officially abbreviated commonly known elite special operations force australian_army formed originally modelled british sharing motto wins draws experiences independent companies special units world war based suburb perth western australia regiment direct command unit involved operations borneo indonesia malaysia confrontation vietnam war kuwait iraq afghanistan missions provides counter terrorist capability involved number domestic security operations role tasks capabilities direct command unit special forces unit australian_army tasked provide special operations capabilities support includes providing unique capabilities support sensitive strategic operations special recovery operations advisory training assistance special reconnaissance precision strike direct action primarily structured conduct covert long range reconnaissance surveillance small teams enemy controlled territory commando units utilised conduct raids larger groups addition conventional conflicts regiment tasked maintaining specialist counter terrorist capability capabilities include training local indigenous forces recovery australian citizens humanitarian assistance trained counter operations special reconnaissance long range reconnaissance role typically operates small patrols operators task enemy held territory providing intelligence enemy activities capabilities tasks seeks evade confront enemy soldiers direct fire support including air strikes destroy enemy installations disrupt kill enemy forces possible reconnaissance patrols inserted air helicopter standard parachute halo land foot vehicle sea including submarine small boats closed circuit breathing apparatus proven capable covering large distances staying concealed jungle desert mountain terrain patrols conduct sabotage short duration raids high value targets including headquarters airfields communications counter terrorism special recovery primary roles regiment provide counter terrorist capability element forming australia domestic west 2nd commando regiment provides east tag west maintains short notice capability conduct military operations scope state federal police tactical groups offensive counter terrorist operations include direct action hostage recovery capability board ships whilst underway shore oil platforms maintained tag kept high readiness period months replaced squadron role history early years draws experiences independent companies special units operated japanese world war units disbanded soon war australian military observing operations 1950s australian_army decided raise unit 1st established july suburb perth western australia strength officers ranks company given responsibility commando special forces operations organisation adopted australian_army time regiment primary wartime role divisional level reconnaissance august gained regimental status expanded sabre squadrons headquarters link raising squadron approved april overall expansion australian_army borneo saw action force stationed north borneo australian operated alongside british new_zealand counterparts operations aimed stopping indonesian malaysia taking operation squadron conducted reconnaissance patrols february july conducted cross border operations july suffered fatality june soldier elephant squadron completed operations august returned australia squadron arrived borneo january month deployment despite suspension operations conducted reconnaissance patrols cross border operations undertaking total patrols sides border march soldiers drowned river crossing july squadron relieved british squadron returned australia august despite deployed reconnaissance role killed indonesian soldiers series contacts soldiers killed operations vietnam based responsible providing intelligence 1st forces operating province provinces squadrons rotated vietnam year long deployments completing tours squadron withdrawn missions included medium range reconnaissance patrols observation enemy troop movements long range offensive operations enemy dominated territory operating small groups men moved slower conventional infantry jungle heavily armed employing high rate fire simulate larger force contact support withdrawal primary method deployment helicopter working closely squadron raaf regularly provided rapid precise extraction patrols jungle landing zones tree height occasion patrols deployed armored personnel carriers method devised location drop point despite noise moving jungle operational parachute jump undertaken fourth squadron raised later disbanded april operated closely troop attached australian squadron late completing final tour october squadron disbanded return australia training squadron raised place time vietnam proved highly successful members regiment known jungle stealth year period australian vietnam conducted nearly patrols inflicted heavy casualties including killed possibly killed wounded possibly wounded prisoners captured losses totalled killed action died wounds accidentally killed missing death illness men wounded period deployment men served vietnam remains australian soldier went missing action falling jungle suspended rope extraction found august australian personnel worked vietnam provided instructors training wing operated members regiment served units soldiers serving exchange counter terrorism australian withdrawal vietnam brought end doctrine forward defence involvement southeast asian wars instead australian military new focus defence continental australia external attack line change took lead developing australian_army capability conduct patrol operations role later taken army following formation early 1980s time continued train overseas special forces units exercise philippines special forces hercules crashed shortly february killing passengers including australians number americans new following sydney bombing february given responsibility providing australia military counter terrorism response force squadron raised addition able respond terrorist attacks australian cities counter terrorism unit required develop capability board ships underway shore oil platforms squadron alerted possible deployment fiji leave australia regiment involved operations gulf war troops placed standby deployment short notice elements remained high alert respond terrorist incident australia required units deploy active service vietnam war australian deployments small numbers personnel involved turkey assist refugees june personnel provided regiment australian contribution established oversee destruction iraq weapons mass destruction deployed weapons inspection teams times employed drivers personal protection tasks signal squadron deployed western september australian contingent contrary reports provide security team service qualified signals signal squadron deployed australian military contribution small number members regiment served exchange bosnia early 1990s including sergeant commanded detachment april april man team troop attached australian forces provide elite response protection force protection known small team operated toyota utility vehicles subsequently involved number actions including incident flown scene downed canadian civilian helicopter kilometres north protect crew august involved skirmish convoy resulted killed aimed australians returned australia november qualified medical deployed contribution present massacre april soldier australians awarded medal gallantry actions addition individual members attached wide range australian deployments observers including lebanon accident deaths training accidents majority fatalities worst accident regiment history occurred evening june helicopters 5th aviation regiment carrying collided live fire counter terrorism special recovery operation exercise fire support base barbara high range training area near queensland activity exercise day took place second day exercise requiring pilots use night vision aircraft approaching target area seconds landing zone helicopters right tail helicopter crashed immediately killing personnel board able crash landing burst flames killing crash survivors soldiers helicopters exercise staff flames exploding ammunition rescue comrades retrieve bodies dead members 5th aviation regiment lost lives accident fourteen personnel later officially recognised rescue evacuation operation july man team deployed short notice malaysia provide close protection communications australian ambassador embassy staff required preparation evacuation australian nationals wake civil unrest occurred following coup country evacuation operation subsequently completed successfully supported airfield defence guards military personnel evacuating australians nationals later following agreement truce october ended conflict australian personnel deployed new_zealand led officer included reconnaissance party later serving headquarters april australia took leadership mission renamed numerous personnel served year period operation headquarters positions monitoring teams kuwait squadron strength deployment vietnam squadron attached new_zealand troop deployed kuwait february american led operation force known fully integrated new providing squadron troop crisis resolved peacefully military action taken combat search rescue role recover shot iraqi air defences force returned australia june regardless operation represented time tactical headquarters deployed outside australia played key role australian led international force september february initially involved operation evacuate australian personnel result violence lead referendum independence subsequently involved intelligence gathering tasks prior landings provided initial forces secure point entry airport squadron elements special forces element known spearheaded operations conducted international force early days intervention vietnam served eyes ears force patrolling extensively militia controlled areas vehicles foot expanded control rest operations involved number significant contacts pro indonesian militia including october soldiers wounded later october tasks included protection special forces tasks required task force commander squadron later awarded unit citation march squadron replaced squadron december completed tour february domestic security controversy regiment formed key element security force place sydney olympic games lead event regiment underwent period acquiring new equipment capabilities including ability respond chemical biological threats developing techniques clandestine boarding moving ships night games squadrons available counter terrorist operations designated respond incidents sydney canberra standby incidents domestic security role increased prominence terrorist attacks united_states september formed security force events rugby world cup commonwealth games international events currently provides australia elite designated tag west tag provided 2nd commando regiment april fishing vessel south detected near heard following kilometre pursuit vessel boarded troop southern tip africa august involved tampa affair counter terrorist squadron ordered board tampa illegally entered australian waters members involved improve conditions tampa use elite military unit prevent asylum landing australia supported members regiment remains controversial controversial involvement boarding north korean freighter suspected drug smuggling newcastle april afghanistan october australian government announced sending special forces task group built squadron participate campaign afghanistan designated operation staging kuwait squadron arrived afghanistan december squadrons rotating approximately monthly