Marine reacts to the UK's Most Secretive SF Unit (E Squadron)

To be the top of an already Tier 1 unit means each operator is capable of a multitude of skills. About as many skills, if not more than you would find in an entire infantry company.
Original video: • The UK's Most Secretiv...
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#sas #esquadron #specialairservice

[@nudaveritas8195]

Probably the best special forces unit on the planet. Absolute badasses!

[@PhileusActual]

Great footage of John McAleese driving a "Pinky"! The guy was a real legend! Rip sir!

[@GaryScottPhotographer]

All that 'daring do' and 'boys own stuff' comes at a price. Those lads are not indestructible. Take a mental moment to remember those faceless troopers we will never hear of. RIP lads. You were and always will be the best of the best.

[@thegamingeconomist3831]

Of course, as you mentioned, this video uses a lot of visual material not related to the SAS - but I spotted the legendary John McAleese in some footage lifted from an old "SAS Survival Secrets" series TV show. "Mac" was the basis for Captain Price in the Call of Duty series, and was also the guy who famously blew his way from the balcony into the Iranian Embassy. Mac was the quintessential SAS soldier, smart, wiry, and very, very tough. He also had a healthy mistrust of authority and didn't take crap from anyone, infamously telling Margaret Thatcher to "Move your heid, woman" while he was watching a television news broadcast about their raid on the embassy. Sadly, he died in 2011 of a heart attack, not long after his son was killed on tour in Afghanistan. Gone, but definitely not forgotten, and still inspiring a new generation of SF operators.

[@wtls000]

Thank you for this comment, I didn’t know any of that. RIP to that legend and his son 🙏

[@ejd7881]

who cares

[@uranusismightybig5111]

​@@ejd7881you do

[@paul8161]

​@@ejd7881people other then you clearly 🙄. Silly comment tome again I see,oh well nevermind.

[@ejd7881]

@@paul8161 ok buddy

[@davehogg63]

A corporal in the SAS is the equivalent of sergeant in other special forces. Christian Craighead ( Obi Wan Nairobi ) is not the name I knew him as when he was a school friend of my son. I am so proud of him and still in touch with him, especially when he attends armistice day celebrations in his home town.

[@jacka3621]

Not sure if you've seen mate but Magnus Midtbo who you've reacted to before has done a video with the Norweigen Coastal Ranger Commando and I think you'd love it. I'm pretty sure it's part 1 of a 2 part video as he mentions a mission but that's not out yet, maybe check it out now or wait until a potential part 2!

[@pekka75]

Brilliant suggestions Jacka! 👍

[@paparoach007]

I was going to recommend Magnus but you beat me to it 😄Magnus makes fantastic content and someone like our boy CAC would enjoy I'm sure.

[@jacka3621]

@@paparoach007 Just got back home from work to see he uploaded the second part!

[@coffeeguy6673]

Here in the UK we also have the SCS...that's Sofa and Carpet Specialists 🤣, this is actually true !! Seriously, great video, appreciate your support for your own and our military units, cheers.

[@thert.hon.thelordnicholson7261]

Don't forget, if there is a mission that requires specialist sofa tactics, the UK government will usually send DFS instead of SCS. People argue about who is better, but they perform different roles, with different training.

[@helensmusings]

Ah the nostalgia of MFI 😂

[@Nttmf]

Hilarious guy’s 😂😂

[@LEESS1005]

The guy driving the pinkie with the big moustache is Johnny Mac,John McAleese MM,SAS.the actual person who Captain Price in Call of Duty wa based around

[@aliverbirduponmychest3055]

Members of SRR, or E Squadron are invited for selection, obviously their military skillset and prior experiences within SF play a major part, but they are chosen for their high levels of intelligence, their composure, moreover their ability to be anonymous, their ability to not stand out in a crowd, unlike the popular depiction of James Bond or a Jason Bourne. One thing not mentioned within this brief clip is the heavy reliance on female operator's, especially teams of female operator's, The amount of training these guys go through is incredibly impressive. I lost a friend in Helmand who passed after being hit with an RPG twice in 4 day's. At one point was instructing courses in jungle survival, mountain survival, demolition, parachute drops, scuba diving, skiing, escape and evasion, weapons training, the list goes on.

[@phoenixw2]

Much of the back-ground footage is British troops fighting on the ramparts of the Qala-i-Jangi prison during the uprising in Afghanistan [2001]. But they were SBS rather than SAS. [x-ref very informative video that can be found on KZbin].

[@estellemelodimitchell8259]

Some footage showing the battle of Qala-e-Jangi, dudes wearing no helmets and one of them firing machine gun from the hip. They are SBS guys, often mis-ID as SAS by the press.

[@michaelshaw8370]

No matter your prior rank you start as a trooper. Every intake has approx 240/280 recruits. By the end of selection only 4/8 will make it with a further 12 months probation before you are fully considered as operational. SAS and SBS have for many years had a shared selection and training have been working with each other closely in multiple situations. For example according to the official record. The first boots dry during the retaking of the Falklands in 82 was a Royal Navy artillery spotter. Not only was that wrong he was escorted in by two SF troopers supposedly both SBS who actually were feet dry first. The first on the beach was a member of the SAS. He later spent many years in Northern Ireland. The Det Finally he was joint lead of Bravo Three Zero in the Gulf. The Scud Hunters he was personally decorated by Schwarzkopf after that job. Just like Chris Ryan (Colin Armstrong) Bravo Two Zero. Both guys from the North East. Colin from Rowlands Gill Tyne& Wear. Mal was from Darlington County Durham.

