Who Dares Sins
Quote from DavidFullard on December 12, 2023, 2:27 pmWhat is going on with the SAS? There is currently a major statutory inquiry taking place into allegations that up-to 80 suspected Taliban prisoners were summarily executed after capture between 2010-2013 by SAS Troops, (these deaths are described as ‘Extra Judicial Killings [EJKs])! The allegations were allegedly discussed at the highest levels within the SAS and then filed away according to reports, amidst suspicions of a major cover up. The outcome of the inquiry may well result in some further very unwelcome, headline inducing, judicial events!
Today I read 2 serving members of the SAS plus a wife of a serving SAS member have all been released on bail accused of Class A drug offences following a police raid on a farm. There is talk of large scale drug dealing.
I only once had a brief encounter with the SAS during my 30+ years in uniform. It was in Riyadh in the lead up to the 1st Gulf War. The SAS I met during that encounter I found to be ill disciplined, scruffy and just a tiny bit full of themselves. I think I have written of this once before, their Troop Commander apologised to me for their behaviour.
I have always held the SAS in the highest esteem despite my short experience of them in Riyadh. I recognise entirely that the nature of their job necessitates SAS Troopers being exceptional in all aspects of warfare and survival techniques rather than some of the more mundane aspects of everyday soldiering.
Over the years a number of revealing books have been written by ex SAS members of their various escapades. Added to the several TV series presented and hosted by former colleagues ‘The Regiment’ no longer enjoys the same shrouds of mystique and secrecy it once did….in my opinion.
What with the recent damning inquiry into misogynistic and sexualised behaviour of the Red Arrows…another erstwhile military showpiece, our armed forces are already desperately under recruited and lurid headlines such as these do little to help matters.
Perhaps allowing army ranks to sport beards, a notion currently under consideration by the military hierarchy, will help restore equilibrium to the recruiting process. That said it might just encourage equal opportunities’ claims from some ( if not all) of the female military population!
Thoughts welcome.
What is going on with the SAS? There is currently a major statutory inquiry taking place into allegations that up-to 80 suspected Taliban prisoners were summarily executed after capture between 2010-2013 by SAS Troops, (these deaths are described as ‘Extra Judicial Killings [EJKs])! The allegations were allegedly discussed at the highest levels within the SAS and then filed away according to reports, amidst suspicions of a major cover up. The outcome of the inquiry may well result in some further very unwelcome, headline inducing, judicial events!
Today I read 2 serving members of the SAS plus a wife of a serving SAS member have all been released on bail accused of Class A drug offences following a police raid on a farm. There is talk of large scale drug dealing.
I only once had a brief encounter with the SAS during my 30+ years in uniform. It was in Riyadh in the lead up to the 1st Gulf War. The SAS I met during that encounter I found to be ill disciplined, scruffy and just a tiny bit full of themselves. I think I have written of this once before, their Troop Commander apologised to me for their behaviour.
I have always held the SAS in the highest esteem despite my short experience of them in Riyadh. I recognise entirely that the nature of their job necessitates SAS Troopers being exceptional in all aspects of warfare and survival techniques rather than some of the more mundane aspects of everyday soldiering.
Over the years a number of revealing books have been written by ex SAS members of their various escapades. Added to the several TV series presented and hosted by former colleagues ‘The Regiment’ no longer enjoys the same shrouds of mystique and secrecy it once did….in my opinion.
What with the recent damning inquiry into misogynistic and sexualised behaviour of the Red Arrows…another erstwhile military showpiece, our armed forces are already desperately under recruited and lurid headlines such as these do little to help matters.
Perhaps allowing army ranks to sport beards, a notion currently under consideration by the military hierarchy, will help restore equilibrium to the recruiting process. That said it might just encourage equal opportunities’ claims from some ( if not all) of the female military population!
Thoughts welcome.
Quote from jkwebster06 on December 13, 2023, 9:34 pmHow things must have changed. You're so right David, that the "shrouds of mystique & secrecy " once enjoyed by the SAS has gone. It started after the Libyan Embassy operation in '84 when the whole free world witnessed their exploits "live" on TV. Ever since, many of the general public have devoured every word, photo & film ever made of past and present operations, much of which I admit I have "devoured" too !
I've not heard of the drug dealing accusations, it saddens me if proved true - as I said, how times have changed, so glad I enjoyed the best ones.
