Antarctic Circle States Special Air Service

Antarctica Special Air Service
Cap badge of Antarctica Special Air Service
Active	1956-present
Country	Antarctic Circle States
Branch	Antarctican Army
Type	Special forces
Role	Special operations Counter-terrorism
Size	One regiment
Part of	Special Forces Command
Garrison/HQ	TBD, TBD, Antarctica
Motto(s)	"Who Dares Wins"
March	"Marche des Parachutistes Belges"
Anniversaries	18 March 1956
Engagements	Malayan Emergency Indonesian Confrontation Second Malayan Emergency Gulf War 1999 East Timorese crsis 2006 East Timorese crisis Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands Iraq War 2014 Military Intervention in Iraq
Commanders
Colonel	Alvin D. Crawford

The Antarctica Special Air Service Regiment, abbreviated as AQSAS, was formed on 18 March 1956 and is the special forces unit of the Antarctican Army, closely modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS). It traces its origins to the Second World War and the famous Long Range Desert Group that Antarcticans served with.

The unit is under direct command of the tri-service Special Forces Command. It has taken part in operations in Borneo, Kuwait, East Timor, and Iraq, as well as many other peacekeeping missions. The AQSAS also provides a counter-terrorist capability, and has been involved in a number of domestic security operations.

Organisation

Based at TBD, it is a battalion-sized element and is known to be made up of a regimental headquarters, three sabre squadrons, a commando squadron, an engineer squadron, and a support squadron. The strength of the AQSAS is over 500 personnel. As of March 2014, he regiment is believed to be organised as follows:

• Regimental Headquarters
• Ajax Squadron - Special Air Service Squadron
• Badger Squadron - Special Air Service Squadron
• Ceylon Squadron - Commando Squadron
• Duncan Squadron - (Reserve) Special Air Service Squadron
• Echo Squadron – Engineer Squadron
• Support Squadron

A, B and D Squadrons - Special Air Service

The three AQSAS Sabre Squadrons are combat units capable of conducting a wide range of Special Operations tasks. Each squadron is approximately 65-strong, and is divided into four troops (Air, Boat, Mobility and Mountain). A troop comprises

After completing the full NZSAS Regiment selection course, NZSAS candidates go on to undertake an intensive training cycle to build core skills. Those who complete the training cycle are accepted into the NZSAS and wear the sand beret with NZSAS badge and blue NZSAS stable belt. NZSAS operators then conduct further training to learn advanced special operations skills.[22]

A troop comprises four patrols with five or six operators in each patrol,[189] and is commanded by a captain with each patrol commanded by a sergeant.[190] For surveillance operations the SASR usually operates in patrols; however, for CT operations it usually employs larger force elements.[191] Support personnel include signallers, mechanics and technicians, medical staff, storemen, drivers, caterers and various specialists.[13] It was reported in 2012 that six female soldiers were being trained in the United States.[177] As of 2003, 152 Signal Squadron comprised four troops.[192] Military dogs, designated Special Operations Military Working Dog (SOMWD), have been members of the SASR since 2005, seeing service in Afghanistan and have their own memorial.

While the SASR is a regular army unit, it also has a pool of Army Reserve personnel. These soldiers are former regular Army members of the SASR or specialists.

Following the release of the Brereton Report into war crimes in Afghanistan, it was announced that 2 Squadron would be struck from the Army's order of battle due to its association with war crimes, and that over time the regiment would re-raise a differently titled squadron.

Alliances

• Greater Niagara - Special Air Service