Air Service (SAS) is the British Army's most renowned special forces unit. From the moment several black-clad figures appeared on the balconies of the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980, the Special Air Service became 'celebrities' both at home and oversees. Their motto, 'Who Dares Wins', has become part of British popular culture.
The Special Air Service section of Elite UK Forces features :
- SAS selection
- SAS weapons
- SAS operations
- SAS history
- SAS organisation
- SAS reserves (TA)
- SAS skills
- SAS roles
- SAS training
- SAS signals support
- Task Force Black
 | uk special forces (UKSF) photos of the SAS, SBS and SFSG. |
 | royal marines commandos a collection of shots of Royal Marine Commandos including Royal Marines Snipers, Brigade Patrol Troop and Mountain Leaders |
 | fleet protection group royal marines photos featuring the elite FPGRM + other Royal Marines units on ship-boarding operations. |
 | parachute regiment a gallery of photos featuring the Parachute Regiment |
 | raf regiment an assortment of images of the RAF Regiment |
 | military helicopters photos of various UK helicopters and squadrons that fly in support of UKSF and other elite forces. |
 | military vehicles photos of various land rovers and other specialised vehicles used by UKSF and Uk elite forces. |
 | misc gallery an assortment of misc subjects including the Gurkhas and RMP Close Protection units. |
 | elite police gallery of elite armed police from units such as C019 |
Special Air Service Organisation
The 22nd Special Air Service regiment (22 SAS) comprises of 4 active 'sabre' squadrons : A, B, D, & G, each made up of around 60 men. Each Squadron is made up of 4 troops with each troop specialising in certain areas of expertise.
| Air Troop | - | skilled in parachute insertions (HALO, HAHO, static line etc) |
| Boat Troop | - | specialising in amphibious operations |
| Mobility Troop | - | masters of operations using a variety of vehicles |
| Mountain Troop | - | expert mountaineers and trained in the disciplines of arctic warfare |
more info : 22 SAS organisation
2 reserve units, staffed by civilians, form 21 and 23 SAS. One of the more famous SAS alumni, author and member of the infamous Bravo Two Zero patrol, Chris Ryan, began his army career in the territorial SAS before passing selection for 22.
more info : SAS Reserves (SAS(R))
A small group of 22 SAS veterans and civilian volunteers make up L-Detachment, a reserves element attached to 22 SAS.
Special Air Service (SAS)
Weapons
As one would expect of a special forces unit, aside from the range of standard weapons used by the UK military, the men of the 22nd Special Air Service (SAS) have access to a wider selection of firearms and other weapons than your average British soldier.
This section of the site takes a look at some of the weapons known to be used by the Special Air Service.
C8 carbine
The Regiment's primary assault carbine
5.56mm rifle / carbine
7.62mm battle rifle used by UKSF
5.56mm version of the G3
Modern assault rifle made by Heckler & Koch
World famous counter-terrorist weapons - the MP5 sub machine gun
'Spray and pray' compact sub machine gun
Info on the Sig Sauer P226, Browning High Power and other pistols.
World War-era 2 silenced pistol
Shotgun often loaded with special breaching rounds
Medium ranger sniper rifle
The Regiment's long range sniper rifle
.50 cal anti-material rifle
Tear gas canister launcher used for counter-terrorism operations
Stun Grenade devloped by the SAS CRW wing.
Compact anti-tank rocket launcher
A portable anti-personnel mine used for defence and ambushes
40mm grenade launcher fitted to SAS rifles
A modern grenade launcher system
40mm grenade launcher fitted to SAS vehicles used in the 1991 Gulf War
Shoulder-fired Surface-To_Air missile (SAM)
read an article on UKSF weapons add-ons
As with mmany other special forces units, Special Air Service troopers will train with many of the world's military weapons, such as Kalashnikovs. These are not weapons that they would normally choose to take with them on operations but due to their ubiquity amongst other armed forces, it is important for an SAS operator to have working knowledge of them. Not only might they be tasked with training foreign militaries with their use, they may also lead such forces into combat, using their weapons. The SAS may also need to use the enemy's guns in emergency situations - ie such as in escape and evasion, when a trooper may need to take and use guns from fallen enemy soldiers. Then there are 'false-flag' operations, in which the SAS may purposely use firearms likely to be identified with another force in order to cover their own identity.
