A small group of these guys could wipe out a medium-sized enemy encampment within 2 minutes and disappear into the night.
They are the best because they train to be the best. An SAS training course lasts for 6 months and has only a 1 - 3% pass rate.
Notable SAS operations include:
Operation Nimrod -
terrorist siege on the Iranian embassy in
London, 1980. Considered the most famous and successful hostage rescue in the world.
5 out of six gunmen were killed and 19 hostages were saved.
The Pebble Island Raid - Raid during the Falklands War in 1982 on an Argentinian
air base. 11 Argentinian aircraft were destroyed.
The Loughgall Ambush - massacre of the
IRA East
Tyrone Brigade in 1987. The SAS attacked eight
IRA members who had just bombed an RUC station. All eight bombers were killed.
Operation Barras - the rescue of eleven British soldiers held captive by Sierra Leone's notorious West Side Boys. At least 25 rebels were killed and 18 captured, including the rebel leader. Unfortunately one SAS soldier was killed in action.