intervals main role afghanistan conduct reconnaissance surveillance positions activities capabilities force elements conducted offensive operations arriving initially operated southern afghanistan marines task force conducting long range vehicle mounted patrols kilometres near iranian border february killed travelling hit land operation soldiers wounded incident later operated command task force moved eastern afghanistan played key role march operation teams provide location depth operational intelligence reconnaissance valley days prior operation saved lives soldiers 75th helicopter shot providing sniper guiding precise air strikes end enemy advance attempted overrun isolated americans fighters later estimated killed result called advisory liaison officers attached 10th help plan division air assault operations subsequently involved heavy fighting unit pinned took number casualties supported heavy close air support evacuated helicopter evening days operation elements identified potential escape route leadership coalition special forces attempted establish observation posts quickly discovered villagers australians inserted patrol monitor escape route metres high mountain patrol spotted group figures dressed russian camouflage wearing black carried advanced weapons normal insurgents appeared guarding white older man cane fled battlefield intelligence believed later revised identification second command called later doubt successful australian forces later uncovered number arms destroyed anti aircraft piece elements tasked screening possible escape routes south killed number fighters attempted withdraw initial task group replaced squadron march april squadron rotated afghanistan august withdrew afghanistan november sabre squadrons served country deployed afghanistan august september operating southern province consisted elements commando incident response regiment support personnel helicopters 5th aviation regiment deployed afghanistan march support forward operating base subsequently established task group withdrawn september year operations working closely special forces united_kingdom netherlands period task group patrol days involved contacts sustained soldiers wounded replaced engineers conventional infantry strong afghanistan support april including squadron commando company group integral combat service support team commando element conduct direct action tasks returning conducting strategic reconnaissance january awarded highest award gallantry australian honours system acts performed whilst serving afghanistan september patrol ambushed resulting wounding australians addition contribution regiment provided defence support teams protect agents afghanistan january corporal awarded victoria_cross single machine gun positions operation june march announced receive australian_army battle honour end vietnam war outstanding performance offensive afghanistan june battle honour titled eastern awarded recognition operational actions rotation collectively awarded unit citation unit citation gallantry actions afghanistan operation april corporal cut right hands corpses insurgents told military lawyer acceptable way obtaining incident reported senior australian command withdrawn operations week long operational pause soldier remained investigation incident august bulk withdrawn afghanistan late australian special forces remain small australian force country casualties afghanistan include soldiers killed action iraq provided majority ground force element australian contribution invasion iraq known moving quickly successfully enhancing australia standing allies built squadron platoon commando troop available support squadron operated western iraq successful securing area operations elements crossed iraqi border night march vehicle penetrating kilometres engaged actions war patrols inserted helicopter kilometres staging areas subsequently fought number actions following month australian patrols closest coalition elements baghdad number days observing key roads facilities conclusion day campaign secured huge air base approximately kilometres west baghdad capturing aircraft squadron withdrawn iraq replacement shortly end war subsequently awarded unit citation gallantry members continued operate iraq years number roles claims appeared media australian special forces involved counter operations inside iraq denied government team deployed iraq june effort free australian engineer kidnapped baghdad later recovered alive iraqi forces british media reports suggested elements operating iraq southern border iran targeting arms later small number personnel deployed iraq june protect australian embassy security baghdad threatened northern iraq offensive reported tasked providing security royal_australian_air_force aboard transport aircraft delivering arms munitions forces controlled northern iraq september philippines fiji troop deployed operation operating alongside following renewed unrest march personnel took battle rebels killed unsuccessful attempt rebel leader reported october operators southern philippines supporting filipino operations terrorist groups denied following tensions fiji military government australian government dispatched naval vessels november december operation preparation potential evacuation australian citizens november helicopter carrying crew soldiers crashed attempting land sank international waters fiji helicopter pilot soldier killed crash africa march sydney morning herald claimed operators squadron reportedly reformed based victoria operating africa specifically nigeria kenya gathering intelligence terrorism developing plans rescue kidnapped australian civilians professor quoted saying soldiers legal cover caught herald reported minister foreign affairs argued squadron libya civil war overruled