Elite British SAS Have Lost 1/6 of their Fighting Force in Afghanistan

Phylo, I agree with you. You are always a level head.

Mike

 

And of course...it's not over There are going to be a LOT more casualties to come. As long as the war continues as it does, "covert" operations on both sides as well as field actions, they're going to continue to be right in there at the pointy end - can't not be.

In fact - even if the field operations are successful, and the war progresses as far as a long period of security operations, policing, rooting out of a covert guerilla/terrorist organisation...what that means is that the SAS' percentage of the overall "workload" can only increase. As the Allies take back control of various areas, pacify them...and eventually hand them back to the Afghan government/army - the SAS will almost certainly remain there doing their particular specialist job in support of the "domestic" security forces, even when the regular Army rolls on to the next operation elsewhere in Afghanistan.

The one thing we'll NEVER officially know is....does the present rate of selection and training for the SAS keep pace with the casualty rate???

 

Don't forget the UKSF has changed dramatically over the last few years with a SF support logistics section and even a Bn of the Parachute Regiment are defined as SF now. Casualty figures from these units are most likely to be included too which would contribute to the 1/6 figure assuming this is accurate which I don't think it is.

If the SAS/SBS has lost 1/6 of their regular regiments you would see more press releases of random regimental deaths like a Coldstream Guards and Royal Marine killed together. All the deaths reported at the moment in the main are from Infantry Bn's that are currently pushing 6 months.

At the end of the day if it was true I still don't believe those figures would be in the public domain for security reasons if nothing else.

Cheers
A

 

Good point drew. Spec opns is NEED to KNOW and frankly the general public doesnt need to know.. ESP the DIRTY DEEDS these magnifcent men do. If the public knows so will the bad guys. Youll rarely ever hear about the sucessful Spec opns missions. Why tell the bad guys theyre operational tactics or kit.

 

Ha...I just clicked on the link for the first time, rather than reading R6's cut and paste. For starters those chaps in the picture are 100% NOT 22. And the figures do include all the other units.

Bullshit media talking out of their hoop again

I wish the press would get advisors who know what they are on about, it winds me up when the news refer to Royal Marines as being in the Army, just the other day I was spitting feathers when BBC's Bill Turnbull covered the award of two George Cross's and refered to them as Britains highest award for Gallantry (Obviously used because the medal has Gallantry written on it) when this remark in itself could be misleading. It does bother me when obvious errors are made where no one has bothered to check the basics that even wikipedia get right.

And while I'm venting...........Whats with all this woe is me, I'm having to but my son equipment before he deploys because the army doesn't provide him with the correct kit on Question Time. What a load of BS. All the MP's could say is 'Oh, thats so wrong', and one of them was allegedly on the Palimentary Defence Select Committee. She obviously only turned up for the tea and cakes in the afternoon. I wish someone would challenge these parents that are trying to score some sort of political brownie points on the show.

Joe Bloggs Squaddie is better equipped today personal kit wise than the British Army has ever been. Infact within the 4 years of me leaving virtually eveything is different, even the uniforms-I wonder if the 'Draws, Mens' have changed

Can you tell I hate the media when it comes to all things military

Cheers

 

The US Army kit is pretty good except for the NEW army Combat uniforms, I hate them. ya can see a pic of me in mine on my profile pic. the velcro is worthless and collects dirt,. theyre ill fitting and wear out quickly and the camo pattern in say Afghanistan is BULL

 

The US Army kit is pretty good except for the NEW army Combat uniforms, I hate them. ya can see a pic of me in mine on my profile pic. the velcro is worthless and collects dirt,. theyre ill fitting and wear out quickly and the camo pattern in say Afghanistan is BULL

I'd place a bet that you don't want to swap with a Norwegian one, though. Velcros as cited, uniform wears out (right through the fabric) after having been washed 6-8 times and as for fitting :angry2:??? They are probably made to measure for a male Viking 6 ft tall weighing 90 kgs. Female sizes unavailable (Yes, I could do with one).
BTW when it comes to the new otherwise high spec ballistic vest, authorities have decided that female version is not required. Thank you very much, mr generals! If the vest doesn't fit me snugly, it gives only a fraction of the intended protection. Maybe I ought to stay in-camp to do some cooking and cleaning ?
On the positive note, the camo pattern isn't that bad:

 

Or swipe a US ineterceptor vest and sapi plate LOL

 

But that would surely ruin the :ph34r: qualities...

:patriot[1]:

 

Hi Drew
"The Quiet Soldier" on selection with 21 SAS by Adam Ballinger paperback ISBN 1-8579-7158-2 will give details he joined 1989
Regards
Steve