new C-in-C Middle East, General Auchinleck who liked his plan and it was endorsed by the Army High Command. At that time there was a deception organisation already in the Middle East area, which wished to create a phantom Airborne Brigade to act as a threat to enemy planning of operations. This deception unit was known as “K Detachment Special Air Service Brigade” and Stirling’s unit was to be the “offensive arm” and be known as “L Detachment SAS Brigade”.

Following extensive training at Kabrit camp, by the Nile, “L Detachment” undertook its first parachute operation on enemy airfields at Gazala and Tmimi on 16/17 November 1941. Although this operation conducted in very heavy winds was not a success, David Stirling’s enthusiasm and endeavour paid off and the Detachment was allowed to expand, recruiting from the Layforce Commando, which was in the process of disbandment.

Using the transport of the Long Range Desert Group and later its own jeeps, the Detachment achieved great success attacking enemy airfields and convoys. Following its successes it was again expanded in September 1942 and officially designated 1st SAS Regiment, with Lieutenant Colonel David Stirling DSO in command. The Regiment comprised three Squadrons, plus a fine Free French Detachment under George Bergé and another fine unit the Greek Sacred Squadron under Christodoulas Tsigantes as part of the command Overall the SAS destroyed and put out of action over 400 enemy aircraft. Unfortunately, David Stirling was captured in January 1943 during SAS operations in southern Tunisia and as the North African campaign drew to a close, his depleted 1st SAS Regiment was formed into the “Special Raiding Squadron” under Major R B (Paddy) Mayne and the “Special Boat Squadron” under Major the Earl Jellicoe. David Stirling ultimately ended up as a prisoner in Colditz Castle. For his distinguished actions whilst a prisoner he was made an OBE.

In May 1943 the founder’s brother Lieutenant Colonel William Stirling raised a 2nd SAS Regiment in Philippeville, Algeria. At the end of the North African campaign in 1943, both the Special Raiding Squadron and the 2nd SAS Regiment served in Sicily and Italy. The Special Boat Squadron operated with great success in the Aegean and the Balkans for the remainder of the war As the Special Boat Service, comprising 3 Squadrons, it was finally disbanded in 1945.

SAS jeeps in Italy

Parachute re-supply drop

In early 1944 the 1st and 2nd SAS Regiments returned to the UK and joined a newly formed SAS Brigade of the Army Air Corps. The other units in the Brigade comprised two French SAS Regiments (3rd and 4th) and one Belgium Independent Parachute Company (5th). The Brigade was at the forefront of the action with the Normandy landings in June 1944, serving behind the enemy lines in jeeps assisting the French Resistance, as well as in support of Allied Armed Forces. It continued to serve with great distinction through Belgium, Holland and Germany until the end of the European War in May 1945.

Colonel David Stirling DSO, OBE returned from Colditz Castle and assumed duties as Deputy Commander of the SAS Brigade in July, and mooted the idea for the British SAS Regiments to be sent out to the Far East theatre of war. The 1st and 2nd SAS Regiments had returned from Norway in August 1945 and following the sudden conclusion of Far East hostilities in September, both Regiments were disbanded during October.

Bill and Major David Stirling[Founder of the S.A.S] in the Scots Guards

Major R B (Paddy) Mayne commander of the “Special Raiding Squadron”

Ian Fenwick and members of 1st SAS in France 1944

SAS founder Major David Stirling (right) greets a patrol on its return from a mission, 1942 [Image (C) IWM.]

Operations in Europe​

In October 1942, the unit was renamed 1st Special Air Service. The following April it was reorganized into the Special Raiding Squadron and undertook raids in Sicily and Italy alongside the 2nd Special Air Service, which came into existence in May 1943 in Algeria. In 1944, these two units were placed under the umbrella Special Air Service Brigade and were joined by the 3rd, 4th and 5th Special Air Service. The latter were formed by renaming Free French and Belgian parachute units. The brigade’s formations took part in many operations, frequently behind enemy lines, from D-Day (June 1944) until the German surrender in May 1945. But shortly after the war, the SAS was disbanded.

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Re-established​

In 1947, the SAS was re-formed. This time it consisted of just one Territorial Army (TA) unit - 21st Battalion, Special Air Service Regiment (Artists Rifles). In 1951, Z Squadron of 21st SAS was deployed during the Malayan Emergency (1948-60). That squadron fought under the name of the Malayan Scouts. In 1952, it was absorbed into the regular Army as 22nd SAS Regiment. This marked the only time a regular unit has ever been formed out of a TA unit. Many of the first volunteers were Rhodesians and New Zealanders. In 1959, a third SAS unit was formed - again a TA force - known as 23rd SAS Regiment. This was a re-naming of the Reserve Reconnaissance Unit, successors to MI9, whose members were experts in escape and evasion.

