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| 22 Special Air Service | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 22 Special Air Service |
| Dates | 1942–present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Size | Regimental-sized |
| Garrison | Hereford |
| Nickname | 22 SAS |
| Motto | Who Dares Wins |
22 Special Air Service is a United Kingdom special forces regiment formed during the Second World War and maintained as an elite component of British operational capability. The unit traces its lineage to wartime formations and postwar reorganisations that involved figures and organisations across the World War II, Cold War, and post-Cold War eras. It has been deployed in conflicts ranging from the North African campaign and Italian campaign (World War II) to operations linked with the Falklands War, Gulf War, and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).
The regiment originated from the wartime establishment founded by officers influenced by operations in the Western Desert Campaign, notably interactions with units tied to the Special Operations Executive and commanders who later featured in accounts alongside figures from the Long Range Desert Group and the SAS Brigade. Post-1945 restructuring saw links with formations associated with the British Army of the Rhine and with personnel who had served in theatres like the Burma Campaign and the Italian Social Republic operations. During the Cold War, the regiment developed capabilities designed to operate alongside NATO formations such as the British Army of the Rhine and in coordination with organisations like the United States Special Operations Command and allied forces deployed in crises including the Iranian Embassy siege response environment. Later campaigns connected the regiment with coalitions assembled for the Gulf War (1990–1991), operations in the Balkans alongside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and long-term deployments during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).
The regiment is regimental-sized with troops and squadrons organised to provide operational, support, and intelligence-focused elements, operating from bases in or near Hereford and other UK installations. Its command relationships have interfaced with higher formations such as United Kingdom Special Forces and operational commands that coordinate with agencies like MI6 and multinational headquarters including Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. Sub-units have historically mirrored structures similar to those in the Parachute Regiment, with integration for liaison to units such as the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force for air insertion and maritime operations. Personnel rotations and administrative links have included associations with regiments that supply reservists and volunteers comparable to those tapped by the Territorial Army and modern reserve formations.
Mandated roles include counterterrorism, direct action, special reconnaissance, and personnel recovery in support of UK national objectives and coalition partners. The regiment has frequently operated in coordination with international partners including elements of the United States Army Special Forces, French Special Forces Command, and other NATO special operations components during crises such as the Beslan school siege aftermath planning, maritime interdiction alongside Royal Navy task groups, and coalition campaigns in the Middle East. Its mission set places it alongside units like the Special Boat Service and interoperable with aviation assets from the Army Air Corps and squadrons of the Royal Air Force Regiment for precision insertion and extraction.
Selection processes have been rigorous, drawing candidates with prior service in formations comparable to the Parachute Regiment, Royal Marines, and Royal Artillery, and emphasising navigation, survival, and resistance to interrogation training akin to methodologies associated with wartime commando schools. Training pipelines have incorporated courses at ranges and estates used historically by the Salisbury Plain Training Area and include maritime phases with units akin to the Special Boat Service and airborne phases associated with the Parachute Regiment's airborne training. Advanced training integrates language and cultural preparation similar to programs run by Defence Humint Unit affiliates and coordination with intelligence organisations such as GCHQ and MI5 for counterintelligence awareness.
Standard and specialist equipment suites combine small arms, precision rifles, and support weapons employed across UK forces, overlapping inventories with units like the Parachute Regiment and logistics chains used by the Royal Logistic Corps. Aviation support commonly involves helicopter types operated by the Army Air Corps and tactical airlift supplied by the Royal Air Force. The regiment’s insignia and beret distinctions have been influential across UK special forces heraldry and are recognised alongside decorations such as the Victoria Cross and campaign medals awarded to personnel serving in related operations. Unit badges and shoulder titles have historical resonance with emblems associated with wartime special operations formations.
Prominent deployments have included interdiction and reconnaissance missions during the Western Desert Campaign, counterinsurgency and direct action in the Aden Emergency, covert operations during the Dhofar Rebellion era, taskings during the Falklands War and the liberation operations in the Gulf War (1990–1991). More recent high-profile involvements linked the regiment with operations in Iraq and prolonged campaigns in Afghanistan, often in combined task groups with elements of United States Special Operations Command and NATO partners. The regiment’s actions have been reported in accounts featuring journalists and historians who cover events such as the Iran hostage crisis period and post-Cold War peace enforcement in the Balkans.
The regiment’s reputation has influenced depictions in literature and media referencing figures and works connected to special operations narratives, inspiring authors and filmmakers who portray episodes alongside historical events like the North African campaign and the Suez Crisis. Its ethos and mottos have been adopted and referenced by other units and commemorative organisations, with remembrance and regimental associations maintaining links to museums and institutions that preserve artefacts from campaigns across the 20th century and 21st century. The regiment remains a subject in scholarly studies of special operations doctrine and in commentary by analysts addressing responses to crises involving allies such as the United States and organisations within NATO.