[@markbuckle2222]

The jeep driver was john mcaleese from the Iranian embassy seige 1980 and another one i recognised was eddie stone they have been in sas shows before old school

[@GazT-i8b]

None were para or marine !

[@stevelondonse23]

Quite a few points to make: 1. Any soldier who has served two years may enter selection for the SAS. 2. Upon completion of selection they revert to the rank of Trooper. Majority of soldiers joining SAS have already attained rank (L/Cpl. Cpl. Sgt, Staff Sgt) in their own regiment or corps. 3. In the first five years of SAS service (after selection) a soldier can be Returned to Unit (RTU'd) for specific reasons (attitude, breaking the law, discipline etc.). 4. At five years, those with the aptitude are invited to join the 'Permanent Cadre' of the SAS and are expected to spend the rest of their career in the SAS. Most of these soldiers will be Sergeants or will be expected to attain that rank within a year. 5. The SAS operational squadrons nominally have 64 soldiers (excluding HQ element) but are always understaffed due to high standards and deaths. As such, Sergeant posts come up reasonably regularly and the best can be promoted within five years of joining the SAS (after selection) 6. Concerning E Sqdn/Increment. In 1991 as Saddam Hussein was invading Kuwait, British Airways flight 149 was somehow allowed to land in Kuwait. A small group of young men onboard disappeared into the night whilst other passengers were taken hostage by the Iraqi's. Multiple, credible, sources have said the men were from the Increment - both UK and US sources - and this episode and the Increment were discussed in the Houses of Parliament. UK government have repeatedly said there were no UK soldiers on board ( (hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2007-04-27/debates/07042736000004/BAFlight149?highlight=%22special%20forces%22; www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58087520). This brings up the potential that the men had 'left' the SAS for a period of time, only to 'return' at the same rank later. This is not so far-fetched as a small number of SAS men did this in Yemen in the 1960s (the CO of 22 SAS hand-picked the men to go for two years). Whilst it is now known that UK conducted a covert war in Yemen in the 1960s - via UK mercenary companies and involving true ex-SAS men - the few 'ex-SAS' men sent by the SAS CO were not mercenaries. Their role was much more specific, deniable and involved direct action with rebels involved in that conflict.

[@benjiman46]

I think in Yemen and the British Airways incident are known as 'black bag ops' where they're basically fired from the British Army and MI6 shell companies are used to buy plane tickets, provide weapons and pay their wages so the UK Government has total deniability. I think a black bag op was once used in Kosovo after two SAS soldiers were court martialed, but then started working for a private security company, 'training' the enemy troops (gathering intel and drawing maps for the SAS) and when the assault went down, they turned their weapons on the guys they'd been 'training' 😂 legends!

[@ash00sufc]

That commons debate is mental

[@djrigmarole7077]

3 years minimum service 😊

[@graceygrumble]

You talked over the 'Boat Troop' bit and I might not have heard correctly, but the SBS is not a part of the SAS. Which is what the narrator was alluding to, I think. The SBS are a whole, different ball-game - equally bloody mental! The SAS and SBS lads will nod to each other. The rest of us bow.

[@stedevo3812]

The SAS and SBS is exactly the same apart from the obvious one is land and one is water based. They go through the exact same training TOGETHER then you actually get the option to choose which one you go in. Seen a interview with Ant Middleton and he said I had a choice so he joined the SBS which I found confusing because he was in Afghanistan charging through compounds but I guess there all trained the same way and warfare is not based on water ( especially not in Afghanistan)

[@davidlauder-qi5zv]

You possibly misunderstood. The SAS (which, of course, is the British Army's special forces unit) has section called Boat Troop which carry out water borne operations, such as beach landings. Then there is the Royal Navy's special forces unit, the Special Boat Service (SBS) which carries out the full range of amphibious warfare operations - deep diving, parachuting into the sea, boarding oil rigs and ships at sea, underwater demolition, infiltration and exfiltration by submerged submarine, etc.

[@davidlauder-qi5zv]

​​@@stedevo3812No, they are not exactly the same. They are separate special forces units. 22 SAS is an army regiment primarily tasked with land-based operations, whereas the Special Boat Service is the Royal Navy's special forces unit. Until a few years ago they had separate selection courses. But now both SAS and SBS candidates go through "Special Forces" selection, which lasts 6 months. At the end of that period, successful SAS candidates are "badged". But SBS candidates who have passed this SF course, still have a further few months of training to complete, this time in amphibious warfare, before they can be "badged" as "swimmer/canoeists " in the SBS. Given that in the first 6 months of training, however, the SBS have undergone the same selection process as the SAS, they are sometimes sent on land-based operations alongside their their SAS colleagues. That is why the SBS were deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside the SAS.

[@graceygrumble]

@@davidlauder-qi5zv. I'm pleased you cleared that up. Cheers.

[@AndreKgooner]

Great vid. I'd recommend you do a video of the top castles in the UK. As its and island there were invaders from all directions and castles were set up all over to defend each region. Well worth a watch.

[@cubeflinger]

I notice John Mac features a lot in this video. I used to work with him in his later years. Top bloke. RIP

[@blackskull8440]

The Land Rover WMIK is usually used by UKSF, when I went to MusaQala Afghanistan in 2008 I got flight up with Pathfinders and they basically got off and jumped in they vehicles and where gone.. sure I seen them in Basra Iraq in 2004 also,

[@thepagan5432]

The spark that started the SAS was the LRDG Long Range Desert Group, operating primarily in North Africa during WW2. The SAS also respond to MI5 within the UK. The SAS train in some of the most inhospitable places in the world. Often we see them doing mountain exercises on Pen-y-Van in the Brecon Beacons in Wales. However, some say that the SBS are just as good as the SAS, personally I have no opinion, I am just glad that they keep the UK safe, along with the other special forces.

