The Australian Special Air Service Regiment, often known as the SAS or SASR, is a special forces formation of the Australian Army.
The unit is based at Campbell Barracks in Swanbourne, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia
Organisation
Australian Special Air Service Regiment
History
The history of Australia's "Special Forces" can be traced as far back as the 1940s when Australian soldiers were part in AIB or Allied Intelligence Bureau. However it wasn't until July 25, 1957, when the Army turned to Major W. Gook, that a proper "Special Forces" unit was formed. Major Gook was put in charge of a new unit: the 1st Special Air Service Company (Royal Australian Regiment). The total strength of the Company was only 180 men at first. On August 20, 1964, the SAS finally became a full Regiment consisting of three "Sabre" Squadrons, a Training Squadron, and a Headquarters. The SASR was modelled after the British SAS.
The SAS had previously worn a red beret (indicating them as a Parachute Company) with the Infantry Corps Cap Badge. In 1966, the SAS was given permission to change over to the beige beret. However since most of the SASR were deployed to Borneo at the time, all they could get were the British SAS berets with the cloth Winged Dagger emblem on them. Later on that year the cloth patch was replaced by a black flash and a solid gold metal Winged Dagger emblem on top of it.
The SASR was first deployed to Brunei in 1965. It was 1 Squadron and would also be the first to see active duty. Later on in that same year 1 Squadron would also be deployed to Borneo. The British had already been in Borneo for some time. The first request by the British Government for Australian SASR help was declined. However, as the "conflict" grew the SASR was brought in. The SASR was tasked with stopping the communist Indonesian troops from taking over Borneo. They often worked along side there British and New Zealand counterparts.
The conflict of Borneo was a tough one for Australian troops. They soon found themselves living in the jungle, sometimes on patrols for months. They learned how to track the enemy, lay ambushes, and defeat him at his own games. This would prove effective again later in Vietnam. Another way the SASR defeated the enemy was to win the "hearts and minds" of locals. The local tribesmen would usually help in any way they could, and the SASR provided needed repairs, medical treatments, and food for the villagers. This was to prove very effective. The main threat came from a group known as RPKAD. The RPKAD were known for being extremely brutal. They wore a cap badge which depicted a set of Airborne Wings with a dagger through them. This is on top of an octagon. The RPKAD were usually noticed because of this cap badge. The RPKAD is the forerunner to today's KOPASSUS (read below for more recent information). The war lasted until 1966. Three SASR men died while on active service in Borneo, however none died from direct enemy contact.
The SAS soon found themselves in action again, this time in Vietnam. 3 Squadron was the first squadron to be deployed to Vietnam. The SASR was sent in again to help the Americans fight off the communist government of North Vietnam from overtaking South Vietnam. The SASR once again began the long patrols deep into the think jungles. They lived like the enemy. The also started a "Hearts and Minds" campaign again. The SASR suffered the same types of problems as the Americans. The enemy hid amongst the civilians who were scared to turn them over. They did however use captured VC (Viet Cong) and NVA (North Vietnam Army Regulars) to help them locate the enemy. The SASR soon started operating with American SEAL (SEa-Air-Land) Teams and Special Forces. The SASR also helped with the American Recondo School and with MAC-V-SOG missions. The Recondo School was started in Australia, and the principals were passed on to the Americans. The Patrol Course the SASR runs today is similar to that of the Recondo School. The bond between the SASR and the different American Special Operations units is still strong today. The SASR fought this war in Vietnam until 1971. 4 SASR soldiers died during accidents, one died months later from gun shot wounds received, and one is still MIA (although now presumed dead).
In 1991 a small team of Australian SAS soldiers returned to Cambodia (an area where in the 1960s and '70s the SASR had operated in against them). It was a UN team sent in to help make peace between the Cambodian people. They did several other tasks such as mine clearing, guarding ancient monuments (which were favourite targets of the enemy), gave medical aid, made repairs, and other such tasks. The first group consisted of 8 SASR soldiers, more came later.
SASR Soldiers also took part as observers in other parts of the world ranging from India to Lebanon to Sinai. These missions usually went without much action. Some SASR soldiers also signed up for the Rhodesian SAS (no longer in existence) during the mid 1970s. These men may have been on leave or may have already left the SASR but were still looking for action. Many were veterans of the Borneo and Vietnam Wars. The Australian Government did not condone this.
The SASR was called up again 1994. They were being sent to Somalia, a small African country. It was called Operation Iguana. It was J Troop, 3 Squadron who was called. The men had several tasks:
These were just a few of their tasks. The men soon earned the nickname "Gerbils". During a Mobile Patrol, a group of Somali men raised their weapons at the patrol and took aim. Before they could squeeze the trigger a young trooper shot off a three round burst from his Minimi 5.56 Machine Gun and killed two instantly. This was the first "Official" kill since Vietnam.
In 1994 and 1995 the SASR was sent to Rwanda to help the UN. Their job was to provide medical aid to the sick and wounded. Thousands of refugees were seeking help. The skilled SASR medics soon proved their worth. They saved hundreds of lives. One man, Jon Church, stood out amongst them. He was a dedicated soldier and good medic. Soon after returning to Australia Church died in the Blackhawk helicopter crash on June 12, 1996.
The SASR is rumoured to have taken part in the 1991 Gulf War. It is known that several members were "attached" to 22 SAS. However rumours have surfaced that the SASR also acted independently. In 1998 110 members of the SASR and the NZ SAS were again called up when Saddam threatened more violence. They were deployed, but their roles are still classified.
The SASR suffered a hard blow in 1996. 1 Squadron was preparing for a CT exercise. They boarded two Blackhawk Helicopters. During the flight, the helicopters collided, killing 15 members of the Regiment.
The SASR was deployed to East Timor (1999). The SASR is tasked with VIP Protection, LRRP (Long Range Recon. and Patrol) missions, and manning Op posts. The main enemy in this conflict was Indonesian Government forces, and more specifically the KOPASSUS. The KOPSASSUS are directly related to the RPKAD of the Borneo conflict. They have trained with the Australian SASR and the American Special Forces and SEALs. The SASR was also responsible for surveying beaches with the Australian Clearance Divers. Two soldiers are also rumoured to have been wounded in a firefight with several militia, however no evidence has come to light.
SASR troops were on call for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The troops had been preparing for this since 1997. The soldiers had done full scale hostage rescue exercises among other things. More recently, nearly 100 members of the SASR were deployed in Afghanistan in the war against Al-Qaeda.
The SASR has been involved many other operations we may never know about. However they are there, behind the scenes. The SASR has, for many years, been involved in VIP Protection in Australia and abroad. Many of these operations go unnoticed.
Recent Operations
The SAS were involved in the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The details of their involvement in both operations were kept secret. However, it is known that they operated in small groups, mostly performing surveillance and calling in air strikes. As far as the Iraq campaign went, media claims that they were involved in preventing the use of Iraqi Scud missiles were made but not confirmed.
Perhaps their most politically controversial use was in mid-2001 when they were involved in the seizure of the MS Tampa, a Norwegian cargo vessel that had picked up asylum-seekers whose boat had sunk, and which was seeking to enter Australian waters.
See also
External links
Last updated: 05-06-2005 15:07:37