minister defence chief general smith denied personnel operating outer reaches australian international law confirm deny operation africa organisation size classified reported strength varies figures personnel appearing different sources based battalion sized element known regimental headquarters sabre squadrons operational support squadron base squadron signals squadron sabre squadrons maintain regiment capability train operational squadron maintained rotation counter terrorist recovery operations support state federal police forces existence fourth sabre squadron reported media officially acknowledged regiment currently believed organised follows regimental headquarters squadron squadron squadron squadron base squadron operation support squadron signal squadron sabre squadron approximately strong divided troops free fall troop troop comprises patrols operators patrol commanded captain patrol commanded sergeant surveillance operations usually operates patrols operations usually employs larger force elements support personnel include mechanics technicians medical staff drivers specialists reported female soldiers trained united_states work squadron comprised troops military dogs designated new members seeing service afghanistan memorial regular army unit pool personnel soldiers regular army members specialists uniform equipment standard dress regiment new design camouflage standard issue special forces troops introduced australian_army soldiers afghanistan eventually standard operational combat uniform parade working field uniforms generally rest australian_army special uniforms including black depending tactical situation qualified members wear sandy coloured metal gold silver badge depicting sword flames issuing upwards blade inscribed regimental motto wins black shield differs wears woven cloth cap badge design parachute wings rounded straight worn right shoulder general duty ceremonial mess dress uniforms blue worn members regiment rank use names wear long hair operations field soldiers armed variety weapons systems depending mission include designated australia primary weapon shortened version known primary weapons complemented issued medium long range engagements rifle enhanced battle rifle support weapons include regiment uses number direct indirect fire support weapons including rockets calibre machine guns grenade mortars range different vehicles including high mobility purchased designated special operations vehicle special reconnaissance named warrant officer killed pre deployment training technical problems enter service replacing seen extensive service afghanistan iraq new logistics trucks acquired replace supply support recovery lighter protected vehicle akin advanced ground road long range strategic reconnaissance seeing service afghanistan wheel terrain vehicles seeing service afghanistan heavily modified armoured toyota wheel drive vehicles designated domestic counter terrorism special recovery selection training regiment high personnel standards selection regiment considered demanding entry test australian_army members required work small teams extended periods support specially selected ability work environment individuals selection open serving personnel initial screening candidates complete special forces barrier test tests physical fitness percent applicants pass phase successful candidates continue day selection course conducted western australia individual strength endurance mental physical overall fitness ability remain calm combat work effectively small teams course conducted staff established percent pass selection candidates progress month reinforcement cycle complete range courses including weapons basic patrolling combat survival heavy weapons method entry urban combat posting sabre squadron successful officers complete additional courses qualify officer regiment expertise operations administration command candidates generally average older soldiers despite possible reduction rank operators receive significant highest paid soldiers equivalent private earning members parachute qualified member patrol including explosive expert sabre squadrons works year training operational cycle system flexible accelerated varied depending operational requirements deployments year new members regiment develop individual skills practice new techniques taught experienced members undertake advanced courses second year mission skill sets conventional warfare trained year clandestine tasks practiced squadron online counter terrorist squadron counter terrorist training includes close quarters battle explosive entry tubular assault vehicles buses trains aircraft high rise buildings room building clearance training conducted range advanced facilities including electronic indoor outdoor ranges outdoor sniper range urban training facilities additional facilities include special urban complex vertical range method entry house simulated oil rig aircraft mock ups order provide realistic training environments potential operational scenarios personnel provide training weapons handling use explosives intelligence agents members elite police units victoria maintains close links special forces united_states united_kingdom new_zealand regularly participating joint exercises individual personnel exchange programs new zealand navy seals regiment regularly conducts exercises trains soldiers asian nations exercises regional special forces included close links relationship times politically controversial formation lost men training combat nature training regime regiment celebrated 50th anniversary period soldiers killed operations training accidents died circumstances wounded names killed recorded plaque memorial large piece granite outside headquarters campbell barracks known rock alliances
Special Air Service Regiment