Active 1959–present Branch The Army Reserve | Country United Kingdom | |
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Type Long-range reconnaissance patrol Role Reconnaissance and long range patrols Part of 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade | ||
23 Special Air Service Regiment (Reserve) (23 SAS(R)) is a regiment of the British Army Reserve. Together with 21 Special Air Service Regiment (Artists) (Reserve) (21 SAS(R)), it forms the Special Air Service (Reserve) (SAS(R)). Unlike the regular SAS Regiment it accepts members of the general population without prior military service.
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History
The unit was founded in 1959, as an additional regiment of the Territorial Army, and was created from the former Reserve Reconnaissance Unit, itself descended from the body of the organisation known as Military Intelligence 9. The initial headquarters location was London, the headquarters were moved during 1959, to Thorpe street, Birmingham, during 1966, to Kingstanding, Birmingham, within the Territorial Army centre there.
The regiment's first commander was H. S. Gillies, at the time a Lieutenant Colonel. Anthony Hunter-Choat OBE was the commanding officer of the regiment from 1977 to 1983. Sebastian Morley, at that time a Major, was for a period commander of D squadron until his resignation sometime during 2008.
In 1963 were deployed to Borneo to support Malaysian and British Commonwealth forces in combating guerrillas crossing from Indonesia to the federation of Malaysia.
21st century
In June 2008, three soldiers from 23 SAS were killed by a landmine their vehicle triggered again Helmand province. The reservists were involved in the training the Afghan National Police (OMLT), during the most recent Afghan war, there were, also, performing tier 1 operational duties during this period in Iraq. Post Afghanistan a report found that the SAS(R) lacked a clearly defined role, and also stated that the reservists lacked the military capability and skillset to serve alongside the regular special forces
An inquest into the deaths of three reservists during a 2013 SAS test march heard that 6 months preparation is needed before undertaking "Test Week". It is possible for "direct civilian entry" students to attempt to join one of two SAS Reserve regiments. Around 10% of the candidates who took part in the march had no previous military experience before opting to try for the SAS. The majority of candidates have served in other British Army units.
On 1 September 2014, 23 SAS was removed from the ORBAT of United Kingdom Special Forces and was placed under the command of 1st Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade alongside 21 SAS and the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC).