.
..
SASR?
Just guessing but I'd say the trooper (far left) providing close protection for Gen. Cosgrove is SASR. Anyone?
4RAR(Cdo) were tasked with the CPP role while Gen Cosgrove and the Defence Minister were over in Iraq. Also provided a convoy escort in gun buggies too. (4WD landies)
If this is an official photo released by the Defence department that means they're definately not SASR as JP don't take photos of SASR boys faces at all unless covered.
So, simple answer, no, this blokes not SASR but rather a Commando from 4RAR(Cdo).
Thanks Biz. I must have got too worked up over the 'stache!
More SASR in Iraq
Another article on SASR in Iraq
SAS soldier cited for battling 20 Iraqi troops-Ballz'0 steel
SAS soldier cited for battling 20 Iraqi troops
By*Tom Allard, Defence Writer
May 19 2003
An SAS soldier who almost single-handedly fought off 20 Iraqi special forces troops in a fierce battle to capture a missile site was yesterday awarded the medal of gallantry by the Prime Minister, John Howard.
Presented at a ceremony in Perth to coincide with the arrival of Australia's special forces contingent to Iraq, it was the first citation for the 2000 Australian personnel involved in the war against Iraq.
Trooper X - a machine-gunner from the 1st SAS regiment, whose identity cannot be revealed - used the brute force of the latest weaponry and precision sniper fire to protect his patrol from numerically superior enemy forces.
The SAS patrol, typically a team of six in two heavily armed long-range patrol vehicles, came under heavy fire in the western Iraqi desert as it approached a military command and control post.
Standing exposed at the back of one of the vehicles and "disregarding his own safety", Trooper X first unleashed a Javelin shoulder-held anti-tank missile at one of two Iraqi vehicles pursuing the SAS, quickly disabling it.
Trooper X then fired off machine-gun rounds against scattering Iraqi troops before launching a second Javelin missile at the other vehicle, hitting it with full force. Spying remnant Iraqi forces setting up a mortar, Trooper X pulled out his rifle and, with his first rounds, hit the base of the mortar tube, exploding it in the face of the Iraqi combatants.
While some Iraqi soldiers soon began to surrender, others were determined to keep up the fight after taking cover.
Further "judiciously placed"shots flushed out the remaining enemy and ensured the mission to destroy the missile site was completed successfully and without injury. "Throughout this engagement, Trooper X demonstrated skills and composure of the highest standard," his citation read.
"He acted with very little direction and his decision and subsequent actions had significant impacts on the outcome of the engagement."
Further awards for ADF personnel are expected and the Government is considering a medal for all those who participated.
Rallies to welcome home the troops are planned for Sydney and Perth later this month.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...196474979.html
what is the point of the british government if the australian government is even allowing former SAS to be interviewed about operations as recent as the taken of the then Saddam airport?
And another thing, another article on the same site, suggested that special forces was going to be australia's "speciality" and the Howard had decided to greatly increase the number of SAS troopers. Surely this means the standard of the troops will go down.
The trooper is still serving, as for the details of the raid , it just basically says that the trooper blew up a heap'0 ****. I think the general public pretty much guessed that part anyway. But that's about as candid as Aus specops boys get, the Australian government will give the public a nibble here, use colourful language but that's about it as far as information goes..I would describe it - skimpy on the facts with added colourful hype, not the fireworks of say a "saving pvt Lynch SCOOP"
The approach works well with the australian psyche, we don't like being treated like mushrooms , but if they pulled off some great work , typically we'll think "yeah, not bad boys, gj" and that will be the end of it-
Typically aussies can't stand people with big egos.
As for the Brit Government, well , let's just say they might be afraid of the creative license of some journalists (unlike CNN lol), with the huge (achievement) vacuum left in the sports section- newspapers will have a feeding frenzy, and god only knows how much arm twisting and prodding around the papers will be doing with their "sources" - not least of all when it's the SAS.
The last thing the British army want is to fuel the market for more SAS War Stories, and it's the guys that are in charge of releasing the info that get the biggest headache from the whole media frenzy- poor bastards.
You'll just have to guy the book when it comes out- with free extra colourful hype.
guy=buy
Niether can most of middle America.The only reason why the Pvt.Lynch event got so much press is because the stupid East Coast morons dont have a clue on what Americans want to see, dead Iraqi soldiers.Typically aussies can't stand people with big egos
We have been involved in an anti-terror conflict in Northern Ireland for over 30 years. The government has had a 'no comment' policy on SF since the early 70's (in 1969 an SAS Squadron deployed to the province wearing berets).Originally Posted by cut
This has partly to protect OpSec (tactics, future Ops etc), partly to protect individuals and families from retaliation and partly in an attempt to counter republican propaganda, with blames their personal bugbear, the 'SAS', for any sucess by the security forces.
Expansion can only mean lower standards. This was mooted after 9/11 in the UK. The government want over 2000 SF personnel. This was pointed out as being clearly impossible.
The current thinking is a two tier SF. Current standards for 'black Ops' ie CT work, and a lower standard group for 'green Ops' ie war fighting. There are suggestions that a Para Bn will be re-rolled in line with the US Rangers as some kind of SF support force, in line with the way they worked in with the hostage rescue of the 1RIR troops held Sierra Leone by the 'West Side Boys'. The same thing may happen in the Corps with what was Commachio Group.
As a general rule yes, but in this case with the ADF "expanding" its SF the standards will not, and have not been, dropped.Expansion can only mean lower standards.
What the media don't print, and what is never mentioned is that the full time SF component of the ADF (SASR and 4RAR(cdo) has been slowly expanded over the past few years, even before the 2000 Olympics.
New Regiments such as the Icident Response Regiment (IRR- NBC type civvie reponse aid..in a basic description) were being set up long before the media was told about and reported it. These things don't just sprout up overnight like the media would have you believe.
Over the past 6-8 years Aussie SF selection has been toughened if anything with the inclusion of new testing standards and methods..eg the introduction of "barrier testing" before an individual can go for either SASR or Commando Selection.
If numbers were needed ASAP (which they aren't, the trickle system of current recruitment will be more than adequate) then the 1st Commando Company could have it's Reserves "poached" for full time status, if need be.
Keep in mind people that in the mid 80's the Government wanted the SASR to be exapanded. SASR and Army brass refused to lower entry requirements etc to gain more troopers....so it took several years to fill the all 3 Squadrons to full opeartional strengh.
Always remember: Politicians say one thing, the media report another, while in reality what is actually happening is something all together different from either.
Biz - I was making my point from a UK view.
Expansion will mean lower standards, because UK SF have been chronicaly understrength for years. The SBS have expanded somewhat, despite joint selection, the Regiment havn't. Reserves are now widely used, with the regular Regiment poaching the best recruits (something they have done for years - 'Chris Ryan' being an example).
those are the kinds of fine soldiers i want on my specops team. those that insticntivily fight with the will to succeed. those who disregard their own safety to protect his team and get the job done. now thats what i call a true warrior.
thanks lads..
I want to take this opportunity to express my gratefulness to the Armed forces of the UK and Australia, as well as Poland and others.. I have the utmost respect for those who fought bravely and for those who died. The American People appreciate real Allies. From a 'Yank'...
He219
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
