Special Air Service Regiment

the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR)

The Australian Special Air Service Regiment is an elite regiment of special forces within the Australian Army. The regiment is the largest and primary Army unit of the Australian Special Operations Command and falls under overall command of AUSOCOMD. The entire regiment is considered a Special Mission Unit. The unit belongs to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps (RA Inf).

Under the 2030 Restructuring of Forces, the SASR was significantly increased in size. The "regiment" was increased to a true regimental size, each of the former company sized squadrons were increased to Barralion size, and the paltoon sized Troops were increased to company sized units.

Mission

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Structure

Special Air Service Command (SASCOMD)

At the highest echelon of the Special Air Service, is the one star HQ, Special Air Service Command. The Special Air Service Command, led by a Brigadier, is the administrative, cultural and ceremonial HQ of the SAS. This HQ is responsible for top level administration of all SAS sub-units

SAS Regimental HQ (RHQ/SASR)

The regimental HQ is the highest operational level HQ responsible for maintaining the readiness and combat abilities of the regiment. The RHQ is led by a Colonel, and has a typical Regimental Staff with various administrative support assets.

SAS Base Squadron (Base Sqn)

Base Squadron contains several specialised wings. These wings function as the base support for the action squadrons of the regiment.

• Counter Revolutionary Warfare Wing (CRW)
• xx
• xx

SAS Sabre Squadrons

The three Sabre Squadrons (1 SAS, 2 SAS, 3 SAS) are the primary combat units of the regiment and are each made up of a HQ Troop, 3 SAS Troops and a Signals Troop.

SAS Clandestine Action Squadron

4 SAS acts differently to the regular Sabre Squadrons and works in conjunction with the Australian Secret Intelligence Service undertaking Clandestine support to ASIS.

SAS Reserve Squadron

5 SAS (ARes) is the Army Reserve element of the SASR and acts as the reserve support force.

1st Special Reconaissance Squadron (1 SRS)

1 SRS is the SASR's own special inteliigence asset. 1 SRS specialises in HUMINT and SIGINT.

152nd Signal Squadron (RASig/SAS)

The attached Signal Squadron for the SASR is 152 Signals. The signals squadron supplies a company sized troop to each squadron, which trickles down ultrimately to one signaller in each 5 Man Patrol. As well as communications 152 Signals is responsible for Electronic Warfare (offensive and defensive) for the SASR.

SAS Operational Support Squadron (SAS-OSS)

The prime function of the Operational Support Squadron is runnning the selection and training courses for the regiment.

SAS Logisitcs Support Squadron (SAS-LSS)

The regiment has it's own logistic support squadron.

SASR Structure Overview

• Special Air Service Command

• Regimental HQ, Special Air Service Regiment

• Base Squadron, SASR
  • ​Counter Revolutionary Warfare Wing

• 1st Special Air Squadron, SASR (1 SAS)

• • 1 SAS HQ Troop
  • A Troop
  • B Troop
  • C Troop
  • D Troop
  • 1st Signals Troop

• 2nd Special Air Squadron, SASR (2 SAS)

• • 2 SAS HQ Troop
  • A Troop
  • B Troop
  • C Troop
  • D Troop
  • 2nd Signals Troop

• 3rd Special Air Squadron, SASR (3 SAS)

• • 3 SAS HQ Troop
  • A Troop
  • B Troop
  • C Troop
  • D Troopn
  • 3rd Signals Troop

• 4th Special Air Squadron, SASR (4 SAS)

• • 4th Squadron HQ Troop
  • A Troop
  • B Troop
  • 4th Signals Troop

• 5th Special Air Squadron, SASR (Army Reserve) (5 SAS/ARes)

• • Reserve Squadron HQ Troop
  • A Troop (Ready Reserve)
  • B Troop (General Reserve - West)
  • C Troop (General Reserve - East)
  • D Troop (Specialist Reserve)
  • 5th Signals Troop (Reserve)

• 1st Special Reconaissance Squadron, SASR (1 SRS)

• Squadron HQ Troop

• • A Troop
  • B Troop
  • C Troop
  • D Troop
  • Reserve Troop

• 152nd Signals Squadron (RASig/SAS)

• Operational Support Squadron

• Logistic Support Squadron

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Sabre Squadrons

1 SAS, 2 SAS and 3 SAS are the main units of action of the SASR and are roughly each of Battalion size. They are referred to as the Sabre Squadrons, referring to them being at the "sharp end" of the action. 1 SAS and 2 SAS are based in Perth on the west coast and 3 SAS is based in Sydney on the east coast.

Sabre Squadron Structure

Each Squadron has a small HQ Troop headed by a Lt Colonel of around 16 personnel.

