The four " Sabre " or combat squadrons are the operational element of the 22 SAS. A squadron is the largest force which will normally conduct a single operation, though squadron-strength operations are less common than those of troop or patrol size, or combinations thereof. However operations of smaller size will usually report back to a squadron headquarters. The squadron HQ could run the forward mounting base or it could directly command troops in the field, as happened on occasion in the Falklands and Gulf Wars.If more than one squadron is "in-theatre" a regimental tactical headquarters will be deployed to take command. Sometimes even if a squadron or less is involved, the CO of the regiment will be present. Squadron commanders are usually the highest-ranking SAS members to take part in actual operations.A full-strength squadron would have six officers and seventy-eight other ranks, divided into a headquarters and four troops. The Officer Commanding (OC) is a major, with a captain as his Second In Command (2IC) and operations officer. Also in the HQ are the Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM), a warrant officer class 2, the Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant (SQMS), a staff sergeant, and a few clerks, storemen and armourers. On operations a troop from 264 (SAS) Signal Squadron will be attached- these men are responsible for both forward and rearward communications i.e. to higher headquarters and operators in the field. Each of the operational troops, whether it specializes in mountain warfare, boating and diving, free-fall parachuting or vehicles, is authorised a captain and fifteen other ranks, further split into four 4-man patrols. In practice a squadron is almost never up to strength. Because of the shortage of " badged " officers the SSM, who will have ten to fifteen years of SAS experience, will often act as 2IC. Many troops do not have officers and in these cases a staff sergeant, otherwise the troop 2IC, will be in command. A troop may only have about twelve operators.Sabre squadrons rotate between different types of duty in peacetime, usually every six months. These include squadron training in the UK or overseas, especially in the United States, Middle East and Brunei; team tasks, in which a squadron will send training teams to friendly countries; " strip alert " duty, ready for deployment anywhere in the world on very short notice; and counter-terrorist duty, during which a squadron will come under the direction of the regiment's Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) Wing. There is also the commitment to provide a troop for duty in Northern Ireland, as part of the Intelligence & Security Group, which also includes the former 14 Intelligence Company, now apparently known as the Army Surveillance Unit. Of course the key too much of the SAS's success is flexibility and SAS operators will be found in other places too. Some men may be detached for further training, for example on one of the heavy weapons courses conducted by the Infantry Training Centre, Warminster. Others will be on exchange duty with allied Special Forces, especially those of the US, Australia and New Zealand.
Active service: Malaya 1950-58; Oman, Jan-Feb 1959; first squadron in Borneo, Jan-April 1963; first squadron in Aden/Radfan, April-May 1964; thereafter served in Aden, like other squadrons, for a few weeks at a time during retraining during Borneo tours; Borneo June-Oct 1964 and May-Oct 1965; Oman 1970-76, on four-month tours as part of British Army Training Team (BATT); Northern Ireland since 1976; Gulf 1990-91, provided two half-squadron motorised raiding groups for work behind Iraqi lines.
Active service: Malaya 1950-59; disbanded 1959; reformed for service in Borneo, 1963; Borneo Nov 1964-Feb 1965 and Nov 1965-Feb 1966; Aden at various times, including providing teams for undercover work in the city itself; Radfan 1966; Oman(Musandam Peninsula) 1970, including first operational free-fall jump by 22SAS; Oman(Dhofar) 1970-76; Battle of Mirbat, 18 July 1972; like other squadrons did several four-month tours; Prince's Gate, London, 5 May 1980 (Operation Nimrod); Falklands War 1982- proposed operations at Port Stanley and on Argentine mainland cancelled; Gulf 1991, provided three road watch patrols, including Bravo Two Zero; also provided reinforcements to A and D Squadrons.
Active service: Malaya 1951-58; Oman(Jebel Akhdar) Nov 1958-Feb 1959; Borneo April-Aug 1963, Dec 1963-April 1964, Feb-May 1965, July-Sept 1966; Aden at various times in between Borneo tours; Northern Ireland as a rifle company, Sept-Nov 1969; Oman 1971-76, four-month tours; provided first troop for patrol/ambush work in Northern Ireland, Jan 1976; Falklands War 1982- formed a squadron-strength strike force; part of task force to retake South Georgia (Operation Paraquat), late April; Pebble Island raid (Operation Prelim), 13 May; Darwin/Goose Green raid on night of main landings, 21 May; seizure of Mount Kent area, 24 May-1 June; later relieved some G Squadron patrols; two troops on raid on seaward side of Wireless Ridge, 13/14 June; Gulf 1990-91, operated as a motorised raiding force behind Iraqi lines, Feb-April, troops coming together for certain operations.
Active service: Oman 1970-76, including the Battle of Mirbat, one of the few times when two SAS squadrons were present in Dhofar; Northern Ireland from 1976; Falklands War 1982, ten 4-man patrols inserted on East and West Falkland from 10 May; one troop on Wireless Ridge raid; Gulf 1990, first squadron deployed, but later returned to UK to take over CRW duties.Note: although originally meant to be a Guards squadron, it is rare for over half of the men to be volunteers from the Household Cavalry and the five regiments of Foot Guards; however most of the officers have been from these units.
Active service: Malaya 1951-53; disbanded on return to Southern Rhodesia; reformed 1961 and participated in several exercises in the Middle East, 1962-63; became C Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Rhodesia, 1965; participated in the Zimbabwe/Rhodesia civil war, 1966-1980, especially external operations in Zambia and Mozambique; expanded to become 1st SAS Regiment in 1978; disbanded 1980
Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.