When in C.O.T (Close Observation Troop) stationed in GCH Belfast, we were often tasked with assisting the SAS during their mysterious missions. Our job was basically to act as their QRF should anything go pear shaped - we NEVER knew what their task was to be or even the actual target, just basically to pile in to extract them sharpish when called. I was always impressed with their professionalism ( despite being a scruffy bunch !) - they always left a radio op in our COT Ops room, who would never say a word to any of us during his shift, either before or after the mission, total stumm !
Talking of Ops Rooms, the Regimental one in Grand Central was also used by the SAS on occasion - I got a call from the Ops Officer (The Auck) who said "I don't mind these "long hairs" strutting around my Ops Room, I don't even mind making them bacon butties, but I object strongly to them carrying loaded weapons in the Ops Room. Please tell them to unload them!!". I replied to the effect that such a request was above my pay grade & passed it on to Capt Tippett , my (Troop Ldr) - I did notice on subsequent forays to the Ops Room that nothing had changed, pistols & machine guns (Heckler & Koch) remained fully loaded lol. John (JKW)
How things must have changed. You're so right David, that the "shrouds of mystique & secrecy " once enjoyed by the SAS has gone. It started after the Libyan Embassy operation in '84 when the whole free world witnessed their exploits "live" on TV. Ever since, many of the general public have devoured every word, photo & film ever made of past and present operations, much of which I admit I have "devoured" too !
I've not heard of the drug dealing accusations, it saddens me if proved true - as I said, how times have changed, so glad I enjoyed the best ones.
When in C.O.T (Close Observation Troop) stationed in GCH Belfast, we were often tasked with assisting the SAS during their mysterious missions. Our job was basically to act as their QRF should anything go pear shaped - we NEVER knew what their task was to be or even the actual target, just basically to pile in to extract them sharpish when called. I was always impressed with their professionalism ( despite being a scruffy bunch !) - they always left a radio op in our COT Ops room, who would never say a word to any of us during his shift, either before or after the mission, total stumm !
Talking of Ops Rooms, the Regimental one in Grand Central was also used by the SAS on occasion - I got a call from the Ops Officer (The Auck) who said "I don't mind these "long hairs" strutting around my Ops Room, I don't even mind making them bacon butties, but I object strongly to them carrying loaded weapons in the Ops Room. Please tell them to unload them!!". I replied to the effect that such a request was above my pay grade & passed it on to Capt Tippett , my (Troop Ldr) - I did notice on subsequent forays to the Ops Room that nothing had changed, pistols & machine guns (Heckler & Koch) remained fully loaded lol. John (JKW)
Quote from fpeall on December 14, 2023, 6:30 pmGood to see some interesting topics appearing and would be even better if other than the dynamic duo could respond. I hope you do not mind John but the Libyan embassy siege was the one where PC Yvonne Fletcher was shot and killed by an individual firing from within the embassy and whom I believe has never been brought to justice. The Iranian siege a year later was the one stormed by the SAS which was as you say on TV for all to see. A number of individuals have come forward to announce they were on the balcony in question when the embassy was stormed and I believe that the current number of Walts involved stands at eighteen thousand! Quite a crowded balcony. Freddy
Good to see some interesting topics appearing and would be even better if other than the dynamic duo could respond. I hope you do not mind John but the Libyan embassy siege was the one where PC Yvonne Fletcher was shot and killed by an individual firing from within the embassy and whom I believe has never been brought to justice. The Iranian siege a year later was the one stormed by the SAS which was as you say on TV for all to see. A number of individuals have come forward to announce they were on the balcony in question when the embassy was stormed and I believe that the current number of Walts involved stands at eighteen thousand! Quite a crowded balcony. Freddy
Quote from jkwebster06 on December 15, 2023, 9:06 pmThanks for the corrections Freddy - amazing how the passage of time affects the memory ( well, does mine anyway !). Yes, of course it was the IRANIAN Embassy I was meant to be referring to. Regarding the Walts, in one of the books I've read on the subject, an RSM in the Regiment was asked was he on the balcony to which he replied "No, but I know a thousand that was!!" John (JKW)
Thanks for the corrections Freddy - amazing how the passage of time affects the memory ( well, does mine anyway !). Yes, of course it was the IRANIAN Embassy I was meant to be referring to. Regarding the Walts, in one of the books I've read on the subject, an RSM in the Regiment was asked was he on the balcony to which he replied "No, but I know a thousand that was!!" John (JKW)