The squadron staff is as follows;

Commanding officer (CO) - Lt. Colonel

Executive Officer (XO) - Major

Squadron Adjutant (S1) - Captain

Squadron Operations Officer (S3) - Captain

Squadron Intelligence Officer (S2) - Captain

Squadron Logisitics Officer (S4) - Captain

Squadron Signals Officer (S6) - Captain

Squadron RSM - Warrant Officer One

Squadron Quarter Master - Warrant Officer Two

various support staff as required

Each Sabre Squadron then has four company sized troops, designated A Troop, B Troop, C Troop and D Troop. Each Troop has around 104 personnel, so with the addition of the 16 person HQ, a Sabre Squadron has 432 personnel.

SAS Troop Structure

Each Troop has an eight man Troop HQ Section, and four platoons, designated Air Platoon, Mobility Platoon, Boat Platoon and Mountain Platoon each containing 24 personnel. The total regular manning level is 104 although extra drivers, clerks, cooks, armourers etc may be added as needed.

Troop HQ Section (1 x 8 Pers)

Officer Commanding (OC) - Major

Second In Command (2IC) - Captain

Operations Officer (OpsO) - Lieutenant

Troop RSM - Warrant Officer 2

Troop Quarter Master - Staff Sargent

Troop Armourer - Sergeant

Troop Logistician - Corporal

Troop Clerk - Corporal

Mobility/Air/Boat/Mountain Platoon (4 x 24 pers.)

One x Platoon HQ (1 x 4 pers)

Platoon Commander - Lieutenant

Platoon Sargent - Sargent

Platoon Signaller

Platoon Medic

Four SAS Patrols (4 x 5 pers)

Corporal

Lance Corporal

Private

Private

Signaller

Platoon Combat Specialities

Each 24 man platoon is given a combat speciality

Air - specialising in HALO and HAHO parachuting techniques and other airborne specialities

Boat - specialising in small craft handling, swimming/diving, maritime operations

Mobility - specialising in land mobility, driving, armoured vehicle etc

Mountain - specialising in mountain and polar, climbing, rapelling, extreme weather specialities

Despite the speciaities, each platoon can operate in any other role at any given time

the 5 Man SAS Patrol

The basic sub-unit of the SAS is the 5 Man Patrol. Made up of four operators and a signaller, the 5 Man Patrol has long been the building block of SASR operations. Easily expanded from 5 to 10, 15 and 20 man patrols, the basic unit is made up of a Corporal as the CO, a combat medical specialist, a demolitions specialist, a marksman specialist and the signaller to round the team off. As with the platoon specialties each operator is fully cross trained and able to operate in any role. The weapons and kit oif any 5 Man Patrol is entirely dependant on the operational situation and can vary significantly.

Geographic Special Operations Task Groups

Each Sabre Squadron has a geographic theatre area of responsibility and provides rotational Special Operations Task Groups to the Special Operations Commands under each of the regional Australian Unified Joint Operations Commands.

Joint Operations Command - Global Theatre

Special Operations Command - Global Theatre

1 SAS

5th Special Operations Task Group

Joint Operations Command - Regional Theatre

Special Operation Command - Regional Theatre

2 SAS

4th Special Operations Task Group

Joint Operations Command - Australian Theatre

Special Operations Command - Australian Theatre

3 SAS

3rd Special Operations Task Group

Each geographically focused task group is nominally allocated a company sized SAS Troop, but in reality the task group can be allocated any number of SAS sub-units as required. Units from the 4th Commando Brigade and the 5th Commando Brigade (Marine Commando) are also often allocated to the task groups. The geographic allocations are also not permanently restrained and any unit can technically operate in any geographic region dependant on operational requirements. Each of the geographically located SOTG's also recieves an Intelligence Support Team from the 1st Special Reconaisance Squadron made of specialist HUMINT and SIGINT teams.

National Asset Special Operations Task Groups

In addition to supplying SAS Troops to the Geographic SOTG's, the Sabre Squadrons also supply SAS Troops to Special Operations Task Group - Bravo and Special Operations Task Group - Delta, both considered to be National Asset Special Operations Task Groups. Bravo is the SOTG responsible for Domestic Counter Terror operations in Australia and consists of two Tactical Assault Groups, each TAG is based around a rotational SAS Troop. Delta is the Global Special Operations Response Force (RESPFOR) and is the international Tier One response unit in the ADF. It is also based around an SAS Troop.

Of the 12 SAS Troops in the three Sabre Squadrons, at any one time two are attached to SOTG-B, and one to SOTG-D. So three out of twelve SAS Troops are attached to National Asset SOTG's.

With the other National Asset SOTG's, SOTG- A generally does not draw it's SAS personnel from the Sabre Squadrons, instead using 4 SAS the Clandestine Action Squadron, and likewise SOTG-C usually does not include any SASR personnel.

Domestic Counter Terrorism Operations

Counter Terrorism has long been a high profile mission of the SASR. As a National Asset SOTG, special Operations Task Group - Bravo is the operational task group responsible for supplying the Tactical Assault Groups for the counter terrorism mission in Australia. There are two Tactial Assault Groups housed within Bravo Group; Tactical Assault Group - East on the east coast and Tactical Assault Group - West on the west coast.

One company sized SAS Troop from the Sabre Squadrons is allocated to each TAG and then rotated on a regular basis. So at any given time, of the 12 troops within the Sabre Squadrons, two will be on Counter Terrorism duty with SOTG-B, that is one with each of it's two TAG's. Whilst assigned to a TAG, two of the troops platoons are on immediate response and two are on support duties.

TAG-E is based in Sydney with a forward deployed element in Townsville and TAG-W is based in Perth with a forward deployed element in Darwin.

Each TAG also contains a specialised Close Protection Team.

In the TAG Counter Terror Role the strucure of the SAS troop changes slightly from the regular structure

Troop HQ Section (1 x 8 pers.)

Close Protection Team (1 x 5 pers.)

2 x Close Combat Platoons (2 x 24 pers.) - one "ready", one "stand-by"

1 x Platoon HQ (1 x 4 pers.)

4 x Close Combat Team (4 x 5 pers.)

2 x Stand Off Platoons (2 x 24 pers.) - one "ready", one "stand-by"

1 x Platoon HQ (1 x 4 pers.)

4 x Stand Off Teams (4 x 5 pers.)

The SAS Troop in the counter Terror role nominally contains 109 personnel, which may see extra drivers, clerks, armourers or similar added as required.

Each TAG, as well as the central building block of an SAS Troop from one of the Sabre Squadrons, has elements from the RAN Special Warfare Squadrons, 1st Special Reconaissance Squadron, 156 Signals Squadron (RASig/SAS) and potentially other units to round out the group.

Read more at : Tactical Assault Groups

Global Special Operations Response Force (RESPFOR)

Special Operations Task Group - Delta is also known as the Global Special Operations Response Force (RESPFOR). Whilst the Tactical Assault Groups of SOTG-B are used within the Australian Theatre of operations, SOTG-D or simply "Delta" could find itself in action anywhere in the world.

Delta Group is the top level Tier One unit in the ADF and whilst it draws on several units from Australian Special Operations Command (AUSOCOMD) to make up the task group, an SAS Troop from a Sabre Squadron is the basic buiding block of the task group. The standard 104 man SAS Troop is the usual unit involved.

Sabre Squadron Force Generation

Whilst the majority of Army use a three stage Force Generation Cycle - reset, readying, ready - the Sabre Squadrons of the SASR like most special operations units operate on a two stage - training, operational - Force Generation Cycle. This two stage cycle is due to the high intensity of special operations.

There a total of twelve SAS Troops in the three Sabre Squadrons. At any one time six SAS Troops are in "training" and six are "operational". For the six operational troops, one is with 3 SOTG, one with 4 SOTG, one with 5 SOTG, one with SOTG-B/TAG-E, one with SOTG-B/TAG-W and one with SOTG-D.

Whilst nominally each of these rotations is allocated an SAS Troop, in reality whatever size unit that is required by the level of operations will be attached to the various Special Operations Task Forces.

Given the above information, a typical troop rotation of the twelve SAS Troops could look like this

1 SAS

5 SOTG

SOTG-B/TAG-W

training

training

2 SAS

4 SOTG

SOTG-D

training

training

3 SAS

3 SOTG

SOTG-B/TAG-E

training

training

So at any one time 50% of each Squadron, and therefore 50% of the SAS Sabre Squadron Force is operational whilst the other 50% is in training.

The troop rotations last 6 months. So each of the twelve troops spend 6 out of 12 months operational and 6 out of 12 months in training.

Personnel from 5 SAS (ARes), the Reserve Squadron, and from 4 SAS, the Clandestine Action Squadron, can supplement the personnel from the Sabre Squadrons as and when needed.

4th Special Air Squadron (4 SAS)

4 SAS operates a little differently to the three regular Sabre Squadrons. 4 SAS is considered the Clandestine Action Squadron and generally works in conjunction with the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) and other Australian intelligence agencies. 4 SAS is also roughly half the size of the Sabre Squadrons.

4 SAS supplies personnel to the National Asset SOTG known as Special Operations Task Group - Alpha.

5th Special Air Squadron (5 SAS ARes)

5 SAS (ARes) is the reserve forces element of the regiment. The four troops are made up of one ready reserve company, two general reserve companies and a specialist reserve company that can call on specialist soldiers from a reserve pool as needed.

