This event is not beyond the realm of possibility and indeed is an occasion for which the SAS and SBS have trained. Such an instance might be the simultaneous hijacking of two or more oil rigs in the North Sea. In any case, maritime operations are not a skill which the SAS has forgone.Įach squadron maintains its own Boat Troop who devote their time to It is possible to envision such an incident occurring, however. SAS and SBS are known to have deployed together on a bomb scare involving the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II. This issue is still a matter of speculation, however some experts speculate that the SBS would not be deployed unless a large scale terrorist incident occurred which tapped the SAS beyond their personnel levels. There is some debate as to when Britain's other legendary special operations group, the Special Boat Service (SBS) would be used in the counterterrorist role. There are a number of organizations worldwide who also use the SAS name, such as the New Zealand SAS and the Australian SAS. The SAS has engaged in antiterrorist operations, mostly in Northern Ireland, although reports have pointed to SAS activity in Libya as well.

A Royal Air Force C-130 remains on standby at RAF Lyneham at all times should the unit require its services. SAS counterterrorist and hostage rescue training is facilitated by the highest members of the UK government, many of whom (including the Prime Minister) take part in actual training exercises. Adding an element of realism to the training is the use of live personnel as hostage during room clearing operations. This skill is further enhanced during a squadron's SP duty. The basic course is six weeks, during which troopers may fire in excess of 2,000 rounds. SAS proficiency in firearms, already very high, is refined for close quarters battle in the 'Killing House'. Organizationally, the Special Projects unit is broken down into 65-man Red and Blue Teams, each with snipers and EOD trained experts. Because of this, all SAS operatives are considered counterterrorist-qualified and refresher training is constant. Unlike most special operations groups, the SAS rotates all of its squadrons through CRW duty. Other equipment included specialized ladders for train and airplane assaults, night vision goggles, and audio/video equipment. It is this unit that developed the now-widely used stun ('flash-bang') grenade. Contributing to the skill of the SAS is the Operations Research Unit which develops unique equipment for use by the SP team. These CRW duty training cycles normally last six months.

Instead, all SAS squadrons are rotated through CT duty, via the Counterrevolutionary Warfare section (the SP team is commonly misidentified as the CRW Squadron). The SP squadron is not a permanent entity. In these instances, a segment of the alert troop is broken down into a surveillance/sniper unit, while the remaining soldiers form the assault group.Īn explanation is required. And while the SP operates similarly to the other squadrons during periods of training, the picture changes significantly when a terrorist incident occurs. The SP team is normally made up of approximately 80 personnel who are divided into four troops of sixteen men. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the Special Projects (SP) team of the Special Air Service is perhaps the best known counterterrorist organization in the world. The British Special Air Service (SAS) is perhaps the best known special operations group in existence today. Special Projects Team - Special Air Service (SAS) a/k/a: Counter Revolutionary Warfare Squadron (CRW) Founded: 1942 Headquarters: Sterling Lines, Hereford, UK (soon to relocate to RAF Credenhill) International Counter-Terrorism: Table of Contents| Israeli Counter-Terror| SEAL Team Six

British sas