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Special Air Service

Cap Badge of the Special Air Service
Active July 22, 1941-June 30, 1946
May 1, 1947- Present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
Type Special Forces
Size Three Regiments
Part of UK Special Forces
Garrison/HQ RHQ - Credenhill, Hereford
22 SAS - Credenhill, Hereford
21 SAS(R) - London
23 SAS(R) - Birmingham
Motto Who Dares Wins
Colours Oxford and Cambridge blue
March Quick: Marche des Parachutistes Belges
Slow: Lili Marlene
Anniversaries July 22, 1941
November 17, 1941
September 21, 1941
May 1, 1947
Engagements World War II
Malayan Emergency
Falklands War
Iraq War
War In Afghanistan
Commanders
Colonel-Commandant General Charles Guthrie, Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank
Notable
commanders		 Colonel Sir David Stirling
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair Mayne
General Sir Peter de la Billière
General Sir Michael Rose
Insignia
Arm Badge Parachute Badge with Wings SAS[1]
Abbreviation SAS
WW II: SAS in their armed jeeps, during the North African campaign
WW II: SAS in their armed jeeps, during the North African campaign

The Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) is a special forces unit of the British Army. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. In most countries special forces (SF is a generic term for highly-trained Military teams/units that conduct specialized operations such as Reconnaissance The United Kingdom Special Forces ( UKSF) is a UK Ministry of Defence Directorate which also has the capability to provide a Joint Special Operations Who Dares Wins, Latin: "Qui audet adipiscitur" ( French: Qui ose gagne, German: Wer wagt gewinnt) is the " Lili Marleen " is a German love song which became popular on both sides during World War II. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Malayan Emergency was a State of emergency declared by the British colonial government of Malaya in 1948 and lifted in 1960 as well as an insurrection and The Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas/Guerra del Atlántico Sur also called the Falklands Conflict/Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7 2001 as the U General Charles Ronald Llewelyn Guthrie Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank, GCB, LVO, OBE, DL (born 17 November 1938 Colonel Sir Archibald David Stirling DSO OBE (15 November 1915 - 4 November 1990 was a Scottish Laird, Mountaineer, World Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Blair "Paddy" Mayne DSO & 3 Bars ( 11 January 1915 - 14 December 1955) was a General Sir Peter Edgar de la Couer de la Billière KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & Bar (b General Sir (Hugh Michael Rose, KCB CBE DSO QGM (born 1940 in what was then British India) often known as Mike Rose World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including In most countries special forces (SF is a generic term for highly-trained Military teams/units that conduct specialized operations such as Reconnaissance The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. A secretive institution, the SAS has served as a model for similar units fielded by other countries. Operations security (OPSEC is a process that identifies critical information to determine if friendly actions can be observed by adversary intelligence systems determines if information

The SAS forms a significant part of the United Kingdom Special Forces. The United Kingdom Special Forces ( UKSF) is a UK Ministry of Defence Directorate which also has the capability to provide a Joint Special Operations The other components of the United Kingdom Special Forces are the Special Boat Service (SBS), the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR), and the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG). The Special Boat Service ( SBS) is the Special forces unit of the British Royal Navy. The Special Reconnaissance Regiment ( SRR) is a Special Forces Regiment of the British Armed Forces, which conducts special Reconnaissance The Special Forces Support Group ( SFSG) is a special operations unit of the British Armed Forces.

Contents

Function

Current SAS roles are believed to include:[2]


UKSF with Tony Blair Iraq 2006
UKSF with Tony Blair Iraq 2006

Command, control and organisation

The Special Air Service is under the Operational Control (OPCON) of Director Special Forces and is considered a strategic asset. A Strategy is a long term plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal, most often "winning However, OPCON may be delegated to Operational and Tactical commanders as required.

