About

GENERAL - The 23 Special Air Service Regiment is a regiment of the British Army Reserve. Together with 21 Special Air Service Regiment, it forms the Special Air Service. Unlike the regular SAS Regiment it accepts members of the general population without prior military service.

HISTORY - The unit was founded in 1959, as an additional regiment of the Territorial Army, and was created from the former Reserve Reconnaissance Unit, itself descended from the body of the organisation known as Military Intelligence 9. The initial headquarters location was London, the headquarters were moved during 1959, to Thorpe street, Birmingham, during 1966, to Kingstanding, Birmingham, within the Territorial Army centre there.

21st CENTURT - In June 2008, three soldiers from 23 SAS were killed by a landmine their vehicle triggered again Helmand province.The reservists were involved in the training the Afghan National Police, during the most recent Afghan war, there were also elements of the Regiment performing tier 1 operational duties during this period in Iraq. Post Afghanistan a report found that the SAS lacked a clearly defined role.