The Special
Air Service (SAS) is a special forces unit of the British Army. In 1941, the SAS was founded as a regiment, and in 1950, it was reconstituted as a corps.The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, direct action and covert reconnaissance. Much of the information about the SAS is highly classified, and the unit is not commented on by either the
British government or the Ministry of Defence due to the secrecy and sensitivity of its operations.
The corps currently consists of the
22 Special
Air Service Regiment, the regular component, as well as the
21 Special
Air Service Regiment (Artists) (Reserve) and the 23 Special
Air Service Regiment (Reserve), which are reserve units, all under the operational command of United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF). Its sister unit is the Royal Navy's Special
Boat Service which specialises in maritime counter-terrorism. Both units are under the operational control of the Director Special Forces.
The Special
Air Service traces its origins to 1941 and the Second World War. It was reformed as part of the Territorial Army in 1947, named the 21st Special
Air Service Regiment (Artists Rifles). The 22nd Special
Air Service Regiment, which is part of the regular army, gained fame and recognition worldwide after its televised rescue of all but two of the hostages held during the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege.
