[looking for] Kitlist for a SAS OP during Falkland war

[671-176]

Hope this the right place:

Hi there,

some time ago i read an article about the kit , especialy number and kind of arms, which a four men patrol of the sas would have taken to an observation post. The article pointed out that although their job was gathering intelligence, they had a HUGE amount of weponry (like 2 LAWs, 15Hgs, 300+Rounds - per trooper) in case they were spottet and attacked. Does anyone of you know this article or a source where i might find an "SAS Kitlist during falkland war"?

Thanks in advance!

[mikec62001]

Maybe if the four-man recce SEAL team in Operation Red Wing had also taken more firepower...maybe they would have gotten out :o(

They only carried Mk12 and M4 Carbines...no M60E3s or Mk48 Machine Guns

It was said in Marcus Luttrell's book "Lone Surviror" that they didn't want to carry any heavier weapons because of the weight and they would be operating in steep moutainous terrain...and would be hard to move in the terrain.

Maybe that was a bad choice...maybe it would have made no difference...who knows...

[PrivatePyle]

Maybe that was a bad choice...maybe it would have made no difference...who knows...

From my limited knowledge it seems they were put into an area where they didnt expect enemy to be present, and the odds were so overwhelming I dont know if the extra firepower would of changed the final outcome.

[Chops]

Maybe if the four-man recce SEAL team in Operation Red Wing had also taken more firepower...maybe they would have gotten out :o(

They only carried Mk12 and M4 Carbines...no M60E3s or Mk48 Machine Guns

It was said in Marcus Luttrell's book "Lone Surviror" that they didn't want to carry any heavier weapons because of the weight and they would be operating in steep moutainous terrain...and would be hard to move in the terrain.

Maybe that was a bad choice...maybe it would have made no difference...who knows...

I think teenagers quarterbacking Naval Special Warfare is a little rich don't you? Ever spent any time at all in mountainous terrain? Ever had to carry your food, water, ammunition, radios, cameras on your back? They were a reconnaissance element, not a fighting patrol.

[mikec62001]

I know Alpha 525 had similar situation where they were compromised...they were double the size (8 men) and had M16s 203, MP5 SDs...(no heavier weapons)

They only got out due to Close Air support from some F16s...

Marcus's team couldn't get comms up to call in air support....and were positioned on the side of a steep mountain...surrounded on 3 sides by the enemy..odds were stacked up against them!.for sure!..so maybe whatever they were carrying wouldn't have made a difference...

I don't know whether if you're a small SOF team and you're compromised....would there be cause to terminate the operation....extract and live to fight another day...

In the book he mentions they relocated after the initial encounter with the goat herders...I really don't know.

[Chops]

I don't know whether if you're a small SOF team and you're compromised....would there be cause to terminate the operation....extract and live to fight another day...

In the book he mentions they relocated after the initial encounter with the goat herders...I really don't know.

Crews have been extracted for less

[a_very_ex_STAB]

Hope this the right place:

Hi there,

some time ago i read an article about the kit , especialy number and kind of arms, which a four men patrol of the sas would have taken to an observation post. The article pointed out that although their job was gathering intelligence, they had a HUGE amount of weponry (like 2 LAWs, 15Hgs, 300+Rounds - per trooper) in case they were spottet and attacked. Does anyone of you know this article or a source where i might find an "SAS Kitlist during falkland war"?

Thanks in advance!

You might want to check out a book called 'Falkands Commando' by Hugh McManners.

It's ages since I read it but IIRC he went into some detail about how his naval gunfire OP team operated alongside the SAS/SBS

[PoGo]

I don't know whether if you're a small SOF team and you're compromised....would there be cause to terminate the operation....extract and live to fight another day...

In the book he mentions they relocated after the initial encounter with the goat herders...I really don't know.


I have a very limited knowledge in this area but I do know that recce teams take absolutely no chances. They will extarct for somehting that might seem like not a big deal to the average person, becuase if they didn't we be having situations like Redwing left and right.

[Hauser]

O have a book that claims that an SAS soldier in the Flaklands could carry an M-16 with 6 mags, 200 extra rounds loose, an MP5 SD, a browning under the arm, a claymore, a few frag and a WP grenade, radio, knife and a stinger missile launcher, along with all their personal kit. This seems like an exceptionally excessive case, especially with the stinger.

Also, check out this tread: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8401
It covers the Pebble island raid, but also mentions the kit that the people were carrying.

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

I know Alpha 525 had similar situation where they were compromised...they were double the size (8 men) and had M16s 203, MP5 SDs...(no heavier weapons)

They only got out due to Close Air support from some F16s...

Marcus's team couldn't get comms up to call in air support....and were positioned on the side of a steep mountain...surrounded on 3 sides by the enemy..odds were stacked up against them!.for sure!..so maybe whatever they were carrying wouldn't have made a difference...

I don't know whether if you're a small SOF team and you're compromised....would there be cause to terminate the operation....extract and live to fight another day...

In the book he mentions they relocated after the initial encounter with the goat herders...I really don't know.


Maybe you should take the advice already rendered and stop second guessing those on the ground based on a book and what ever other facile experience you feel the need to share with us.

[mikec62001]

No worries mate

[Vince S]

Not exactly kit list, but these are pictures of SAS belt kits. You'll be able to figure out what could be carried in these. As for what was in the bergen, I have no clue.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/scan0003.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/sasbeltkit4.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/sasbeltkit-1.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/sack.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/IMGP0784.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/ee0cf322-1.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/ee0cf314.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/beltkitlight.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/belt-1.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/b7_1_b-1.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/0459006-R1-007-2.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/100_0257.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/pvtvince/81_1_b.jpg