Nanga Gaat, an SAS forward base on the Rejang River, North Borneo, 1964

 

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Brief Timeline:​

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1948-60​

Malayan Emergency​

Brigadier Mike Calvert, a Chindit veteran, raises the Malayan Scouts (SAS) to undertake jungle patrols and defeat a communist revolt in Malaya.

1962-76​

Dhofar Rebellion​

SAS troops help safeguard the ruling regime and its oil by fighting a guerrilla war against communist rebels in the barren hills and deserts of southern Oman.

1963-66​

Indonesian Confrontation​

The SAS resists Indonesian attempts to cross the frontier. It also mounts secret cross-border raids into Kalimantan to pre-empt Indonesian attacks.

1963-67​

Aden Emergency​

SAS units carry out covert operations against Arab nationalists in Aden city and against rebel tribesmen in the mountainous Radfan region.

1969-2007​

The Troubles​

The SAS carry out several surveillance operations and ambushes against Republican terrorists in Northern Ireland.

1980​

Iranian Embassy siege​

An SAS unit rescues 19 hostages held by armed terrorists from the Iranian Embassy in London.

1982​

Falklands War​

SAS troops conduct covert surveillance of Argentine positions prior to the British landing and attack the Pebble Island air strip.

An SAS jeep patrol in the Radfan, c1965

Warrant Officer David Harvey, who was engaged in covert surveillance in the Falklands, with fellow SAS troops, 1982

Recent deployments​

SAS units served during the Gulf War (1990-91) where they were assigned to hunt down and disarm mobile missile units. The regiment returned to Iraq in 2003 after being deployed on hostage rescue missions in Sierra Leone (2000). The SAS was also heavily engaged against the Taleban in Afghanistan (2001-14).

SAS troops having been dropped by helicopter into an Afghan valley, c2006

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Special Air Service Organization​

The 22nd Special Air Service regiment (22 SAS) comprises of 4 active 'sabre' squadrons : A, B, D, & G, each made up of around 60 men. Each Squadron is made up of 4 troops with each troop specializing in certain areas of expertise.

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The 22nd Special Air Service Regiment is organized in the following way:
Sabre Squadrons: 22 SAS is divided into 4 main Squadrons - A,B, D & G. Each squadron is divided into 4 specialized troops and a command/HQ element.

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HQ Element: Comprising officers and support staff:

At the head of each squadron is the OC (Officer Commander), usually an Army major.

The 2nd in Command, or 2ic, with the rank of captain.
Operations Officer

Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM)

Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant (SQSM)

Staff Sergeant

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Troops:
SAS troops comprise of 16 men, led by a captain.

There are 4 troops within each squadron, each specializing in a different method of insertion. The troops are Air Troop, Boat Troop, Mountain Troop and Mobility Troop. Non-officers who pass SAS selection lose their previous rank and are assigned the rank of trooper. Troops are numbered e.g. B Squadron comprises 6,7,8 and 9 Troops. Each troop consists of a number of 4-man patrols, each typically led by a corporal.

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Each squadron will rotate through different roles:
counter terrorism: one squadron is on alert to deal with any terrorist threat within the U.K.
squadron training: consisting of training exercises to teach new recruits the ropes and hone the skills of the veterans.
contingency / 'strip duty: on standby to respond to any emergency anywhere in the world
Operational deployment: during peacetime an SAS Squadron would often perform so-called 'team tasks' - small teams deployed on a diverse range of operations, including training and advising foreign militaries, close protection operations etc.

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Other Elements
There are some smaller elements within the SAS.

Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) Wing
The CRW wing is a specialised unit created during the 70s to prepare the SAS for its counter terrorism (CT) role. The CRW developed advanced pistol shooting techniques, explosive entry methods and room clearing drills for use by the anti-terrorst team. The CRW is responsible for training whichever squadron is on counter-terrorism standby duties.

The CRW Wing includes a Bodyguard Cell, responsible for training SAS operators in VIP close protection techniques.

Operations Research Wing.
The Operations Research Wing usually comprises of a couple of experienced SAS men who's job it is to evaluate and develop new equipment, weapons and techniques. Working with MOD technicians and scientists, the cell ensure that the Regiment stay on the cutting edge. The cell came up with the concept of Stun Grenades during the 70s. These stun grenades, or 'Flash Bangs' have since been adopted by militaries and police forces around the world.