The Special Air Service Regiment is a Corps of the British Army under the United Kingdom legal system which authorises the raising of military forces and comprises three battalion-sized units, one Regular and two reserve units in the Territorial Army (TA), each styled as 'regiments' in accordance with British Army practice; 22 SAS Regiment being the Regular unit, with 21 SAS Regiment (Artists Rifles) and 23 SAS Regiment as the TA reserve units, known together as the Special Air Service (Reserve) (SAS(R)). A battalion is a Military unit of around 500-1500 men usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel The Territorial Army ( TA) is the principal and Volunteer reserve force of the British Army, the land armed forces branch of the United Kingdom The Artists Rifles (originally Artists' Rifles until the apostrophe was officially dropped from the full title in 1937 as it was so often misused is a volunteer Regiment The Artists Rifles appellation comes from the amalgamation in 1947 with an unusual pre-existing TA Regiment originally raised from the artistic community at a time when the Rifle Volunteer movement was at its height. The Volunteer Force was a citizen army of part-time rifle artillery and engineer corps created as a popular movement in 1859 The Artists Rifles (originally Artists' Rifles until the apostrophe was officially dropped from the full title as it was so often misused) were of such quality they were used as an officer-producing unit in both World Wars, although the 1st Battalion fought as part of the Royal Naval Division in the latter years of World War I. The British 63rd (Royal Naval Division was a First World War division of the New Army.

UK Special Forces are supported by a signal regiment, 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment, which includes one TA squadron, 63 (SAS) Signal Squadron (Volunteers) [5] and by the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing, with 8 Flight Army Air Corps attached to 22 SAS. The Royal Corps of Signals (often simply known as the Royal Signals is one of the combat support arms of the British Army. 8 Flight Army Air Corps is one of the Independent Flights within the British Army's Army Air Corps.

Each Regiment comprises a number of "Sabre" Squadrons with some supporting functions being undertaken within 22 SAS; Headquarters, Planning, and Intelligence Section, Operational Research Section, Counter Revolutionary Warfare Wing, and Training Wing. ('Sabre' Squadrons are so called to distinguish the operational squadrons from administrative or HQ squadrons. )

22 SAS Regiment 21 SAS Regiment (Artists) 23 SAS Regiment
'HQ' (Credenhill,Hereford) 'HQ' (Regent's Park, London) 'HQ' (Kingstanding)
'A' Squadron 'A' Squadron (Regent's Park)
'B' Squadron 'C' Squadron (Basingstoke/Cambridge} 'B' Squadron (Leeds)
'D' Squadron 'E' Squadron (Newport/Exeter) 'G' Squadron (Newcastle/Manchester)
'G' Squadron[6] 'D' Squadron (Invergowrie/Hamilton)

Each 'Sabre' Squadron of 22 SAS is divided into four 16-man Troops, each with different functional responsibilities (Air Troop, Boat Troop, Mobility Troop, and Mountain Troop). Credenhill is a village and Civil parish in Herefordshire, lying on the A480 road 4½ miles north-west of the city of Hereford. Hereford ( ˈhɛrɨfəd is a city, Civil parish and County town of Herefordshire, England. For other meanings see Regent's Park (disambiguation Regent's Park (officially The Regent's Park) is one of the Royal Parks London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Kingstanding is an area in north Birmingham, England. It gives its name to a ward in the Erdington formal district. For other meanings see Regent's Park (disambiguation Regent's Park (officially The Regent's Park) is one of the Royal Parks Basingstoke is a town in northeast Hampshire, England It lies across a Valley at the source of the River Loddon. The city of Cambridge (ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England Leeds ( is located on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England Newport (Casnewydd is a city and principal area in Wales, in the United Kingdom. Exeter ( (IPA ˈeksɪtər is a city, district and County town of Devon, England. Newcastle upon Tyne ( (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, England Invergowrie is a village on the north bank of the River Tay to the west of Dundee. Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west- Central Lowlands of Scotland. A troop is a Military unit, originally a small force of Cavalry, subordinate to a Squadron and headed by the troop leader

The CRW Wing is nominally made up of the personnel drawn from a single squadron, originally designated "Pagoda", which is relieved every 6 – 9 months. The squadron is split up into two combined troops, "Red" and "Blue", with each troop made up of an assault group and a sniper team. Though the counter-terrorist teams are based at RHQ in Hereford, a specialist eight-man team is based within the outer London region (4, south London border & 4, north London border/Hertfordshire). This team rapidly responds to any situation in London as required.

'L' Detachment, formerly 'R' Squadron, is a TA unit comprising former Regular soldiers and assigned to 22 SAS for the provision of casualty replacements. Optionally it also had its own role in the event of limited or general war.

