Lexi Webster
Australia's Special Air Service (SAS) is an elite special forces unit with a rich history and heritage. Established in 1957, the SASR has been involved in various international conflicts and peacekeeping missions, including the war in Afghanistan and the invasion of Iraq. The unit is known for its high standards and training, which can be attributed to its small size, allowing for selective recruitment, ample cross-training opportunities, and a competent professional military. The SASR has also been deployed in support of counter-terrorism operations and provided assistance during crises, such as the evacuation of United Nations staff and refugees from East Timor. However, the SASR has also faced controversies, including war crime allegations and training accident fatalities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Formation | 1957 |
| Location | Campbell Barracks in the Perth suburb of Swanbourne, Western Australia |
| Uniform | Sand-coloured beret with a metal gold and silver badge on a black shield |
| Size | Small |
| Manpower | High-quality recruits |
| Training | High standards |
| Reputation | High |
| Operations | East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq |
| Fatalities | Mostly during training accidents |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian SAS has a high reputation
The Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) has a long and proud history, dating back to its formation in 1957. The unit was established in the Perth suburb of Swanbourne, Western Australia, drawing on the experiences of several units that operated against the Japanese during World War II. The Australian SASR has since become an elite special forces unit, renowned for its high standards and professionalism.
The SASR has been involved in numerous significant operations, both domestically and internationally. Notably, they played a crucial role in the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) operations in 1999, where their capabilities were employed across a diverse range of tasks, including the evacuation of United Nations staff, Australians, and refugees from the escalating violence in East Timor. The SASR's contributions were recognized by the Governor-General, who awarded the unit the Meritorious Unit Citation for their outstanding service.
The regiment also provided essential support during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, known as Operation Falconer. The SASR's swift and successful actions enhanced Australia's standing among its allies. Additionally, the SASR has been involved in operations in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Special Operations Force, further showcasing their versatility and commitment to global security.
The Australian SASR maintains its high reputation through rigorous training and recruitment standards. The small size of the unit allows for selective recruitment, ensuring only the most qualified and capable individuals are chosen. The regiment has a pool of Army Reserve personnel, comprising former regular Army members and specialists. This dedicated and well-trained force is equipped with the necessary skills and resources to handle a wide range of challenges, contributing to their distinguished reputation on the global stage.
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The SAS's role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq
The Special Air Service (SAS) took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under the codename Operation Row, which was part of CJSOTF-West (Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – West). The US military designated the SAS element in Iraq as Task Force 14.
On 17 March 2003, two days before the invasion, the majority of B and D Squadron of the British 22nd SAS Regiment, designated as Task Force 14, crossed the border from Jordan to conduct a ground assault on a suspected chemical munitions site at a water-treatment plant in the city of al-Qa'im. It has been reported that the site might have been a SCUD missile launch site or a depot, with an SAS officer quoted as saying it was "a location where missiles had been fired at Israel in the past, and a site of strategic importance for WMD material".
On 18 March 2003, B and D Squadrons of the British 22nd SAS Regiment infiltrated Iraq in full strength, along with 1 Squadron Australian SASR, and headed for H-2 and H-3 Air Base. The combined British and Australian Squadrons took H-2 virtually unopposed. On 25 March 2003, the Australian SAS, along with the British SAS and members of Delta Force, called in airstrikes on H-3, forcing the Iraqi defenders to flee. The Coalition SOF secured H-3 and seized around 80 anti-aircraft cannon guns and a large amount of ammunition.
The Australian SAS troopers located and destroyed launch sites for Scud missiles that could have threatened coalition forces or Israel. They also fought running battles with Iraqi soldiers, employing machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and shoulder-mounted Javelin anti-tank missiles.
In April 2003, the Australian SAS captured the giant Al Asad airbase, 200 kilometres northwest of Baghdad, where they found over 50 fighter aircraft, many of which were undamaged.
Following the invasion, the SAS moved from Baghdad International Airport to MSS Fernandez in Baghdad, setting up and linking with Delta Force. In summer 2003, the SAS began Operation Paradoxical, which involved hunting down threats to the coalition.
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The unit's history and evolution
The Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) was formed in 1957 as a company modelled on the British SAS, with which it shares the motto, "Who Dares Wins". The concept of the Special Air Service, however, dates back to the Western Desert Campaign of World War II in the British Army. The 1st Special Air Service Company was established in Western Australia on 25 July 1957, with a strength of 16 officers and 144 other ranks. In 1960, the company became part of the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) and was given responsibility for commando and special forces operations.
The SASR first saw operational service on the Island of Borneo when 1 SAS Squadron deployed to Brunei during the Indonesian confrontation. In these campaigns, over 1400 patrols were mounted, reporting the movements of over 5600 enemy troops and accounting for over 500 enemy casualties in 298 contacts. The Regiment's three squadrons were rotated through Vietnam, carrying out medium-range reconnaissance patrols, observing enemy troop movements, and conducting long-range offensive operations and ambushing in enemy-dominated territory. After operations in South Vietnam, the SASR experienced an extended period of peacetime activities from 1972 to 1993.
The 1980s and 1990s saw significant development, placing the Regiment at the forefront of capability alongside its foreign counterparts. During this era, the evolution of a sophisticated recovery capability in response to the increasing trends of international terrorism took place. This capability remains the Australian government's last resort to deal with acts of politically motivated terrorism that may threaten Australian interests.