[@davidlauder-qi5zv]

Wrong. The LRDG began in the 1930s as an amateur bunch of reconnaissance enthusiasts in the North African deserts. When WW2 started the Group was formalised as a "behind the lines" unit capitalising on it's expertise in reconnaissance. They were not intended to be, nor were they used as, a fighting unit. It was not the "spark" that started the SAS. The SAS were created in 1941 specifically as a fighting unit, by David Stirling, a Scots Guards Officer. The initial aim was that the SAS would attack and destroy enemy planes at Luftwaffe airfields in Libya. Before the SAS were able to acquire transport of their own, the LRDG initially provided a sort of taxi service to the SAS, transporting them in their vehicles to the airfields and back to their desert hide outs. The LRDG were under strict orders from Army HQ in Cairo to avoid contact with the enemy if at all possible. Eventually, David Stirling was able to acquire for the SAS transport of their own, and the LRDG returned solely to reconnaissance duties, monitoring the locations and movements of Afrikakorps troops and vehicles and passing the information to Cairo.

[@jackmcgregor1983]

My grandfather was a founding member of Britains Special Forces. George Duncan Military Cross and Bar (meaning he won the MC twice). He carried out early missions with the SAS and then went on to the SBS. He carried out successful operations in North Africa, destroying Nazi infrastructure and then in Sicily, Greece and Crete. He was eventually captured by the Nazis. He suffered mock executions and was starved. He came back with his health wrecked but went on to serve his community as a journalist, a scout club leader where he took in some of the nearby towns most disadvantaged kids and helped them get into the armed services and even the Special Forces. He obviously suffered from some form of PTSD but that wasn’t acknowledged back then. He was deprived of tobacco and when he came home he chain smoked. He died aged 47, no doubt as a result of the privations suffered under the Nazis. As a prisoner the Nazis tried to turn him with the promise of good food and cigarettes if he joined something called ‘The League of Saint George’. (Edit).

[@paulAnthony7236]

They took the SAS in .They were not the fore runner of the SAS.

[@davidlauder-qi5zv]

@@paulAnthony7236 The LRDG did not "take in" the SAS. They remained separate bodies, with different roles. Until the SAS were able to provide their own transport, however, the LRDG were used as a sort of desert taxi service, transporting SAS units to their target airfields.

[@paulAnthony7236]

@@davidlauder-qi5zv They did take the SAS in and they were separate bodies Never said they were the same and the they are not the fore runner of the SAS so you are wrong.

[@ThisWontEndWell]

There is a reservist signals and military intelligence unit that operates out of Bletchley (very close to Bletchley Park) that works closely with UKSF... The UK MP David Davis used to be a member so it is often claimed in the media that he was SAS.

[@contingency9]

He was SBS who I think are just as good. He started as a Royal Marine who are bordering SF to start with as are the Parachute Regt which was my lot.

[@lewisb85]

He was SBS as was the late MP Paddy Ashdown.

[@terranaxiomuk]

My mate was in the royal signallers. He did training in Bletchley, which is in our home city.

[@BigDW9762]

Actually promotion in the British army is quite long and lengthy, you're looking at being a Private/Trooper for 4-5 years, and Lance Corporal(one stripe) after 4-6 years and full Corporal after 8 years service, most dont reach Sgt until 10-12 years but there are exceptions, i knew a guy who reached Sgt at 8 years and he was considered a flyer, ie, a shit hot soldier.. Rank for us isnt the same as the US military which seem to get rank for just completing basic training.

[@A21-m4e]

that’s true for every other aspect of the army but within the SAS/SBS you gain rank every 2 years automatically so it’ll only take 6 years to reach SGT

[@andywilliams7323]

The SAS/SBS isn't like the rest of the Army and Marines. They're small units, and promotion up to sergeant happens significantly faster.

[@BigDW9762]

So, look at the Bravo 2-0 Patrol.. The Sgt in charge, Billy M. (Andy McNab), was 32 years old he was a Junior Sgt, who had served 7 years in the SAS, and was considered a shit hot operator, Sgt Vince P. Was, who died of exposure, was 38 years old, also a Sgt, 11 years in the regiment, he was nearly finished in the army and if he'd have finished his time at 40 and still a Sgt, he'd have been considered as having a good career.. Cpl Colin A. (Chris Ryan) and Cpl Bell (Dinger) both 28-29, both served 6-8 years at that time.. I could go on.. And although I will admit its faster in places for certain operators, its only faster by a year or so.. In fact, 90% of the blokes who make up the CRW wing(E Sqn) are old and crusty Sgts and S/Sgts who are in their 40s, usually mid to late, and their skills are too hard gotten and far reaching to just retire at 40.. Or it used to be.. God knows what they've done to it these days.

[@disposabull]

The people saying promotion in SF is faster are correct but the government is spending a lot more money upskilling SF vs regular RMs or Paras. That said even in the RMs, a British Royal Marine Sergeant will probably have ten years of service and more battlefield autonomy to make decisions than a US Marine Corp Captain.

[@lancewhitchurch512]

Don't you think if they wanted you in the unit they would just promote you in some cases?

[@RedGameWars]

The E squadron have seen so many faces, have been so many places and climbed many different coloured hills.

[@reaperofinsanity3370]

When joining either SAS or SBS rank resets back to trooper. 18 Signals are the signals support for UKSF units.

[@timhannah4]

Thought that was 264 Sqn!

[@mikemccord72]

​@@timhannah4264 come under 18 sigs

[@reaperofinsanity3370]

@@timhannah4 264 are one of the Squadrons in 18 Signals and the one tasked to support SAS but 267 supports SRR etc. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18_(UKSF)_Signal_Regiment#Component_sub-units

[@rikaardyyz3039]

Yeah this video ain't the most accurate informative ever made lol , Like SBS are often backed up by 148 RA acting as FAC, commando and Jump trained and both at Poole. When he says" I wonder how much of this video is SAS lol probably hardly any ✌️

[@didgerb72]

If you went on Selection as a regular Army with lcpl or cpl. Once badged you revert back to private. In the Regts case Trooper. As most guts apply with 3 to 6yrs service already under their belt. I was 63 SAS Sigs T.A. unfortunately broke my back on charity parachute jump on a weekend off from SAS Signals pre Selection course in march 03. Went on the June Selection with a broken back. Til my body let me know. Shame the Nhs never helped til 2010. All damage done by then. Won't ever let it beat me. I served 3 different times in the British Army. 1st time: June to Oct 88 (5 months) in Royal Artillery as a 16 yr old Junior Leader. I ruptured my Achilles tendon, so either backsquad, or rejoin at 17.5yrs. So I reinlisted in 89 as Adult (Regulars) entrant. 2nd time: 03/01/90 to 14/03/93 (3yrs) in Royal Corps of Transport. As a Mariner (Army Maritime trade title). As a Deckhand/Nav, on Army Landing Craft and Mexeflote rafts etc. 3rd time: 02 to 04 in A Troop 63 SAS Royal Signals Sqn T.A. Unfortunately I broke my back doing a charity parachute jump on a weekend off from SAS Signals pre Selection in March 03. I went on the June 03 summer selection. Unaware I had broken it. Miracle I made it as far as I did. All part of my multiple decades of - ongoing multiple degenerative, physical and mental, chronic and acute, health battles. I won't ever let it best me though. My mottos which are proudly tattooed next to my Army tattoos are: "Forward Forever - Backwards Never. Progress Not Perfection. Adapt & Overcome. Never Give Up Or In". "Be comfortable with being uncomfortable".

[@howey935]

My cousin was in the RCT (royal corps of transport ) from 1989 to 1995

[@didgerb72]

Wow that cool @Howey935. Fellow Trogg. Although I wasn't a Driver Trade but RCT Mariner. When I left in march 93, that was 4 weeks before the RCT to RLC Rebadge in April 93. So his last few years til 1995 he would've been RLC (Royal Logistics Corps). Nicknamed The Really Large Corps, as a few other Corps and units amalgamated into it. Weirdly pre 1965 the RCT was known as the RASC (Royal Army Service Corps - or nickname Run Away Someone's Coming. Famously quoted by Fletch in Porridge played by Ronnie Barker. Weird cause Ammo Technicians were part of the RASC, but amalgamated into the Royal Army Ordance Corp in 1965 when the RCT was formed. So in 1993 nearly 28years later the Ammo Tech trade returned to the RCT again along with Army Catering Corp. Also other trades from other cap badges buy not 100%. Do you know if he was a Jnr Ldr when he first joined or joined at adult entry known as Regulars or T.A reserves. Love to know what Regt he was in. Never know mightve crossed paths on a course at Buller Bks or in the RCT somewhere.

[@howey935]

@@didgerb72 I know he joined as an adult regular and next time I see him I’ll find out what regt he was in his name is Gary Rouell and he’s a big tall lad at 6 foot 5

[@didgerb72]

@@howey935 name don't ring a bell.

[@DigitalNomadInvestor]

I think with the four man units and their specialties, although most operators are cross trained, one guy will be tapped to specialize in each of those four specialties to carry the gear for that particular specialty and be tasked to focus on that specialty for the particular mission.

[@stuartallen8684]

Also for clarification…I’m only commenting on the original video, not upon the guy whose channel this is. He’s clearly a very pleasant and level headed individual. I think where things can sometimes get off track is when attempts are made to make direct comparisons between US and UK Special Forces. Eg between any CIA internal spec ops element and a supposed E Squadron. Even though there could easily be a similarity in role it should be remembered that UKSF (as with all UK Armed Forces) are very much smaller and less well funded than any US counterpart. So notions of full strength but invisible Sabre Squadrons are most likely only folklore and mythology. Especially if they’re staffed with Bond-like supermen! But we Brits do like to believe that what we lack in quantity is compensated for by quality. At least that’s what I tell my wife 😂

[@contingency9]

The CIA originally came from the British SOE the American version was called the OSS trained by the British then becoming the CIA. There are invisible "Sabre" squadrons and little and not known SF units throught British forces. Who are the finest in the world.

[@thert.hon.thelordnicholson7261]

That's also what I tell your wife!

[@EggwardEgghands]

3:33 "Feared around the world even by [lists allies]" :D I would think there is respect and competition among colleagues.

[@SteveDonaldson-r5k]

Interesting fact: all the forward air controllers for the UKSF come from a relatively small force, the RAF regiment ( I believe the US does this as well, the FAC's coming from the airforce). When they pass selection and join a unit, they resign from the RAF and immediately become army. I don't know how the SBS goes about this but as they fly jets and have air traffic controllers maybe it's done internally?

[@Living_the_Scottish_Dream]

The image of the sniper that you compared to something off a submarine was probably taken in early to mid 1970s in Northern Ireland judging by lack of Paddy Bashers aka Ni Gloves

[@Shoomer88]

18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment are SF trained guys from the Royal Signals.