The three regiments have different roles:

Each TA Squadron and the Honourable Artillery Company (a non SF Territorial Army unit based in London), includes attached regular personnel as Permanent Staff Instructors - a ruling established by the then Brigadier Peter de la Billière, as Director SAS, specifying that promotion within the Regiment for any officer or senior NCO would be predicated on experience with the SAS(R). The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC is the oldest surviving Regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior in the The Territorial Army ( TA) is the principal and Volunteer reserve force of the British Army, the land armed forces branch of the United Kingdom General Sir Peter Edgar de la Couer de la Billière KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & Bar (b An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer) also known as an NCO or Noncom, is an enlisted member of an Armed force .

The SAS were based at Stirling Lines (formerly Bradbury Lines), Hereford which was named after the founder of the regiment, Sir David Stirling, and was initially the units base although in 1999 they moved to the former RAF Credenhill. Hereford ( ˈhɛrɨfəd is a city, Civil parish and County town of Herefordshire, England. Colonel Sir Archibald David Stirling DSO OBE (15 November 1915 - 4 November 1990 was a Scottish Laird, Mountaineer, World Credenhill is a village and Civil parish in Herefordshire, lying on the A480 road 4½ miles north-west of the city of Hereford.

Troops

'Sabre' Squadrons in 22 SAS are organised as four specialised Troops, although personnel are broadly skilled in all areas following 'Selection' and 'Continuation' training. The specialised troop provide a focus for particular skillsets and personnel may move between Troops over the length of a career. 21 and 23 SAS do not so distinguish.

Air Troop

Air Troop personnel specialise in airborne insertion from fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Leaving the aircraft at high altitude personnel are capable of delivering personnel and equipment into the deep battlespace far beyond the forward edge of battle area in support of their ISTAR or offensive operations. A front line is a line of confrontation in an Armed conflict, most commonly a War.

Personnel are trained in three principal forms of parachute infiltration; Standard conventional military automatic or static line parachuting; High Altitude Low Opening (HALO), High Altitude High Opening (HAHO), both bearing significant risk to the operator. A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag. HALO/HAHO are Acronyms that describe methods of delivering personnel equipment and supplies from a Transport aircraft at a high Altitude via Free-fall HALO/HAHO are Acronyms that describe methods of delivering personnel equipment and supplies from a Transport aircraft at a high Altitude via Free-fall HALO insertions involve a long free fall followed by canopy opening at low level, about 2,000 feet (600 m), leaving the operator exposed to detection and fire for the minimum possible period. The aircraft must overfly in the vicinity of the Drop Zone to effect delivery, risking a compromise to the mission should it be detected. HAHO insertions allow the aircraft to deliver the operators from a significantly greater range from the Drop Zone, thus reducing risk of mission compromise. Operators leave the aircraft and immediately deploy a canopy which allows a long glide over great distance. Operators are provided with an oxygen supply to survive the depleted air at high altitude and warm clothing protects from cold. Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the An altimeter is used to manage the canopy deployment and for navigation purposes.

Equipment is carried in a reduced-drag harness (CSPEP -Container, straps, personal equipment, parachutist), initially between the legs, and later lowered on a cord prior to landing. The primary weapon may be carried under the arm, ready for immediate use on landing.

Boat Troop

Boat Troop personnel specialise in water-borne insertion techniques.

Personnel are trained in diving using Open and Closed Circuit breathing systems, learning skills in navigation, approaching the shore or vessels underway and the delivery of Limpet mines. Diving off a deck into the Great South Bay of Long Islandjpg|thumb|A man dives into the Great South Bay of Long Island. Aqualung was the original name for the first open-circuit scuba diving equipment, developed by Emile Gagnan and Jacques Cousteau in 1943 A rebreather is a type of Breathing set that provides a Breathing gas containing Oxygen and recycled exhaled gas Navigation is the process of reading and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another A naval mine is a self-contained Explosive device placed in water to destroy Ships or Submarines Unlike Depth charges mines are deposited Much of this training is undertaken with the Special Boat Service of the Royal Marines. The Special Boat Service ( SBS) is the Special forces unit of the British Royal Navy.

