APPENDICES

RANKS AT END OF SERVICE/TIME OF DEATH
Steve Callan WO2 Squadron Sergeant-Major
Gavin John Hamilton Captain
Talaiasi Labalaba Sergeant
Michael Lane Major
Don Large WO2 Squadron Sergeant-Major
Pete Loveday Staff Sergeant
Paddy Mayne Lieutenant-Colonel
Len Owens Sergeant
Tommy Palmer Sergeant
John Partridge Staff Sergeant
Vince Phillips Sergeant
Bob Podesta Staff Sergeant
Sekonaia Takavesi Staff Sergeant
Alfie Tasker WO2 Squadron Sergeant-Major
Reg Tayler WO1 Regimental Sergeant-Major
Iain Thomson Sergeant
Tommy Tobin Trooper
Mick Tyler Sergeant
Kevin Walsh WO2 Squadron Sergeant-Major
Pete Winner Staff Sergeant
SAS SQUADRON TROOPS

Mountain Troop

Mountain Troop is responsible for all aspects of mountaineering and skiing. New members with no previous experience will be taught the basics of climbing and Arctic tactics. Many SAS individuals attend courses in Europe, among the best of which is the German Alpine Guides course in Bavaria. The Regiment annually selects two Mountain Troop soldiers to attend the year-long course. Six months is spent on skiing and six on mountaineering.

Normally one of the squadrons will be committed to the NATO winter exercise in Norway.

Air Troop

Previously known as ‘Free-fall Troop.’ Every SAS soldier is required to be parachute-trained before he can enter a squadron. Air Troop extends beyond these normal static-line procedures and practises HAHO (High-Altitude High-Opening) jumps. This allows the men to glide some 30km on to a target. Air Troop also uses unusual entry methods, including micro-lights and power-kites.

There is an Air Troop with each squadron, normally referred to as the ‘Prima Donnas’. Their tasks are more individual, as they are normally only involved with the rest of the squadron in the path-finding role, going in ahead of the main force to secure and mark a drop zone or landing area.

Mobility Troop

Often previously referred to as ‘Land Rover Troop’, Mobility Troop operates using a variety of vehicles, of which the SAS ‘Pink Panther’ or ‘Pinkie’ is best known. The Regiment decided to paint their vehicles a dusky pink when an old aircraft, shot down during World War II, was found in the middle of the desert – the sand had burnished it pink.

Other vehicles used by Mobility Troop include KTM 350 and Honda 250 motorbikes; the Honda is preferred as it is very quiet.

Courses for members of Mobility Troop cover several weeks with the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers), learning basic mechanical fault-finding and training in cross-country conditions.

Amphibious Troop

Previously known as ‘Boat Troop’, Amphibious Troop concentrates on all water insertion methods. These include diving and even swimming ashore on a surf-board. In recent years, members of the SBS (Special Boat Service) have been stationed at Hereford and joined with the SAS in cross-training. Several operations have been jointly carried out using the SBS for actual water insertion and during the Falklands War they demonstrated how truly professional they are.

CHRONOLOGY
World War II 1939–1945
The Korean War 1950–53
The Malayan Campaign 1950–57
Suez Crisis 1956
The Jebel Akhdar – Northern Oman 1958–59
Borneo Campaign 1962–66
South Yemen (Aden) 1964–68
Southern Oman (Dhofar) 1971–76
Battle of Mirbat 19 July 1972
Northern Ireland 1969 onwards
Iranian Embassy Siege 1980
The Falklands War 1982
First Gulf War 1991