The Special Air Service (SAS)

Introduction: Understanding the SAS Phenomenon

The Special Air Service (SAS) stands as one of the most famous and formidable military units in modern history. Originating in the crucible of the Second World War, it has since evolved into a professional, world-class special operations force – renowned for daring exploits, impeccable training standards, and a mystique that captures the public imagination. Within the broader United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) community, the SAS embodies a philosophy of elite performance, innovation, and adaptability. It is summarily defined by its emphasis on operating in small, highly skilled teams capable of infiltrating hostile territory, conducting precision strikes, gathering critical intelligence, and executing counter-terrorism missions with breathtaking precision.

Historical Origins: From World War II to Postwar Rebirth

Conceived on the Desert Sands

The SAS was formed in July 1941 amidst the expansive battlefields of the North African desert. It was conceived by Captain David Stirling, a British Army officer who recognized the strategic advantage of small, highly mobile raiding parties operating deep behind enemy lines. These units would undertake sabotage, reconnaissance, and direct assaults on airfields, supply depots, and other critical targets, striking where and when the enemy least expected.

Stirling drew his first men from No. 7 Commando and later from other volunteer groups. The unit’s name, Special Air Service, was originally a form of military deception: it suggested an oversized force to mislead Axis intelligence. In reality, it was a compact, unconventional outfit operating with extraordinary autonomy and creativity. Its early targets were German and Italian airfields in Libya and Egypt, and it quickly gained impressive tactical success through surprise and audacity.

Expansion and Further Deployment

As the war progressed, the SAS expanded its remit beyond North Africa to include operations in Italy, France, and the Netherlands. During these campaigns, the SAS honed skills in sabotage, guerrilla warfare, and deep reconnaissance, often partnering with resistance movements and advancing allied forces. Although disbanded after the war in 1945, the SAS’s operational legacy was firmly established.

Postwar Revival and Integration

The outbreak of new global conflicts in the late 1940s and 1950s led to the resurrection of the SAS as a permanent strategic capability. In 1947, 21 SAS Regiment was raised as a reconnaissance and surveillance unit, and in 1950 a squadron was deployed during the Malayan Emergency to counter communist insurgents. Operating deep within jungle terrain, SAS patrols excelled at stealth, survival, and engagement tactics, setting the foundation for the unit’s modern operational ethos.

Structure and Organization: The Skeleton of an Elite Force

Regiments, Squadrons, and Troops

Today’s SAS is organized into both regular and reserve components. The regular regiment, 22 SAS, operates full-time, while two reserve regiments—21 SAS and 23 SAS—provide additional personnel and capabilities. Each regiment is further divided into squadrons, and within those squadrons are troops specializing in various modes of insertion and combat: mountain, mobility, boat, and airborne troops. The structure is deliberately lean, allowing for rapid deployment and maximum operational flexibility.

Integration within UK Special Forces

The SAS is part of UKSF, which also includes units like the Special Boat Service (SBS), the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR), and support elements such as specialized intelligence and signals units. While the SAS is often the most publicly recognized, it operates in coordination with these units on complex missions that require diverse specialist skills.

“Who Dares Wins”

The SAS motto, “Who Dares Wins,” encapsulates the unit’s culture of boldness and initiative. Far from being a simplistic slogan, it reflects a deep institutional belief that carefully calculated risk, courage, and innovation can yield decisive strategic outcomes. This motto has become iconic and is as much a part of the SAS’s identity as its distinctive sand-colored beret.

Selection and Training: Forging Operators of Exceptional Skill

Rigorous Selection: The First Crucible

Becoming a member of the SAS is one of the most demanding challenges in the military world. Prospective candidates come from across the British Armed Forces — most commonly from the Army’s Parachute Regiment or the Royal Marines — and must first pass the UK Joint Special Forces Selection course. Held twice a year, this selection phase is designed to push candidates to the limits of physical endurance, mental resilience, and tactical skill. Typically, fewer than 10% of candidates reach the end.

The initial phases emphasize navigation, endurance marches over rugged terrain, timed tasks under stress, and extreme environmental exposure. Later phases include jungle training — often in harsh conditions such as in Brunei — and survival, evasion, resistance and escape (SERE) training. Candidates are constantly assessed on their decision-making, teamwork, and psychological robustness.

Post-Selection Training: Specialized Skills

For those who successfully complete selection, the journey has only begun. SAS recruits enter advanced training regimens where they learn specialized skills such as high-altitude parachuting (HALO and HAHO), close quarters battle (CQB), long-range reconnaissance, demolition, advanced medical care, and multi-domain communications. These skills prepare them for the full spectrum of operations, from silent infiltration to high-intensity direct action missions.

