New Zealand Special Air Service
| New Zealand Special Air Service | |
|---|---|
Cap Badge of the New Zealand Special Air Service
|
|
| Active | 7 July 1955 – present |
| Country |
 New Zealand
|
| Branch | New Zealand Army |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role |
Special Reconnaissance Direct action Counter-Terrorism Unconventional Warfare CBRNE Disposal |
| Size | One regiment |
| Part of | Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Papakura Military Camp, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Motto(s) | Who Dares Wins |
| Colors | |
| March | The Liberty Bell |
| Anniversaries | 7 July 1955 |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations |
 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Lieutenant General Tim Keating, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, Major General Peter Kelly. |
The New Zealand Special Air Service, abbreviated as the NZSAS, was formed on 7 July 1955 and is the special forces unit of the New Zealand Army, closely modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS). It traces its origins to the Second World War and the famous Long Range Desert Group that a number of New Zealanders served with.
The New Zealand Government states that NZSAS is the "premier combat unit of the New Zealand Defence Force" and it has been operationally deployed to a variety of locations, including the jungles of South-East Asia, the Pacific region and Afghanistan. As a result of their efforts, individual members of the NZSAS have received a variety of honours and awards, including the Victoria Cross for New Zealand awarded to Corporal Willie Apiata. In 2004, the unit was awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation as a result of their contributions in Afghanistan.
The NZSAS was accorded Regimental status in 2013 and presently has the responsibility of conducting domestic Counter-Terrorism operations and international on request, overseas Special Operations missions and performing the disposal of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive hazards for both the military and civilian authorities.
The NZSAS can trace its roots back to the famous Long Range Desert Group, a British/Commonwealth army unit which fought in the North African desert in World War II. A number of New Zealanders also served in the original Special Air Service force during World War II. In February 1955 it was decided by the New Zealand Government that a squadron based on the British Special Air Service should be formed as part of the New Zealand Army, as an effective and economic contribution to the Far East Strategic Reserve and the British counter-insurgency effort in Malaya. Major Frank Rennie was appointed to form and command the unit, with the decision having been made to recruit mainly from the general public around a cadre of Regular Force personnel. Over 800 applied, from which 182 including 138 civilians (though 101 had previous military experience) were selected for training beginning in June 1955. In late 1957, soon after the squadrons return to New Zealand from Malaya the unit was disbanded, having been operationally replaced by an infantry battalion. The NZSAS was re-established in October 1959, with the unit celebrating its 50th Jubilee from 3–12 June 2005.
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Wikipedia