[@ALANL4460]

If you want dome insight on stuff SAS does for MI6 a great author to read is Cameron Spence who in one of his books talks about how before Desert Storm he was training Mujahideen off the books during the soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 80s. Andy McNab also talks his RWW involvement in Immediate Action where he was working in Latin America in the late 80s. According to both though RWW is just on a mission by mission basis depending on what skills and expertise are needed then the RWW hand picks men to be temporarily assigned to it for the duration of the mission

[@J1mb3rz]

so glad you didnt mention chris ryans name in the comment..good advice and good books

[@ALANL4460]

@@J1mb3rz Tbh I've not heard him or Des Powell talk about any of their off the books stuff. Peter Radcliffe only talked one off the books job which was already public domain by time he wrote bout it which was Oman

[@iTzMajman]

You know it's secret when people are making YT-videos on it

[@CombatArmsChannel]

😂

[@NeroAngelo616]

In the books James Bond was a Royal Navy Commander, his creator Ian Fleming quoting Wikipedia, "While working for Britain's Naval Intelligence Division during the Second World War, Fleming was involved in planning Operation Goldeneye and in the planning and oversight of two intelligence units: 30 Commando Assault Unit and T-Force. He drew from his wartime service and his career as a journalist for much of the background, detail, and depth of his James Bond novels.".

[@deancollins7933]

A,B,D,G air troop, motor, boat, mountain. They are the standard traditional4. E tropp are 22nd SAS ,butbt hey role in intel gathering requires them to work alongside MI6 (military intelligence 6 / overseas) MI5 is domestic. In the 4 man patrols you will have coms expert, meds expert stand you may a linguist or mechanic also, ...

[@davidabraham945]

That's a legend right there. Never a truer word spoken 👍💯

[@thatstory1092]

They do untold operations behind enemy lines. Unbelievable skills.

[@gmdhargreaves]

About 20 years ago I went to an Army future Tech event, the most amazing thing they had bare in mind this is around 2000 was a camera about 1/4 mile away that could zoom in on each of our isis’s and link that image to our pre scan on a machine and all the tech on show had already been in use for years and they were only then allow to show it off, the tech they have is incredible and we don’t know about it yet ❤❤😮

[@RobG001]

Very funny that the close up of the "SAS' in action appears to be of one bloke!! think his name was Jock, (with the handlebar moustache), he was also took part in the Embassy siege in the early 80's in London. I believe he passed away several years ago now. Those clips shown was older them I am, and I'm in my 50's. :)

[@seangannon193]

18 Signals is UK specials force and work with SAS,SBS along with SFSG & SRR,

[@edgardner6798]

I heard that right after WW2 a group of British soldiers stayed behind to eliminate escaping nazi generals. They called themselves The Increments. Maybe there’s a connection.

[@tomgreen1112]

Sgt in UK regular army takes about 8 years. Not like US military that hand out ranks left right and centre. Before anyone jumps on me, this is info I have from serving soldiers on both UK and US mil. Both retired, both made Sgt. In an interview, Billy Billingham said you "lose" youre rank and become a trooper on being badged and then gain a rank every year or every other year. So SF Sgt in min 5 years after passing selection

[@kariko07]

Sounds about right. The US I assume have a requirement for a larger number of NCO’s and CO’s to provide effective command groups.. just numbers and scale. I suspect (could be totally wrong though just a guess)

[@AndrewShort-u1p]

That is correct, but 8 years is probably the absolute earliest you could possibly look at Sgt. Most decent blokes achieve it 9-12 years. Sgts in the UK are also Platoon/Troop Sgts so more equivalent to US Army 1st Sgt or Sgt 1st Class. A Sgt in the US Army is equivalent (job role wise) to lance Corporal in a 2ic role within a riflemen section.

[@dbz9393]

yeah but surely they fast track sergeants in the UKSF due to the fact their careers are not very long unless you joined as a very young age. 8 years is about the length of a SF career provided they dont destroy their body before

[@AndrewShort-u1p]

@@dbz9393 It's not really fast tracked but more so pre-structured. So when you badge you demote to Tpr every two years you promote. So 6 years.

[@dropsboms6153]

@@AndrewShort-u1p pmsl oh my god that explains a lot. Still have gas masks to trade to u yanks!!

[@wingedwraith]

To be honest I would say that SRR are the most secret unit. Virtually nothing is known about what they do. I'm ex-military and we generally were told what we needed to know about them. Mostly that they were around and no more.

[@andyleavy1]

The Det ;-)

[@joesgotya9930]

@@andyleavy1 LOL no, not the Det 😂 2 different animals

[@inout3513]

It's basically the equivalent of black opps in us ie:- sas dark opps, which are the exact same teams in general but they operate in ghost operations

[@sw01ller]

sergeant in america and sergeant in the UK are two very different things!

[@jamesmason7262]

Enjoyed the video. I don't know whether over in the States you have access to it but I think you may find the British series 'spooks' quite good.

[@themoderntemplar1567]

I agree with @mikespike007 wholeheartedly, we are so indebted to these brave men for things we'll probably never hear of. Their status amongst other special forces is legendary and for good reason. I recently saw a comment that said when the U.S Green berets arrived at some camp in Iraq they put a sign up that read "Second to None", so when the SAS arrived and saw the yanks sign they put up their own that simply said "NONE", brilliant.😂😂😂

[@nicksykes4575]

Hi Theo, I've heard of instances with British Airways flights calling emergences and diverting, then suddenly the emergences over and they can resume their normal flight path. Also, for their medical training, they will do shifts in a Hospital A&E (ER). There are one or two stories of drunken a-holes on a Saturday night, abusing nursing staff, and suddenly getting a rude awakening.