The SAS Ethos

The SAS emphasizes that every soldier must be both a specialist and a generalist — a versatile operator capable of independent action within small teams. This ethic ensures that every member can assume multiple roles, whether as a lead navigator on a patrol, a sniper, a communications specialist, or a medic. This flexibility is foundational to the SAS’s reputation for effectiveness across diverse theaters of operation.

Roles and Missions: The Breadth of SAS Operations

The SAS is a multi-role force with responsibilities that span traditional and non-traditional military operations. Whereas conventional infantry might emphasize large unit movements and set-piece battles, the SAS operates in small teams with strategic objectives. These objectives often involve precise strikes, clandestine surveillance, or direct engagement with high-value targets.

Deep Reconnaissance and Intelligence Gathering

In many missions, SAS teams are inserted deep behind enemy lines to gather real-time intelligence on troop movements, infrastructure, and strategic targets. These operations require long periods of stealth and observation, sometimes over vast distances and in extreme conditions. The intelligence gathered by SAS patrols can be decisive in shaping broader military campaigns.

Counterterrorism and Hostage Rescue

Perhaps no operation has better etched the SAS into public consciousness than its role in counterterrorism. The Counter-Terrorist Wing (CTW), also known historically as the Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) Wing, specializes in hostage rescue, close combat, and CQB missions. Its training in precision entry, dynamic assault, and sniping is globally respected, and it often collaborates with domestic law enforcement forces when civilian safety is at stake.

Special Reconnaissance and Sabotage

Beyond intelligence collection, SAS teams are trained to conduct sabotage operations against enemy logistics, communications, and weapon systems. These missions often take place without direct support from larger friendly forces, requiring operators to balance risk and reward with extreme prudence and coordination.

Training and Support for Allied Forces

The SAS also plays a role in capacity building by training special forces and military units from allied nations. Through joint exercises and advisory roles, SAS operators disseminate their expertise in tactical operations, survival techniques, and leadership development.

VIP Protection and Security Advisory

On occasion, the SAS provides close protection for dignitaries and high-profile individuals or offers strategic advisory support to government leaders on security matters. Although less dramatic than combat operations, these duties require refined professionalism and an understanding of broader political considerations.

Notable Operations and Campaigns

Spanning more than eight decades, the SAS has participated in a remarkable array of missions that illustrate its adaptability and tactical reach.

The Iranian Embassy Siege (1980)

One of the most iconic episodes in SAS history occurred in London in 1980 when armed militants seized the Iranian Embassy. After negotiations broke down, the SAS conducted a daring nighttime assault — storming the building, neutralizing the terrorists, and rescuing hostages. The success of this mission showcased world-class tactics, precision execution, and international strategic impact.

The Falklands Conflict (1982)

During the conflict between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, SAS teams were deployed for reconnaissance, raids, and strategic disruption. Their knowledge of terrain and stealth techniques contributed to critical successful operations in a harsh and remote environment.

Gulf War and Iraq (1990s–2000s)

In the early 1990s, SAS units participated in Operation Desert Storm, operating in the deserts of Iraq and Kuwait to provide reconnaissance, disrupt Scud missile deployments, and apply pressure on enemy forces. Later, during the Iraq War (2003–2011), SAS task forces conducted precision raids and counterinsurgency operations in urban centers such as Baghdad and Basra.

Afghanistan Campaign (2001–2020)

The SAS played a vital role as part of coalition operations in Afghanistan. Their missions included training local forces, hunting high-value targets, and performing reconnaissance in challenging mountainous terrain. SAS operators adapted to counter-insurgency environments, blending intelligence, direct action, and training roles with allied special forces.

Northern Ireland (1969–2007)

SAS involvement during The Troubles in Northern Ireland represents one of the longest operational commitments in its history. SAS teams conducted covert surveillance, intelligence gathering, and strike missions against paramilitary groups, including the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA). Their presence was strategic and sustained, addressing a complex and politically fraught conflict.

Global Influence: The SAS Effect on Modern Special Forces

From the early days of independent raids in North Africa, the SAS has influenced the formation and doctrine of special forces around the world. Its pioneering approach to small-unit tactics, stealth infiltration, and high-stakes missions set the blueprint followed by many elite units. Examples include the U.S. Delta Force, Australia’s SASR, and similar formations in Canada, Germany, and beyond.

Controversies and Ethical Considerations

No discussion of the SAS is complete without acknowledging its controversies. Like many elite military units operating in secret and in conflict zones, the SAS has faced allegations of misconduct and legal scrutiny.

In recent years, reports have emerged of investigations into alleged unlawful killings in conflict zones such as Afghanistan and Syria. These reports highlight the tension between operational secrecy, legal oversight, and ethical accountability. Governments emphasize adherence to strict standards of conduct and regular reviews of allegations, but these episodes continue to fuel debate about transparency, oversight, and the limits of military force in asymmetrical warfare contexts.