Special Air Service

The Special Air Service (SAS) is a <a href="/facts/Special_forces/KzAwTazD">special forces</a> unit of the <a href="/facts/British_Army/StuY9Jy2">British Army</a>. It was founded as a regiment in 1941 by <a href="/facts/David_Stirling/dM68lutG">David Stirling</a>, and in 1950 it was reconstituted as a <a href="/facts/Corps/m5cpn7ql">corps</a>. The unit specialises in a number of roles including <a href="/facts/Counter-terrorism/XSzTcfND">counter-terrorism</a>, <a href="/facts/Hostage_rescue/qSj97tLY">hostage rescue</a>, <a href="/facts/Direct_action_(military)/GJfR2cDY">direct action</a> and <a href="/facts/Special_reconnaissance/rMa6T22u">special reconnaissance</a>. Much of the information about the SAS is highly <a href="/facts/Classified_information/og7wn3tD">classified</a>, and the unit is not commented on by either the <a href="/facts/British_government/3zLlUWbx">British government</a> or the <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)/9TG9a0ss">Ministry of Defence</a> due to the secrecy and sensitivity of its operations.
The corps currently consists of the 22 Special Air Service Regiment, which is the regular component, as well as the <a href="/facts/Artists_Rifles/2Mq1Lgv1">21 Special Air Service Regiment (Artists) (Reserve)</a> and the <a href="/facts/23_Special_Air_Service_Regiment_(Reserve)/E3VEtrxp">23 Special Air Service Regiment (Reserve)</a>, which are reserve units, all under the operational command of <a href="/facts/United_Kingdom_Special_Forces/c76U3d1h">United Kingdom Special Forces</a> (UKSF). Its sister unit is the <a href="/facts/Royal_Navy/Xdy8YCH7">Royal Navy</a>'s <a href="/facts/Special_Boat_Service/hh31P5kX">Special Boat Service</a>, which specialises in <a href="/facts/Naval/TwPq0TNP">maritime</a> counter-terrorism. Both units are under the operational control of the <a href="/facts/Director_Special_Forces/LvhT9802">Director Special Forces</a>.
The Special Air Service traces its origins to 1941 and the <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">Second World War</a>. It was reformed as part of the <a href="/facts/Territorial_Army_(United_Kingdom)/afpW5yMo">Territorial Army</a> 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 <a href="/facts/Iranian_Embassy_siege/mVtRhwWx">Iranian Embassy siege</a>.

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Special Air Service