[@KillYourLocalMP]

That nursing part warms my heart, can't stand people abusing hospital staff.

[@anecdotal_mattybs5435]

That’s common for medics in the forces and also the designated medics in sf. There are also trauma courses a lot of guys do which are very “hands-on”.

[@patthemilkman403]

Yeah that one was John Mac according to Rusty Firmin

[@daveybaby10]

Ba offer planes for super halo/haho jumps as they train to jump from passenger planes….I’ve worked in various hospitals and had guys come in on shifts and asking questions …..all respectful and nice normsl guys but we all knew who they were

[@paulcooper903]

They do their med training at A&E but only as observers and do not get hands on (not legally qualified to touch patients or insured). They are very good dealing with drunk and abusive people.

[@roryashman2891]

The likely do have the older landrovers for covert operation, reliable, simple mechanics if they break down and in a lot of countries spare parts and very adaptable

[@pauldavison7105]

The images of messy soldiers firing gpmg over a wall is actually SBS at Qala-i-jangi and not SAS at all , 0:08

[@TheWolfRidge]

Heads up! John Mac at 5.36, go on legend.

[@michealcaseres914]

Wicked, Watching & Listening to good commentary! 👀✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@ronprichard6145]

The central photo at 2.44 and 4,09 is actually NZSAS. They had just spent five hours clearing Taliban from the Intercontinental Kabul.

[@AndrewBearchell-ci3bx]

I think sometimes they are called the blades, they have their own distinct uniform and are given a pay rise after two kills. Or so I read how true this is I cannot say for sure.

[@grahamconquer8117]

After pterodactyl conquer finished his infantry training and parachute course, pterodactyl conquer was a likeable hard working soldier etc etc .

[@TobyBarrows]

Quite a few of the shots like the pink land rover or some of the boat troop was from the show 'SAS Survival Secrets' that was very good I would recommend the counter terrorism episode as they have several former SAS/SBS solider who can explain things

[@alanjf_bradenton_fl]

From 1909 and through the war the Service had a variety of names including the 'Foreign Intelligence Service', the 'Secret Service', 'MI1(c)', the 'Special Intelligence Service' and even 'C's organisation'. But, around 1920, the title the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) was adopted. This is the official title the Service has continued to use ever since. The origins of the use of ‘MI6’ are to be found at the start of the Second World War when this abbreviation was adopted as a flag of convenience for SIS. It was used extensively throughout the war, especially if an organisational link needed to be made with MI5 (the Security Service). Although 'MI6' officially fell into disuse years ago, many writers and journalists continue to use it to describe SIS.

[@MP-uw1qc]

C Squadron was raised to serve in Malaya in the the early 1950s as part of the newly formed 22 SAS (Malayan) Scouts. Many of the volunteers were recruited in Rhodesia. After Malaya a small C Squadron was maintained by the UK in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. After that fell apart they moved to Southern Rhodesia. They would then see extensive service during the Rhodesian Bush War. They became 1 (Rhodesian) Special Air Service Regiment in 1978. It was disbanded in the transition to Zimbabwe in 1980.

[@turn7racing]

Dind you know at 9.06 the mi6 building is designed like this (pirimid shape) due to it location if it came underattack the building would colaps in on its self to minimumise civilian casualty and damage to surrounding buildings, the Army Headquarters in Glasgow is also the same.

[@joesgotya9930]

“The Increment” and E Squadron are 2 different animals. The Increment was a pre GWOT area of 22 SAS that baby sat MI6 chief of stations and their staff. Their job also entailed gauging the threat levels and contingencies of British Embassies in countries that showed more risk of getting attacked. When the GWOT kicked off and the realization of how big vast Al Qaeda was a global network, there became a demand for organizations that could preform Advance Force Operations in clandestine environments. The SRR and 18th Signals were 1st initial units created to meet this demand in 2005-06 and soon later E Squadron was created. E Sqd emulated the American model known as the JSOC AFO program, which was started by 2 Delta Force officers in the early 90s, Major Jake Ashley and Col. Peter Blaber. These conglomerates are “joint” and work in extremely small teams even by SOF norms. The SRR and 18th Signals Regiment were also by emulating the American ISA.

[@daniboy0812]

Listening to the brother in laws B and D Squadron tales are just fascinating. He was involved in the 2012 hostage rescue of British aid worker with 6 other guys after being in D Squadron only 2 weeks and got picked to go

[@neilbadger4262]

To think about E Squadron, I imagine that what they are doing would be grounds to qualify for a VC in other units. But in this unit, it is expected to essentially be Standard Operating Procedure.

[@peglegmotoring]

most of this footage is from a documentary big mac presented about the history of special forces. Thats why you see him driving a pink panther

[@JB-td9fz]

E squadron is basically what black squadron is at damneck and CAG mich have something similar. Lots of AFO typole work.

[@djrigmarole7077]

In the early days of the regiment, they were known as the LRDG or the long range desert group.

[@kurtquintana2941]

Being one of the toughest guys in the world but not famous for it, you just walk through the streets of any place being "one of the crowd". I imagine that being one of them (E Squad), you must want to be recognized by the world at least when you retire, but it won't be like that. That's a bit nostalgic

[@rossr100]

The pic at 2.45 is the New Zealand SAS after ending the siege at the InterContinental hotel in Kabul 2011, not the Brits. Sadly the guy without the helmet died flying a helicopter in NZ a few years ago. I think another in that photo is Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apitata. It's an epic picture. It looks like the video was made with AI after typing in 'SAS' heh

[@ronprichard6145]

Thanks, I was just writing that but you saved me the effort. 😎

[@contingency9]

The original SAS train everyone else including NZ US AUSetc etc etc eh 😄

[@marksproston3264]

I really love the way you speak about the British SAS. Can you put the great work?