Once proficient in diving, personnel learn methods of surface infiltration. One of the main forms of transportation is still the Klepper canoe. A folding kayak is a direct descendant of the original Inuit Kayak made of animal skins stretched over frames made from wood and bones The first SAS folding boats were designed during World War II for use by Commandos, based on existing designs. In Military science, the term commando can refer to an individual a Military unit, or a raiding style of military operation. The German Klepper has been in service since the 1960s. Other methods include the Gemini inflatable, used primarily for sending small groups of soldiers onto a shore undetected, and the fibreglass hulled Rigid Raider fast patrol boats which are larger carrying more personnel or cargo ashore. The Rigid Raider is a series of fast patrol/assault boat made by RTK Marine (part of VT Group)

Entry to the water from rotary wing aircraft and by parachute drop; the helicopter hovers some 50 feet (15 m) above the water, personnel simply jumping out. History Since 400 AD Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys. Airborne entry to the water carries a significant risk to equipment with weapons and other equipment sealed using a dry bag. A dry bag is a type of Gear bag that seals in a Waterproof manner

Deployment from submarines is taught. A submarine is a Watercraft that can operate independently below water as distinct from a Submersible that has only limited underwater capability Submarine egress bears a high risk given the effect of pressure at depth (nitrogen narcosis and oxygen toxicity), the cold, and the risks inherent in the use of mechanical breathing aids while underwater. Pressure (symbol 'p' is the force per unit Area applied to an object in a direction perpendicular to the surface Nitrogen narcosis or inert gas narcosis is a reversible alteration in Consciousness in scuba divers at depth Oxygen toxicity or oxygen toxicity syndrome (also known as the " Paul Bert effect" or the "Lorrain Smith effect" describes harmful effects caused

However whenever possible naval warfare is handed over to the SAS sister, the Special Boat Service

Mobility Troop

Mobility Troop personnel specialise in vehicle insertion techniques, similar to those of the Long Range Desert Group of the Second World War. The Special Boat Service ( SBS) is the Special forces unit of the British Royal Navy. The Long Range Desert Group ( LRDG) was a British Army unit during World War II.

Vehicle insertions allow a more sustainable patrol in the medium to deep battlespace but create logistical and force protection challenges.

Personnel are required to gain skills in vehicle maintenance across the range of vehicles used by the Regiment, particularly whilst on patrol with limited opportunity for combat support. Vehicles include the Land Rovers, Supacat HMT[8], Honda 350 cc Quad Bike, and the Honda 250 cc motorbike. Land Rover is an all-terrain vehicle and Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV manufacturer based in Solihull, England, now operated as part of the Jaguar These vehicles can be variously configured with a range of weapon systems including; Browning 0.50 calibre machine gun, Mk 19 40 mm grenade launcher, twin or single L7A2 7.62 mm GPMG , and the Javelin anti-tank guided missile. This article is about the.50 caliber M2 machine gun For the.30-06 M2 machine gun see M1919 Browning machine gun. The Mk 19 Grenade Launcher is a belt-fed automatic 40 mm Grenade launcher or grenade machine gun that entered U The MAG is a Belgian 762 mm General purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale (FN by Ernest Vervier The FGM-148 Javelin is an American -made man-portable Anti-tank guided missile. An anti-tank guided missile ( ATGM) or anti-tank guided weapon ( ATGW) is a guided Missile primarily designed to hit and destroy

Mountain Troop

Mountain Troops personnel specialise in the conduct of operations at high altitude and in mountainous terrain, requiring advanced skills in climbing, ice climbing, skiing and cold weather survival. UserStan Shebs for a timetable --> Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet (or Ice climbing, as the term indicates is the activity of ascending inclined ice formations Snow skiing is a group of sports utilizing Skis as primary equipment Training is conducted in deserts and mountain ranges around the world. Those members that show particular aptitude are seconded to the German Army where they undertake the 18-month long Alpine Guides course in Bavaria. Many training expeditions are organised. Some members of mountain troops have participated in major military and civilian expeditions - this has not been without loss[9].

Security, Honours and Awards

While all military personnel are bound by the Official Secrets Act and undergo vetting, Special Forces personnel are required to undertake a higher level of clearance. The Official Secrets Act is any of several Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for the protection of official information mainly related to National Classified information, now called Protectively Marked Information in the United Kingdom is a system used to protect information from intentional or inadvertent

On entry into the regiment personnel are required to limit dissemination of their employment. Anonymity is provided during service and personnel are not required to provide identifying details to police and authorities whilst co-operating. Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force Effectives are entitled to a 24-hour 'warm down' period following offensive action within the United Kingdom, during which they are debriefed. Members are not obliged to provide information to civilian agencies during this period.