Northern Ireland Troop

During the Troubles, the SAS provided a troop-sized unit for deployment to Northern Ireland. Initially, the Northern Ireland team comprised of a troop from the anti-terrorist team and would deploy for 6-9 months. Later, the troop was drawn from all 4 squadrons and deployed on 12 month tours.

Revolutionary Warfare Wing (RWW) [E-Squadron as of 2022]

Not to be confused with the CRW, the RWW, or 'The Wing', is an elite cadre of hand-picked SAS operators tasked with supporting Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) operations.

Along with contingents from other elite units including the Special Boat Service, Joint Support Group and Special Reconnaissance Regiment, this shadowy group, reportedly referred to by SIS as 'The Increment', carries out special operations as directed by SIS / The Foreign Office. Roles include acting as bodyguards / backup to SIS operatives, extraction of SIS personnel as well as so-called 'black operations' - examples of which include fermenting unrest and causing uprisings in foreign countries.

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Air Troop / Freefall Troop​

Air Troop , also known as 'Freefall Troop', are the Regiment's freefall parachuting specialists, tasked with jumping behind enemy lines, either on their own missions or to pave the way for other squadron troops. The very first SAS mission of World War 2 had the regiment parachuting into the African desert to destroy German installations.

The modern day Special Air Service Air Troops use several methods of parachute insertion.

HALO - High Altitude Low Opening - In which the SAS men jump from high altitude (30,000 ft or higher), beyond visual range of anyone on the ground. The jumpers freefall most of the way down. Chutes are only deployed at the last minute to prevent them being spotted, although the audible crack of opening chutes may alert nearby enemy forces. HALO jumpers must wear special helmets attached to oxygen bottles on the descent.

HAHO - High Altitude High Opening - In which the parachutists deploy their chutes at high altitude. Using steerable chutes, HAHO jumpers can glide a long distance. The advantage of HAHO is that it allows deeper penetration of enemy territory that may otherwise be too dangerous to risk a plane over. The downside is that it requires the jumpers to work on oxygen for longer, with all the inherent risks. There is also the likelihood that the troop would get separated on the descent. To test the HAHO concept, a group of SAS parachutists once glided across the English Channel, successfully traversing the 30 miles between England and France.

HALO jumpers - note the 'square' steerable chute and the bergens suspended beneath the troopers.

Static Line - A technique that dates back to World War 2 but still could be called on today, static line jumping is performed from a much lower altitude than HALO/HAHO and requires the jumpers to hook onto a line which automatically pulls the parachute's rip cord on exit.

For HALO/HAHO jumps SAS skydivers use square-type RAM parachutes which are more maneuverable than the standard round chutes. The square chutes also allow for softer, controlled landings. Typically an SAS parachutist will skydive with their bergen fixed to their knees, releasing and lowering it on a chord just before landing.

There's speculation that there are classified agreements between British Airways and the SAS that would allow the use of BA planes in certain circumstances to deliver men via HALO or HAHO jumps. The thinking is that a British Airways plane, probably a cargo type without passengers, may be used to deliver a covert team, perhaps faking an emergency that takes it into restricted airspace. The SAS team would stealthily deploy out from the cargo hold. Once out, the 'civilian' jet would then miraculously solve its emergency and resume course. Many BA pilots are ex-military and there's much cooperation between the SAS and the airline in the counter-terrorism arena so the idea is, perhaps, not so far fetched.

Air Troop also employ less conventional forms of air insertion such as micro-lites and powered parachutes.

 

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Boat Troop​

SAS Boat Troops are the regiment's amphibious experts. They specialise in amphibious insertion via various small boats. They have a similar, but not identical, role to the Royal Marine's Special Boat Service (SBS).

Boat Troop's role covers many aspects of amphibious warfare, although the emphasis is on amphibious insertion/extraction. Due to their overlapping roles, there is close cooperation and cross-training between Boat Troop and the SBS. A bitter rivalvry exists between the 2 special forces units but despite this, it was a combined forces of SBS/SAS troops that intercepted and stormed the MV Nisha cargo ship in 2001.


The men of Boat Troop are highly skilled in :

• Insertion and extraction of patrols via small boats
• Covert infiltration via shallow diving using rebreathers
• Underwater demolitions, including attacking ships in harbours with magnetic limpet mines
• Maritime Counter-Terrorism (MCT) - likely to be joint SAS/SBS operations.

SAS Boat Troop diving equipment includes close-circuit LAR-V Draeger rebreather devices.