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

What do you mean put the great work?

[@deeharris1908]

@13:40 in ur vid the gents with the silver motor wer actual 22reg that took part in the iran embassy siege in londn

[@Avio033]

06:03 Working close with British Airways? What do they do, the safety briefing? Serve you snacks and refreshments? I'm sure they'll be able to handle annoying passengers though. Aint nobody hijacking that plane lol.

[@SuperTyrannical1]

If James Bond from Casino Royale was ex SAS like Vesper implies because of his Omega watch. He would probably have been from E Squadron. 😁

[@ashscott6068]

I thought it was established that Bond was former SBS? He was deffo navy, not army. Not sure where I'm getting that from, but I deffo got it from somewhere.

[@andywilliams7323]

In the Casino Royale film, Vespa guesses/implies Bond is ex-SAS. But on the official websites for the recent Craig era Bond films, it was stated, though not anymore, that Bond was actually ex-SBS. The Craig era films and associated films marked the first time in the franchise that it was hinted or written that Bond had a history with UK special forces SAS/SBS. All films and novels prior to the Craig era never mentioned anything about his career before MI6 beyond him having been a Commander in the Royal Navy.

[@neilg3364]

Vesper said 'ex sas types' so I wouldn't worry too much

[@Teerifficgolf]

Commander bond implies navy. I’ve heard but don’t quote me on it that sas and sbs do the selection programme together and then you have the choice of which unit you want to go to

[@RoswellCrash]

Did he say they’re working with British Airways? The commercial flights operator 😂😂

[@thomaslewis7504]

E Squadron does not fall under mi6. From an orbat perspective they fall under Directorate Special Forces and have a small military ops centre separate from the other squadrons. They carry out activities in non permissable areas where mi6 officers cannot operate such as Somalia and Libya. Additionally they carry out activities which could break laws such as described in this video such as entering countries by circumventing border controls. Most of what is in this video only refers to the regular squadrons. These guys generally operate without all the support of assets hence the secrecy. This often includes complex activities including close surveillance of highly sensitive people or materials at locations which if caught could embarrass the UK or damage international relations.

[@J1mb3rz]

the reg boys have been known to, use op for weapon systems to blend in when on task. close protection all sorts

[@ianmcsherry5254]

I've long thought that your average SIS operator was less James Bond, more George Smiley. Completely grey, anonymous. With the option of bringing in people like E Squadron, if something a little louder needs to happen. Who knows?

[@geoffbentley8774]

SAS the worlds finest.

[@shahzebnasir4692]

Pretty crazy how special ops get all the glory when there are literal black ops teams running missions we would never even hear about. Makes you wonder how many events and incidences around the world are truly organic.

[@1Flyingfist]

None of them. When you here that a cat got stuck up a tree, on local news, believe that. The rest is propaganda and bollox.😅

[@AgentLynch616]

E- squadron are the best of the best. Trained in anything they see fit to improve their effectiveness. Linguistics. Counter intelligence. Hacking. Communications and still be able to kick ass while remaining ghosts 🇬🇧

[@PORTSMOUTH10001]

At @6:12 I can see my house :) I live with SF on my doorstep

[@alicewaria6215]

My Grandad was a signal men/flash spotter for British Army in WW2 and until a year or two before he passed away he kept saying to us that his job was hush hush he couldn't really talk about it. he was trained in a lot of things similar to what was mentioned in this video even a vehicle with a driver seat facing in either direction of the vehicle. Still don't know what he did in the war either. but I will never know.

[@lukeworrall1840]

Was his last name ‘Bond’?

[@petrichor649]

When I was 19 I crashed my motorbike 70 miles from home, a friends Dad, who I'd been told by my friend was in the SAS, yeah, whatever... lol. Anyway, on the way back in his Transit we were pulled by a Police traffic car, they asked for his licence and he refused and wouldn't give his name, it started to get serious, the Dad handed the Policeman a card and told him to call the number, Cop wasn't having it and was told very forcefully to call it in. Cop returns, hands card back and goes back to his car. It was amazing. Doesn't mean he was in the SAS, but it was something.

[@Andrew-is7rs]

To become Sergeant in the SAS after 5 years as a minimum would be prob one of the most difficult tasks any man can undertake

[@nobodycares6633]

There are former Delta units that operate as BlackOps operatives without oversize, own budget, no paper trail, and nothing. These are the undiscovered SF

[@chaos4316]

You can just say contractors.

[@SumoDogs]

@@chaos4316 lol

[@contingency9]

Mickey mouse compared to British SF

[@terranaxiomuk]

PMC's. You make it sound like a fking conspiracy mate 😂

[@HarpoonB2]

Hey bro. Just found your channel. Nice work bro I found it interesting and informative. Keep the good work up bro....Slava Ukraine.

[@heyitsdan99]

You should do an interview with Mark Billy Billingham, it would be class 🎉

[@bw7228]

I love these reactions great video mate 🇬🇧❤🇺🇸

[@Jake-hw9kp]

On the note of the vehicles, they are called "Pinkies" as they were literally painted pink and the SAS used them for decades as they loved them so much. Crazy to think the most deadly men on the planet were hunting down bad guys in pink 4x4s!! For anyone interested a lot of this footage is from a show that came out years ago called SAS Survival Secrets, it's well worth a watch. You probably get more info on how they operate on that show than pretty much anything else I've ever seen.