Medals awarded to personnel, such as the Military Cross (MC), are publicised in the normal manner and officially and formally via The London Gazette however the individual's original parent Corps or Regiment, if they have such, is attributed as a matter of fact which sometimes provides security cover. A medal is usually a Coin -like sculpted object of metal or other material that has been engraved with an Insignia, Portrait or other artistic rendering The Military Cross ( MC) is the third level Military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993 other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the UK in which certain The circumstances surrounding personnel killed in action are not routinely disseminated; should this be unavoidable the individual is also usually attributed to their parent Corps or Regiment where this applies. Killed in action ( KIA or K I A) is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces by other Not all decorations are gazetted. Those that are not gazetted are held as secure records by the Ministry of Defence. Information on un-gazetted decorations prior to a moving dateline, of about thirty years prior, are routinely transferred to the United Kingdom National Archives for public inspection, or are further held back from disclosure if any security considerations or other residual sensitivities are deemed to make this advisable. Before 2006 three officers have been recommended for the VC: two during World War II and one during the Falklands. See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since Only one has been awarded; to Major Anders Frederick Emil Victor Schau Lassen, MC and 2 Bars, killed in Italy in 1945 when he was commanding a squadron of the Special Boat Service. Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau Lassen VC, MC & Two Bars (22 September 1920 - 9 April 1945 was a Danish recipient of the Victoria Cross His grave marker bears the badge of the Regiment because the SBS in which he served continued to wear this as their cap badge, and was considered part of the 'SAS family' even though it was a separate regiment, commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel and formed out of the Special Boat Squadron of 1 SAS. Another high ranking SAS officer to be awarded a second MC is now retired living in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States

In 2006 Corporal Willy Apiata New Zealand SAS was awarded a VC for his part in the 2004 rescue of his commanding officer in Afganistan and for the successful counter attack that followed.

Following a number of high-profile book releases about the Regiment, candidates for selection are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, in addition to their duties under the Official Secrets Act. The Official Secrets Act is any of several Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for the protection of official information mainly related to National Former members may not release details of their employment within the organisation without prior consent. Ex-members of the Regiment who wrote exposés prior to the introduction of the agreement have used pseudonyms, such as Andy McNab and Chris Ryan. A pseudonym is a fictitious alternative to a person's legal name (see Alias) Andy McNab DCM MM (born 28 December 1959 is a former British Soldier turned Novelist. For the actor see Christopher Ryan. Chris Ryan MM (b 1961 is a former British Soldier turned Novelist. Books in the genre include both non-fiction and fictional accounts based on the experiences of the author.

The British Government has a standing policy of not discussing the SAS or its operations and makes few official announcements concerning their activities. Her Majesty's Government, or when the monarch is male His Majesty's Government, is the title used by the Government of the United Kingdom, based at When reports of military operations are given there is usually no mention of SAS, or other Special Forces, involvement. Since the inception of the British 'D' Notice system for the British Press during World War II any mention of the Special Air Service has been one of the cautionary or non-disclosure categories of reporting.

Insignia

Insignia of SAS
Insignia of SAS

The SAS, like every other British regiment, has its own distinctive insignia.

Battle honours

Note that these officially sanctioned honours, first published in 1957, are for actions by the original 'L' Detachment, both numbered World War II British SAS regiments as well as the Special Boat Service regiment and the present regiment. Tobruk or Tubruq (طبرق also transliterated as Tóbruch, Tobruch, Ţubruq, Tobruck) is a Town, Seaport Normandy (Normandie Norman: Normaundie) is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. The World War II honours Benghazi Raid, 1942 and Middle East, 1943-1944 are unique to the regiment. The odd dating for North Africa, 1940-43 is due to the fact that this is an omnibus theatre honour for units serving between these dates.

Order of Precedence

The SAS is classed as an infantry regiment, and as such is shown in the infantry order of precedence. The Infantry is the oldest and most numerous of the Combat Arms in the Armed forces, and consists For the purposes of parading the Regular army of the British Army is listed according to an order of precedence. However, because of its role, it is listed 'next below' the other designations (foot guards, line infantry, rifles). Foot guards is a term used to describe elite Infantry Regiments British Army The Foot Guards are the Infantry Regiments of the Infantry of the Line or Line Infantry refers to the soldiers forming the bulk of any dismounted force as distinct from Guards, Light infantry and more Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a Skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of Infantry, harassing The expression 'next below' is utilised in British official publications as a form of 'grace note' to avoid the connotations of first/last since, in spirit at least, no Regiment admits of the claim to being last and all are deemed equal in the scope of their service under the Crown in Parliament.