1st Special Reconaissance Squadron (1 SRS)

1 SRS is a highly specialised intelligence unit and falls under the administrative control of the SASR. The unit is tightly connected to the Australian Defence Intelligence Agency (ADIA) and it's Australian Defence Clandestine Service (ADCS) as far as HUMINT collection goes, and the Australian Defence Signals Directorate (ADSD) and it's Australian Special Collections Service (ASCS) as far as SIGINT goes.

In addition to the HQ and Technical Support Troops there are four Special Reconaissance Troop. Each troop has two HUMINT Platoons and two SIGINT Platoons. Each Platoon has four four-man teams and two officers. The teams are highly adaptable and usually operate in combined HUMINT/SIGINT teams complementing each other. In addition E Troop acts as the Reserve Component for the Special Reconaissance Squadron.

• 1st Special Reconaissance Squadron
  • SRS HQ Troop
  • A Troop
    • HUMINT Platoon
    • HUMINT Platoon
    • SIGINT Platoon
    • SIGINT Platoon
  • B Troop
    • HUMINT Platoon
    • HUMINT Platoon
    • SIGINT Platoon
    • SIGINT Platoon
  • C Troop
    • HUMINT Platoon
    • HUMINT Platoon
    • SIGINT Platoon
    • SIGINT Platoon
  • D Troop
    • HUMINT Platoon
    • HUMINT Platoon
    • SIGINT Platoon
    • SIGINT Platoon
  • E (Reserve) Troop
  • Technical Support Troop

Geographic SOTG Intelligence Support Teams (IST)

Each of the geographically oriented Unified Australian Joint Operations Commands has a permanently attached, Special Reconnaissance Squadron - Intelligence Support Team (IST). Although permanently attached, the personnel within are rotated from their parent unit. These combined teams of roughly platoon size incorporate both HUMINT and SIGINT specialists and answer to the Special Operations Command of each of the JOC's.

The parent troop responsible for the Geographic SOTG Intelligence Support Teams are as follwed

• Joint Operations Command - Global Theatre
  • Special Operations Command - Global Theatre
  • 5th Special Operations Task Group
    • A Troop
      • 5th Intelligence Support Team, 1st Special Reconnaissance Squadron

• Joint Operations Command - Regional Theatre
  • Special Operations Command - Regional Theatre
  • 4th Special Operations Task Group
    • B Troop
      • 4th Intelligence Support Team, 1st Special Reconnaissance Squadron

• Joint Operations Command - Australian Theatre
  • Special Operations Command - Australian Theatre
    • C Troop
      • 3rd Intelligence Support Team - 1st Special Reconnaissance Squadron

National Asset SOTG Intelligence Support Teams

In addition to the geographic commands, 1 SRS also supplies highly specialised intelligence operators to the National Asset SOTG's. A combined platoon sized team, similar to those in the geographic SOTG's is assigned to SOTG-D and SOTG-B - both TAG-E and TAG W receive a platoon sized element.

The extremely secretive Tier Zero group, SOTG-A, receives its personnel rotated exclusively through D Troop.

D-Troop also supplies a platoon sized element to the Australian Strategic Support Branch (ASSB). A joint Australian Secret Intelligence Service and Australian Defence Intelligence Agency three star HQ that provides the ADF with a strategic level special reconnaissance asset.

Special Reconnaissance Team Rotations

Like other special operations forces, the Special Reconnaissance Squadron rotates its force generation Cycle through only two phases - training or operational - where as conventional Army uses a three pahse system - reset, readying, ready. Given each troops responsibility to geographic and national assets, the following is the general platoon force generation structure - considering the building block to be a combined HUMINT/SIGINT platoon sub-unit. This rotation system means that of the sixteen combined HUMINT/SIGINT Platoons available, 8 are operational and 8 are in training at any one time.

A Troop

1. 5 SOTG
2. SOTG-B or SOTG-D
3. Train
4. Train

B Troop

1. 4 SOTG
2. SOTG-B or SOTG-D
3. Train
4. Train

C Troop

1. 3 SOTG
2. SOTG-B or SOTG-D
3. Train
4. Train

D Troop

1. SOTG-A
2. ASSB

Headquarters Planning and Intelligence Operations Research WingCounter Revolutionary Warfare Wing (Special Projects Team)Training Wing

Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, ( Perth )

550 men (Active and Reserve)

Base Squadron

HQ

Support

Administration

Liaisons

Cell Anti Terrorism

Training and Operational Support Squadron

Wing HQ

Wing Instruction

Wings : Medical, Transport, Material, Supply

Unit Search, Intelligence and Rescue

152nd Signal Squadron

Troop HQ

2 or 3 Troop ( one each Sabre Squadron)

A-B Sabre Squadrons

4 Officer

60 Men

Troop HQ

A Halo Troop SAS

C Mountain Troop SAS

B Boat Troop SAS & Tactical Assault Group - OAT / TAG -

The Troop SAS

Patrol HQ

3 Patrol x 4 h.

4 Teams x 4 h.