The Seeker 3,048 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 If anyone is interested there is a good read Black Water by Don Camsell about his time in the SBS Really interesting however I remember he came across slightly bitter about the glory the SAS got, he wasn't happy that the SAS lads were chosen to do the recon work on the Falklands instead of them for example as it was a marine type landing op. Either way all UK Special forces are the best in the world IMO It's always confused me a bit the defining line between the two regiments? Obviously the SAS are predominantly an Army Regiment and the SBS are within the RMs I believe, yet the SAS have boat troops and the SBS have seen plenty of non amphibious action in Afghanistan for instance. Confusing me still we now have two more special forces regiments, the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group. I understand the SFSG are just taking on the speacialist role the RMs and Paras etc used to do but surely the SRR are just doing what the SAS do in intelligence gathering? Whatever the answer, I'm glad they're part of the British armed forces! We have such a proud military history! Yep confused me a little also, I guess it's simply two branches off the same tree Army and Navy I have a mate who was in SFSG he's a Royal Marine others in his group were paras etc, its like a secodment if your selected you do it for a period of time. When finished back in his case to the marines, He did a few tours in Afghan at least oe I know was with SFSG, they would go in with the SF lads and secure the perimeter of a building whilst the SF lads went in a searched or made an arrest that sort of thing. He worked with SBS, SAS and even some Navy Seals, he said the SBS lads were the most laid back of the SF guys he met, SAS were non stop training even off duty and the Seals ere excellent but also had all the gear. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Born Hunter 17,843 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 The SRR is just the new name for 14 int, Still blurs the line between them and the SAS though doesn't it? They sound more like spooks than soldier. Is it just to take a bit of the intelligence gathering burden off of the SAS so they can concentrate more of combat operations? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Born Hunter 17,843 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) Yep confused me a little also, I guess it's simply two branches off the same tree Army and Navy I have a mate who was in SFSG he's a Royal Marine others in his group were paras etc, its like a secodment if your selected you do it for a period of time. When finished back in his case to the marines, He did a few tours in Afghan at least oe I know was with SFSG, they would go in with the SF lads and secure the perimeter of a building whilst the SF lads went in a searched or made an arrest that sort of thing. He worked with SBS, SAS and even some Navy Seals, he said the SBS lads were the most laid back of the SF guys he met, SAS were non stop training even off duty and the Seals ere excellent but also had all the gear. I've heard bits and bobs through friends and friends of friends as ya do, but I haven't really got a clue, lol. I completely understand the purpose of the SFSG just the rest are all a bit blured over one another. Btw, I'm not second guessing our forces, just confused on the exact purposes of our various regiments and squadrons, lol. Edited November 23, 2012 by Born Hunter 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest long-tail Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 the SBS regularly take on specialist operations that the SAS take the credit for,might have something to do with the high profile the SAS has and the wanting of certain agencies that have called for their disbandment over the years which then gives credible reasons for us to keep them on,some very good books out there if your into that sort thing and will open your eyes to the SBS capabilities, they really are a cut above the rest in my eyes,just an opinion of course cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gonetoearth 5,144 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) If anyone is interested there is a good read Black Water by Don Camsell about his time in the SBS Really interesting however I remember he came across slightly bitter about the glory the SAS got, he wasn't happy that the SAS lads were chosen to do the recon work on the Falklands instead of them for example as it was a marine type landing op. Either way all UK Special forces are the best in the world IMO Sbs did do the recon in 1982 check out south atlantic memoral site how many special forces lads lost their lives and the sbs went in by sea sub aqaua style , Edited November 23, 2012 by gonetoearth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gonetoearth 5,144 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 There are afew unsung heros out there that get no reco the pathfinders. Of the para reg , Like some one else has said you hear storys from freinds of friends etc any ex on here do the jungle op in berlize ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Seeker 3,048 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 If anyone is interested there is a good read Black Water by Don Camsell about his time in the SBS Really interesting however I remember he came across slightly bitter about the glory the SAS got, he wasn't happy that the SAS lads were chosen to do the recon work on the Falklands instead of them for example as it was a marine type landing op. Either way all UK Special forces are the best in the world IMO Sbs did do the recon in 1982 check out south atlantic memoral site how many special forces lads lost their lives and the sbs went in by sea sub aqaua style , Yes they certainly were there it's several years ago since I read it but I rember him being critical saying they were tasked with the landing and securing the beach whilst the SAS went off and did the recon, he gave the impression they were supporting the SAS and he wasn't too happy about it as he believed it was a SBS operation and the SAS always forced their way into the OP's with full backing from the top brass, following the high profile Iranian Embassy operation a couple of years earlier it was almost as though they couldn't do any wrong was his sentiments. If you are interested have a read of the book it is a good read. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gonetoearth 5,144 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 If anyone is interested there is a good read Black Water by Don Camsell about his time in the SBS Really interesting however I remember he came across slightly bitter about the glory the SAS got, he wasn't happy that the SAS lads were chosen to do the recon work on the Falklands instead of them for example as it was a marine type landing op. Either way all UK Special forces are the best in the world IMO Sbs did do the recon in 1982 check out south atlantic memoral site how many special forces lads lost their lives and the sbs went in by sea sub aqaua style , Yes they certainly were there it's several years ago since I read it but I rember him being critical saying they were tasked with the landing and securing the beach whilst the SAS went off and did the recon, he gave the impression they were supporting the SAS and he wasn't too happy about it as he believed it was a SBS operation and the SAS always forced their way into the OP's with full backing from the top brass, following the high profile Iranian Embassy operation a couple of years earlier it was almost as though they couldn't do any wrong was his sentiments. If you are interested have a read of the book it is a good read. a man freinds bro was one of them bud a tradgic but tale of daring do that would make james bond proud , we civis dont know the half of it ned kelly told me a few as well oman campain that never was 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 The sas comprises of mobility troop air troop mountain troop and boat troop and whilst they are efficient at water born activities the sbs are the specialists on the water .... Similarly the sbs can and do parachute but the sas are the specialists in this field and pioneered the halo jump .... The sas have a b d g squadrons whilst the sbs have c m s squadrons .... However there is an x squadron which comprises of both sas and sbs lads ... Sbs selection is more difficult than sas selection and far more sbs lads pass sas selection than the other way round ... Also nearly half the team that stormed the Iranian embassy were sbs and one of them saved the life of sas man John lofty wiseman as his main weapon jammed whilst confronting one of the terrorists luckily the sbs lad was right on his shoulder and double tapped the terrorist .......... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest long-tail Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) The sas comprises of mobility troop air troop mountain troop and boat troop and whilst they are efficient at water born activities the sbs are the specialists on the water .... Similarly the sbs can and do parachute but the sas are the specialists in this field and pioneered the halo jump .... The sas have a b d g squadrons whilst the sbs have c m s squadrons .... However there is an x squadron which comprises of both sas and sbs lads ... Sbs selection is more difficult than sas selection and far more sbs lads pass sas selection than the other way round ... Also nearly half the team that stormed the Iranian embassy were sbs and one of them saved the life of sas man John lofty wiseman as his main weapon jammed whilst confronting one of the terrorists luckily the sbs lad was right on his shoulder and double tapped the terrorist .......... my point exactly Edited November 23, 2012 by long-tail Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulf 820 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 socks im i right in thinking that the sbs do the same selection as the sas then if they pass that they do there own more intense selection process. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
riohog 5,859 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 The sas comprises of mobility troop air troop mountain troop and boat troop and whilst they are efficient at water born activities the sbs are the specialists on the water .... Similarly the sbs can and do parachute but the sas are the specialists in this field and pioneered the halo jump .... The sas have a b d g squadrons whilst the sbs have c m s squadrons .... However there is an x squadron which comprises of both sas and sbs lads ... Sbs selection is more difficult than sas selection and far more sbs lads pass sas selection than the other way round ... Also nearly half the team that stormed the Iranian embassy were sbs and one of them saved the life of sas man John lofty wiseman as his main weapon jammed whilst confronting one of the terrorists luckily the sbs lad was right on his shoulder and double tapped the terrorist .......... if i remember corectly the sbs lads were thre first on the falklands .might be wrong poole in dorset is there base ,or portland cant remember now Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulf 820 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 i think its poole ,see the sas jumping out of choppers in hereford quite often .well i think its them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 socks im i right in thinking that the sbs do the same selection as the sas then if they pass that they do there own more intense selection process. No mate its a different selection altogether Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 socks im i right in thinking that the sbs do the same selection as the sas then if they pass that they do there own more intense selection process. No mate its a different selection altogether 5 weeks at sennybridge Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.