An SAS signaler becomes highly proficient in the use of the various portable radio systems such as High Frequency (HF) Radio and Satellite Communications (SATCOM). Secure communications are absolutely vital for an SAS patrol operating far from HQ. In addition to this, most will also have a secondary level of expertise in at least one area as well as having a basic grounding in all skills. SAS Specialized SkillsĮach SAS trooper has a primary skill that they have specialized in. Having only 4 men in the patrol does, however, require a balance of specializations be present throughout the unit. The last man, or 'tailend charlie', is typically armed with a belt-fed machine gun such as a mini as he must be able to put down a lot of covering fire if the patrol is bumped from the rear. These skills are built upon and honed during the jungle phase of SAS selection, where 4-man patrols are taught and perfected.Įach member of the patrol is assigned an arc of fire to cover, thus providing all-round protection for the patrol as a whole. If coming from an infantry unit, most SAS soldiers will already have a grounding in the basics of patrolling. SAS training instills a set of patrol skills including : A 4-man patrol is the smallest tenable unit possible since it allows for a wounded member to be carried out by 2 others whilst being covered by a third. 4 is small enough to avoid detection and still carry enough stores to get the job done. It was found that, for many operations, smaller patrols worked best. Such a small number has proved its worth during the SAS's experience in jungle combat in Malaysia. The SAS commonly deploy as 4-man patrols.
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