Swanbourne’s SAS turns 40

THE Special Air Service Regiment, based at Campbell Barracks in Swanbourne, has turned 40.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy said the SASR had served the Australian Army with distinction over its history.

"From Borneo to Vietnam, Rwanda, Somalia, Cambodia, East Timor, Afghanistan and, most recently, Iraq, the regiment has conducted itself with utmost professionalism and has earned an enviable reputation as one of the best Special Forces organisations in the world," he said.

"This was nowhere more ably demonstrated than in Afghanistan, for which the regiment this year received a Meritorious Unit Citation, for sustained outstanding service in warlike operations."

The SASR was formed on September 4, 1964.

Its predecessor, the 1st Special Air Service Company, which was part of the Royal Australian Infantry, had been in existence in 1957.

Like its British counterpart the regiment goes by the motto "Who dares wins".

The regiment’s role is to conduct long-range surveillance, reconnaissance and offensive operations beyond the range of other ADF elements.

Lieutenant General Leahy also paid tribute to Major Terry O’Farrell, who has almost served with the regiment for as long as it has been in existence.

Major O’Farrell joined the regiment as a private soldier in 1966 and rose through the ranks of the SASR, holding every significant position in the regiment including Regimental Sergeant Major from 1986 to 1988.