Boats​

The range of boats available to Boat Troop include :
Inflatable Raiding Craft

Small rubber Inflatables, usually powered by single outboard motors. They can be stowed deflated aboard motherships until just before launch, or airdropped into the sea before inflation. They can also be inflated on the decks of surfaced submarines.


Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBS)

RIBs are soft-skinned inflatable tubes attached to rigid hulls made of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). Known models include Arctic / Pacific boats in 22 ft / 28 ft versions. RIBs can carry up to 15 fully laden troopers at speeds up to 35 kt. Weapons and secure communications gear can be installed on the RIBs. Boat Troop use RIBs for river patrols, shore insertion/extraction and ship boarding.

Rigid Raiders

These fast and light boats with hulls made from GRP are almost unsinkable.

 

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Mobility Troop​

Experts in the use of vehicles and heavy support weapons, the men of mobility troop provide the SAS with the ability to move around the battlefield and pack a big punch, independently of other forces.

Since their inception in the deserts of Northern Africa during World War 2, the Special Air Service has employed vehicles. Fixing multiple machine guns to jeeps, the SAS would drive onto German airfields, shoot up the parked planes and ammo stores, then retreat into the desert. Mobility troop ensures that the skills required for such operations stay intact within the squadrons.

Those members of the SAS who are assigned to Mobility Troop become masters of the various required disciplines, including :

• Basic mobility: Getting heavily laden vehicles over all kinds of terrain.
• Maintaining and repairing the vehicles.: When operating often deep behind enemy lines calling the RAC is not permitted! Mobility troop members go on extensive REME (Royal Electric Mechanical Engineers) training courses to gain their skills at maintaining vehicles.
• Navigation: SAS mobile operations often take place often over featureless terrain. Modern day SAS troopers have access to electronic navigation aids such as GPS (Global Positioning System) but must be able to fall back on more basic skills such as map reading and navigating by the stars.
• Logistics: Long missions behind enemy lines and away from re-supply require strict rationing of fuel, ammo and other stores. Everything needed for a mission has to be carefully loaded onto the vehicles before leaving.
• Use of heavy support weapons. : An SAS fighting column of 8 vehicles can, when used correctly, attack with the firepower and effect of a much larger unit. Heavy weapons such as mortars, anti-tank missiles, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers can be brought to bear on the enemy whilst other elements push forward. These heavy weapons can be fired from the vehicles or dismounted and used on foot.

Vehicles​

Some of the vehicles in Mobility Troop's inventory include:

Land Rover 110 Desert Patrol Vehicle​

A special version of the standard army Land Rover, SAS 110s, or 'pinkies', are usually festooned with machine guns and other weapons. Please note these have been phased out in favour of the Supacat Jackal and Jackal II:

Bushmaster IMV

Longline LSV

Unimog U1100​

Motorcycles​

SAS Land Rover columns are accompanied by several motorcycle outriders. SAS motorcyclists scout ahead and around the main column, searching for the enemy and finding routes. In covert environments where radios aren't used, the outriders pass information between the wagons.

Snow Vehicles​

Mobility troop operate several vehicles designed for arctic conditions including snow mobiles and tracked vehicles such as the Hagglunds BV 206D. The SAS Sabre Squadrons would regularly practice in Norway as part of their NATO commitment was protecting Europe's Northern Flank against a Soviet advance.

 

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Special Air Service (SAS) - Mountain Troop​

Experts in mountain climbing and arctic warfare, SAS Mountain Troops are trained to survive and fight in extreme conditions. Mountain troop's skills can be called on anywhere from the frozen hills of Norway to the mountains of Afghanistan.

Mountain troopers train in various European climbing schools such as the German Alpine Guides course at the Mountain Warfare School at Mittenwald, reaching a proficiency that rivals the best climbers in the world. Many serving and ex-SAS men go on climbing expeditions up some of the world's highest mountains, including Everest.

During the cold war, Mountain Troop's skills would have been required in Norway, guarding Nato's northern flanks against an expected Soviet push. Their skills have been put to the test during the 1982 Falklands conflict and, more recently, in the mountain ranges of Afghanistan, where their training in the disciplines of high-altitude warfare paid off.

The men of Mountain Troop are highly skilled in:

• Scaling sheer cliffs and rock faces
• Arctic survival techniques
• Long distance skiing

Such skills allow the SAS to reach areas that most sensible people would consider inaccessable and to attack the enemy from unexpected directions. Mountain troop climbers use a range of specialised climbing equipment that includes:

• special climbing shoes with sticky rubber soles
• climbing harnesses
• carabiners for hooking onto climbing rope lines
• nuts - metal wedges that fit into cracks, used to secure climbing lines