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Australia's Special Air Service Regiment

Location: Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, Western Australia

The history of Australia's "Special Forces" can be traced as far back as the 1940s when Australian soldiers were part in AIB or Allied Intelligence Bureau. However it wasn't until July 25th, 1957, when the Army turned to Major W.Gook, that a proper "Special Forces" unit was formed. Major Gook was put in charge of a new unit: the 1st Special Air Service Company (Royal Australian Regiment). The total strength of the Company was only180 men at first. On August 20th, 1964, the SAS finally became a full Regiment consisting of three "Sabre" Squadrons, a Training Squadron, and a Headquarters. The SASR was modeled after the British SAS.

The SAS had previously worn a red beret ( indicating them as a Parachute Company ) with the Infantry Corps Cap Badge. In 1966, the SAS was given permission to change over to the beige beret. However since most of the SASR was deployed to Borneo at the time, all they could get were the British SAS berets with the cloth Winged Dagger emblem on them. Later on that year the cloth patch was replaced by a black flash and a solid gold metal Winged Dagger emblem on top of it.

The SASR was first deployed to Brunei in 1965. It was 1 Squadron and would also be the first to see active duty. Later on in that same year 1 Squadron would also be deployed to Borneo. The British had already been in Borneo for some time. The first request by the British Government for Australian SASR help was declined. However, as the "conflict" grew the SASR was brought in. The SASR was tasked with stopping the communist Indonesian troops from taking over Borneo. They often worked along side there British and New Zealand counterparts.

The conflict of Borneo was a tough one for Australian troops. They soon found themselves living in the jungle, sometimes on patrols for months. They learned how to track the enemy, lay ambushes, and defeat him at his own games. This would prove effective again later in Vietnam. Another way the SASR defeated the enemy was to win the "heats and minds" of locals. The local tribesmen would usually help in any way they could, and the SASR provided needed repairs, medical treatments, and food for the villagers. This was to prove very affective. The main threat came from a group known as RPKAD. The RPKAD were known for being extremly brutal. They wore a cap badge which depicted a set of Airborne Wings with a dagger through them. This is on top of an octagon. The RPKAD were usually noticed because of this cap badge. The RPKAD is the forerunner to todays KOPASSUS . The M-16A1 was used during the Borneo and Vietnam conflicts, but was soon replaced by the newer, shorter version. The standard Australian issued Steyr AUG is rarely used ( similar ot that of the SA-80 and the British SAS ). The M-4 can be fitted with an M-203, 40mm grenade launcher.

The SASR also favours the Minimi. It is pretty much the same as the American SAW(or Squad Automatic Weapon). It can be fired from a belt, 30 round magazine, or a 200 round drum. The Minimi fires a 5.56mm round, the same round as the M-4. This makes the magazines interchangable.

The M-60, 7.62 light machine gun is also in use. This weapon was first used in Vietnam. It was also the standard light machine gun issued to US Armed Forces at the time.

The SASR uses the full range of H&K sub machine guns. From the MP-5 to the G-3. These weapons are mainly used by the TAG and OAG members, although they can be used by others or specific missions.

The SASR use a 6x6 extended wheel based Land Rover 110 as their primary vehicle. The truck is a one of kind. The Land Rover can be fitter with a mixture of .50 Machine Guns, Mk19 40mm grenade launcher, or GPMG ( General Perpose Machine Gun ).