In the late 1990s, the SASR was involved in the RAAF evacuation of United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) staff, Australians, and refugees from East Timor following increasing violence by Indonesian military-backed militias. The Regiment's capabilities were employed across a wide range of tasks and significantly contributed to the shaping of the environment for conventional INTERFET forces. In recognition of these operations, the Governor-General awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation to the Squadron Group involved.
The Regiment provided the majority of the ground-force element of the Australian contribution to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, known as Operation Falconer. The SASR has also served in Somalia, Afghanistan, and many other peacekeeping missions. The unit has been involved in a number of domestic security operations and provides a counter-terrorist capability.
The small size of the SASR allows for a highly selective recruitment process, choosing from a pool of high-calibre soldiers. The unit's reputation for producing ferocious fighters and its high standing among its allies contribute to the Australian Army's professionalism.
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SAS's training and selection process
The Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) is a regular army unit within the Australian Army, with a pool of Army Reserve personnel comprised of former regular Army members or specialists. The SASR draws on the experiences of the Z Special Unit, M Special Unit, the Independent Companies, and the Coastwatchers, which operated against the Japanese in the Pacific Theatre of World War II.
The SASR was established on July 25, 1957, in Perth, Western Australia, with a strength of 160 officers and other ranks. In 1960, the company became part of the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) and took on commando and special forces operations.
The SASR has been involved in various military operations, including the evacuation of United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) staff and the Australian-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, known as Operation Falconer.
The selection and training process for the SASR is rigorous and demanding, reflecting the unit's high standards and reputation. While specific details of the selection process are not readily available to the public, it is known that the SASR recruits from a pool of highly qualified soldiers. The small size of the unit allows for selective recruitment, ensuring that only the best candidates are chosen.
The base pool of soldiers that the SASR recruits from already maintains a high standard. This is partly due to the reputation of Australian soldiers as fierce combatants, which was established during the two World Wars. Additionally, as the SASR has a high reputation to uphold, the unit is motivated to maintain its standards through rigorous training and introspection.
The SASR also benefits from cross-training opportunities with allies in North America and Europe, allowing them to learn from the best special forces units in the world. The unit can adapt and improve its training regimens by observing and seeking advice from other elite units, such as the CAG, DEVGRU, British SAS, and SBS.
The SASR's training and selection process is designed to push candidates to their limits and identify those who possess the necessary skills, physical fitness, mental toughness, and resilience to become members of this elite special forces unit.
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Controversies and war crime allegations
The Australian SASR has been involved in several controversies and war crime allegations. The most notable of these is the Brereton Report, which investigated allegations of war crimes committed by the Australian SASR in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. The report, released in November 2020, found evidence of 39 murders of civilians and prisoners by or at the instruction of members of the Australian SASR, which were subsequently covered up by ADF personnel. The report also detailed the unlawful killing and cruel treatment of non-combatants and persons hors-de-combat by Australian SASR members.
In response to the Brereton Report, the Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, announced in 2020 that 2 Squadron would be struck from the Army's order of battle due to its association with war crimes. The report and its findings have also sparked criticism and condemnation from various groups and individuals, including civil society, journalists, unions, lawyers, ex-judges, and human rights organizations, who have called for accountability and an end to whistleblower prosecutions.
The Australian government and MPs from various parties have also condemned the remarks made by Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of China, who shared a graphic image of an Australian soldier and made offensive comments. The Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, publicly demanded an apology from the Chinese government and appealed to Twitter to remove the image.
In addition to the Brereton Report, there have been other incidents of alleged war crimes by members of the Australian SASR. In 2023, former Australian SAS soldier Oliver Schulz was arrested and charged with the killing of Dad Mohammad, becoming the first Australian soldier to be charged under Australian law with a war crime. The Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization has also highlighted other incidents involving Australian soldiers in Uruzgan that were not investigated as part of the Brereton inquiry.
The Australian SASR has also faced criticism for its involvement in whistleblower prosecutions, with calls for an end to these prosecutions and the protection of whistleblowers. The case of whistleblower David McBride, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison, has been a notable example of the complexities of whistleblowing in national security cases.
The controversies and war crime allegations surrounding the Australian SASR have led to a reckoning with the legacy of war crimes in Afghanistan and a push for accountability and justice.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian SAS, or Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), is an elite special forces unit of the Australian Army.
The Australian SAS was established in 1957, drawing on the experiences of the Z Special Unit, M Special Unit, the Independent Companies, and the Coastwatchers, which operated against the Japanese during World War II.
The Australian SAS has been involved in various notable operations, including:
- The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, where they provided the majority of the ground-force element and successfully secured their area of operations.
- Operations in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Special Operations Force.
- The evacuation of United Nations staff, Australians, and refugees from East Timor during a period of increasing violence in 1999.
The Australian SAS is a regular army unit with a pool of Army Reserve personnel, including former regular Army members and specialists. The unit is based in Campbell Barracks in the Perth suburb of Swanbourne, Western Australia.
The Australian SAS has a high-class reputation for its training and standards. This is partly due to the small size of the unit, allowing for highly selective recruitment, and the overall professionalism of the Australian Army. The unit has also been recognised for its meritorious service, receiving the Meritorious Unit Citation for its outstanding contributions to INTERFET operations in East Timor. However, there have also been allegations of war crimes against members of the Australian SAS, leading to the disbandment of 2 Squadron in 2020.
