History
The unit was founded during 1959,[4] as an additional regiment of the Territorial Army of the United Kingdom,[5] and was created from the former Reserve Reconnaissance Unit (RRU), this unit having originated from an organisation known as Military Intelligence 9.[6][7] The initial headquarters location was London, the headquarters were moved during 1959, to Thorpe Street, Birmingham, during 1966, to Kingstanding, Birmingham, within a Territorial Army centre.[8]
In 1985, David Stirling, founder of the SAS, commented "There is one often neglected factor which I would like to emphasize - the importance of the two SAS Territorial regiments. At the start of the Second World War, and during its early stages, it was the ideas and initiatives of these amateur soldiers which led to the creation of at least two units within the Special Forces and gave a particular elan to others. When, however, a specialist unit becomes part of the military establishment, it runs the risk of being stereotyped and conventionalized. Luckily the modern SAS looks safe from this danger; it is constantly experimenting with innovative techniques, many of which stem from its Territorial regiments, drawn as they are from every walk of civilian life."[9]
23 SAS was formed as a result of a direct military requirement of 1 (BR) Corps: because of the RRU's impressive performance during its annual exercise in 1957, when it tested their new techniques in battlefield surveillance and nuclear targeting, 1 (BR) Corps requested the unit to be included in its order of battle. The RRU evolved to become 23 SAS. The role of the SAS in the defence of West Germany was kept top secret but by the 1960s, the KGB and East German intelligence were well aware of what was being planned and even tried, unsuccessfully, to penetrate the unit. 21 and 23 SAS would have been mobilized and deployed to 1 (BR) Corps within 48 hours of an alert.[10] The regiment's first commander was Lt Col H S Gillies;[6] Anthony Hunter-Choat OBE was the commanding officer of the regiment from 1977 to 1983.[11] Peter de la Billiere, who later commanded 22 SAS and then became Director Special Forces, served as the adjutant of 21 for part of this period. He later wrote "People began to see that the Territorial SAS were first class and enhanced the reputation of the whole Regiment in a special way of their own."[12]
By early 2003 a composite squadron of 23 SAS, including members of 21 SAS, was operating in Helmand for roles against Al Qaeda forces, "with the emphasis on long range reconnaissance".[13][14][15][16] It was reported that the workload undertaken and the results achieved by the territorial SAS in Afghanistan "greatly impressed their American commanders, who are keen to keep using them on operations for as long as possible".[13] In 2007-8 a squadron-sized sub-unit was deployed first from 23 and then from 21 SAS to Helmand for roles including training the Afghan Police and working with the intelligence services.[17][18] In June 2008, three soldiers from 23 SAS were killed by a landmine their vehicle triggered in Helmand province.[19][20][17][18]
Three SAS reservists were awarded military crosses, and one won a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross in Afghanistan.[21][22]
On 1 September 2014, 21 and 23 SAS were moved from United Kingdom Special Forces and placed under the command of 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade.[23][24] The units then left that brigade before the end of 2019.[25] Today the two reserve regiments, 21 SAS and 23 SAS are back under the operational command of the Director Special Forces, as an integrated part of United Kingdom Special Forces.[26]
Organisation
The unit structure is as follows:
United Kingdom