[@anthonywright6237]

The story behind it is that.. when they would train against absolutely anybody. They were given pink spray paint to humiliate basically everyone.. my uncle woke up with a note on his chest saying bang your dead.. then stood looking at his 25 pounder for 5 minutes trying to work out wether he was seeing things.. every time one of them moved a trap was set off

[@Jake-hw9kp]

@@JimCarnerYeah it was a desert camo thing, apparently it was effective although, like with the planes you mention, nobody does it these days so you’d have to assume it wasn’t actually as effective as they thought was. They were really popular vehicles though, basically every book I’ve read from guys who served in those days normally mentions how reliable and effective they were.

[@Jake-hw9kp]

@@anthonywright6237 at least they let him get a full nights sleep first I guess 😂

[@1ferrozoica]

Duncan Falconerwrote an amazing book about the SBS if you have not read it

[@Discombobulate453]

Lmao. I know the dude with the dog at 8:44. Goes my to my old church!

[@petermw88]

Pretty old film. I recognise at least one guy. He retired over two decades ago.

[@AndersHansen791]

E squadron is formally under the army but it operates at the discretion of SIS (MI6) (also DSF though). They are pretty much analogous to the CIA's SAC in terms of duties, it is just the organisation that is different. As for entry, they are primarily made up of SAS operators (other UKSF - SBS/SRR - contribute but it's mostly SAS's RWW) that pass incredibly stringent background checks, who have served A LOT (experience needed - early 30s is young for E) and whose skill is ridiculous even by SF standards. IONEC is done by those selected as this is what trainee SIS do. They also tend to get funky qualifications/backstories so there is a wide-range of expertises/covers to draw on - fishing trawler licenses, every kind of flying license you can imagine etc. The UKN also only briefly gets a mention here but they work a hell of a lot with E as they are also (kinda) under SIS, conducting surveillance and gathering intel that E/SIS/other UKSF act on. Sadly not much is publicly known/disclosable about them because they aren't the ones that gather the glory by conducting operations, they just gather and hand over the intel then melt away. Speaking of melting away (of lack thereof), the Libya capture story is quite a funny fuck-up. It the only, somewhat confirmed, publicly known operation by E squadron. SIS decide they want to improve communications and contact before getting rid of Gaddafi so they send some of their people. To give a bit of protection, they send some E squadron to effectively babysit their people. They depart from some airbase with a bunch of weapons, secured comms gear, cash and passports. Unfortunately, someone overlooked the fact that landing a chunky helicopter in rural Libya was going to raise some eyebrows. They get detained (because the E squadron babysitters and SIS people come to the conclusion that shooting their way out would be a fairly bad way to build contacts with local fixers) and get taken to Benghazi. To compound the shame of getting their people knicked, the Gaddafi government releases a phone call where a British diplomat effectively begs for them back and says "oops our bad we don't actually want to overthrow you, can we have them back now?". They do get their wish (after much public humiliation) but as a result the case for using UKSF in getting rid of Gaddafi was dead in the water for a few months. There are also some crazy tales about E squadron people being involved in getting rid of "annoying" or "difficult" people (Princess Diana, David Kelly, Gareth Williams) or other targeted assassinations (Milosevic or Gaddafi). Milosevic and Gaddafi are complicated and "involved" can mean many things - draw whatever conclusions you wish. Princess Diana was definitely not. Gareth Williams was probably SVR.

[@Richard500]

Ah! Well pointed out.

[@Kexlar]

The person at 7:43 hosts SAS Who dares wins here in the UK. With X42 on his arm, Jason Fox that's the SBS.

[@EJH_1138]

Lol, some o fthose pictures were NZSAS and SASR

[@bronkomeister]

E SQUADRON are ghosts.

[@jamieharper5665]

Pretty much yeah

[@PatchesSnow]

E Squadron is NOT just within the SAS, do your research again. They have plenty of women. Further, they have lots of training over and above typical SAS or seal training.

[@seaniekay]

The letters are Greek Alpha, beta, delta and gamma

[@zaynevanday142]

Some of that footage is of New Zealand 🇳🇿 SAS 😂😂😂 this is just made up BS

[@ninjay2k317]

The working with british airways part made me laugh, then proceeded to show a c-130, that well known british airways plane lol!!

[@graememorgan9278]

Wasnt there a tv series with a scottish guy called "eddie" and someone called john macalees think his face was always blurred and they should techniques from the sas

[@gilo1303]

Your Intel ops? back in the the early 90's they were celled Green Slime.16/22 Int company. They were primarilarly used to support front of house teeth-Arms. This is no big secret. It's just interesting over the years how this has changed/morphed. Probably becuase of Iraq Afghanistan conflicts. Great to see our joint interoperability has got much better. Largely due to improved comms and not the lack of will.

[@martinadams1971]

Closer to Delta Force or Seal team 6 but you're right that they work on assignments with MI6. They must have served 5 years special forces either SAS or SBS and be ranked Sargent.

[@dbz9393]

All I know is that when you join the SAS you all start as the lowest rank. Becoming a sergeant among such highly skilled technical and talented killers has to be an achievement of its own. Not someone id wanna mess with at all

[@greengoblin144]

No military experience hrere. I would not fuck with these...

[@notreallydavid]

Side thing - doesn't everyone get paid at the specialist rate, d? All best

[@PaddyInf]

​@notreallydavid Ywa, they are on the SF pay band plus get the SF retention pay on top. This goes up incrementally each year.

[@notreallydavid]

@@PaddyInf Thanks Paddy.