Preceded by:
The Rifles		 Infantry Order of Precedence Succeeded by:
Last in Order of
Precedence of the Infantry

The current units are shown officially as 21st, 22nd and 23rd battalions of the Regiment but are styled 'Two-One', 'Two-Two' and 'Two-Three' and written, in short form, as 21 SAS, 22 SAS and 23 SAS. For the band The Rifles see The Rifles (band. For the novel by William T For the purposes of parading the Regular army of the British Army is listed according to an order of precedence. The number sequence derives from the 1944 re-formation of the regiments as a component, second-battalion, Regiment of the Army Air Corps which then consisted of three Regiments: The Glider Pilot Regiment (Only ever of three battalions), Parachute Regiment (Of many battalions, sequentially numbered from 1 upwards, with a separate sequence of numbers from 100 for battalions raised outside the United Kingdom) and SAS. The Army Air Corps is a component of the British Army, first formed in 1942 The Glider Pilot Regiment was a specialist British unit of the Second World War. The Parachute Regiment is the Airborne Infantry element of the British Army. 1 SAS was re-raised as 3 SAS, a decision subsequently rescinded by the War Office, giving 1st and 2nd battalions, Special Air Service Regiment, Army Air Corps. The War Office was a former department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1963 when On re-formation it was appreciated that 3 SAS, 4 SAS and 5 SAS had been used to designate the French and Belgian regiments and that combining 1 and 2 as 'Twelve' or 'Twelfth' gave a hard-to-pronounce name and would automatically give the number 13 to the next raised unit (plus confusion with existing 12th Parachute Brigade(?)) so the identity proposed by the Regimental Association and actually adopted was 'Twenty-One', i. e. , the numbers of the British units, reversed.

Alliances

Other Special Forces inspired by the SAS

The Regiment has participated in the formation of other national special forces formations, or served as an organisational model:

Former members

Notable SAS veterans include:

See also

References

  1. ^ JSP 336 3rd Edn, Vol 12 Pt 3 Clothing, Pam 15, Annex C Employment Badges. Edward Michael "Bear" Grylls (born 7 June 1974) is a British Adventurer and writer currently best known for his popular television series An adventurer or adventuress is a term that usually takes one of three meanings One whose travels are unusual and often exotic though not so unique as to qualify Terence Julian Forrestal was born on May 13, 1948, in Chesterfield Derbyshire England. Captain Gavin John Hamilton MC was the Officer Commanding (OC 19 (Mountain Troop, D Squadron, 22 Special Air Service (SAS during the Bravo Two Zero ( B20) was the Callsign of an eight-man British Army SAS patrol during the First Gulf War 1991. The Battle of Mirbat took place during the 1970s Dhofar Rebellion in Oman which was supported by Communist Guerillas from South Yemen The Iranian Embassy Siege of 1980 was a Siege of the Iranian embassy in London after it had been taken over by Iranian Arab Separatists Peter McAleese is a British ex- Paratrooper and an ex-member of the SAS. A mercenary is a person who takes part in an armed conflict who is not a national or a party to the conflict and is "motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by Andy McNab DCM MM (born 28 December 1959 is a former British Soldier turned Novelist. Simon Francis Mann (born 26 June 1952) is a security expert Mercenary and former British Army officer and South African citizen extradited A mercenary is a person who takes part in an armed conflict who is not a national or a party to the conflict and is "motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by The Republic of Equatorial Guinea ( República de Guinea Ecuatorial,) is a country in Central Africa. Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Blair "Paddy" Mayne DSO & 3 Bars ( 11 January 1915 - 14 December 1955) was a The lion ( Panthera leo) is a member of the family Felidae and one of four Big cats in the Genus Panthera. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short Bravo Two Zero ( B20) was the Callsign of an eight-man British Army SAS patrol during the First Gulf War 1991. An author is defined both as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created Lieutenant Colonel Ronald "Ron" Francis Reid-Daly (born in 1926 founded and commanded the elite Selous Scouts special forces unit that fought during the Rhodesian The Selous Scouts was a special forces regiment of the Rhodesian Army which operated from 1973 until the introduction of majority rule in 1980 Andrew Robert George Robathan (born 17 July 1951 is a British Conservative politician and Member of Parliament (MP for Blaby in Leicestershire General Sir (Hugh Michael Rose, KCB CBE DSO QGM (born 1940 in what was then British India) often known as Mike Rose For the actor see Christopher Ryan. Chris Ryan MM (b 1961 is a former British Soldier turned Novelist. Sergeant Alistair Ira Slater MM was a British Army soldier who served in B Sqn 22 Special Air Service who was killed on December 2 1984 Richard Tomlinson (born 13 January 1963) is a New Zealand -born British former MI6 officer who was notoriously imprisoned in The Special Air Service is the army component of the UK Special Forces. United Kingdom Special Forces Selection is the selection and training process for members of the United Kingdom's three Special Forces formations Special Air The following is a list of known Special Air Service (SAS operations The Special Air Service Regiment ( SASR) is a Special Forces Regiment modelled on the original British SAS and also drawing on the traditions The New Zealand Special Air Service ( NZ SAS) was formed on July 7 1955 and is a New Zealand Army Special Forces unit which was The Rhodesian Special Air Service or Rhodesian SAS refers to C Squadron Special Air Service Regiment (Second World War until 1960 "C" For the computer game see Delta Force (video game. For the movie see The Delta Force (film. Ministry of Defence (01/12/2004). Retrieved on 2007-12-26. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht.  “Parachute with wings, SAS - May be worn in perpetuity and is to be worn on Nos 5, 8, and 14 dress when serving in the SAS role. When worn with No 14 dress the top of the badge is to be placed 51 mm below the shoulder seam. ”
  2. ^ SAS: Great Britain's Elite Special Air Service
  3. ^ SAS Moves to London in Terrorism Fight - The Times (London) - January 2007
  4. ^ SAS Anti Terrorism Team
  5. ^ SAS Reserve Signals Squadron - British Army Website
  6. ^ 'G' Squadron of 22 SAS (So named because it was primarily drawn from personnel of the disbanding Guards Independent Parachute Company) is primarily made up of volunteers from the Household Division
  7. ^ Special Air Service (Reserve) - (SAS(R)). Household Division is a term used principally in the Commonwealth of Nations to describe a country’s most elite or historically senior military units or those military units MoD. Retrieved on 6 Jun 08.  “The role of SAS (R) is to provide depth to the UKSF group through the provision of:Individual and collective augmentation to the regular component of UKSF. Standalone elements up to task group (Regimental) level focused on Support and Influence (S&I) operations to assist conflict stabilisation”
  8. ^ Battlespace - In this issue
  9. ^ Tony Swierzy memorial plaque on Trig 642
  10. ^ The Originals by Gordon Stevens ISBN 978-0-09-190182-0, Page 57, "(Bob Bennet). . . . designed by Bob Tait. . . . he called it a Flaming Sword, but it became a winged dagger over the years", "(Johnny Cooper). . . . Bob Tait MM & Bar. . . . designed it. . . . . . and it's not a winged dagger. They're flames. The sword of Excalibur. When "The Winged Dagger" came out we laughed our heads off. "
  11. ^ Mills, T. F. . Special Air Service Regiment. Regiments. org. Retrieved on 2007-06-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland.
  12. ^ Mills, T. F. . Special Air Service Regiment. Regiments. org. Retrieved on 2007-06-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland.
  13. ^ *Beckwith, Charles. Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit, Avon Books, 2000. (Mass market paperback; original work published 1983. ) ISBN 0-380-80939-7
  14. ^ Belgium Special Forces Group.  “Raised: January 1942; Redesignated: July 1942, Belgian Independent Parachute Company; Redesignated: February 4th 1944, Belgian Special Air Service Squadron”
  15. ^ [1]
  16. ^ [2]
  17. ^ Israeli Special Forces History

Files available to public scrutiny at The National Archives, Kew, United Kingdom

[N]Statistics, life events and other data derived and calculated from officially published UK sources: Army List: Army Council Instructions: Army Orders; Middle East Forces Orders; Commonwealth War Graves Register; Prisoners of War of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth; Public Record Office (now The National Archives) conventionally published histories and digital records now available online.

External links

Sources/Further Information

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