1st NZSAS Regiment Marks 70th Anniversary

For 70 years the New
Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) has been deployed on
some of the most complex, challenging and dangerous missions
faced by the New Zealand Defence Force, with the ultimate
goal always being to protect New Zealand, its people and
interests.

The NZSAS was raised as a
response to a strategic dilemma in the 1950s, when the New
Zealand Government wanted to support the British in
defending Malaya against the threat of communist expansion,
whilst recognizing our comparatively small Defence Force and
resources. As a result, a single NZSAS Squadron was raised
and deployed to give New Zealand a credible impact across
both military and political circles.

From
its humble beginnings the NZSAS has since grown to become a
full Regiment that gives the Government of the day a range
of high-readiness, highly effective military options to
advance and protect its interests.

Chief of Army Major
General Rose King says NZSAS operators have played a pivotal
role in a number of significant engagements over the course
of the unit’s existence.

“Our Special Forces
personnel are among the best in the world at what they do.
They deploy into places that others can’t, they can
achieve things that larger conventional units simply
couldn’t. Their sense of service over self is second to
none, and their will to succeed and achieve their mission is
extraordinary,” Major General Rose King
said.

Throughout its history, members of the NZSAS
have been deployed throughout South East Asia and the
Pacific, from Malaya to Timor Leste, Thailand to Papua New
Guinea. The Unit has also contributed to global peace
keeping and peace monitoring missions, with NZSAS operators
later being heavily involved in the Middle East, including
reconnaissance operations and partnering with Special Police
Forces in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan campaign was
bookended with a NZSAS team leading the ground evacuation of
nearly 400 people to safety following the Taliban’s return
to power in 2021.

The Commanding Officer of 1st New
Zealand Special Air Service Regiment says the Regiment can
only succeed with the support and sustainment of a
world-class army and Defence Force.

“From the
jungles of South East Asia and the Pacific, to the deserts,
mountains and alleyways of the middle east and beyond, New
Zealand’s Special Air Service Regiment has always stood
ready for New Zealand, and always will be,” the Commanding
Officer said.

“For 70 years SAS, Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD), Commando, and Special Operations enablers
have delivered whenever Government has asked, and whenever
the Chief of Defence Force has tasked.

From its early
focus on special reconnaissance and deep infiltration in the
jungle, the Regiment has developed counter-terrorism, direct
action and special recovery capabilities in recent decades.
Commando and EOD trades have been established in order to
support Police and other agencies when responding to new
threats at home, with further advances across intelligence,
communications, logistics, female engagement and medical
specialties to provide special forces commanders with the
broadest range of options and support.

“Whenever
they’re called upon, whatever the task, our NZSAS members
are always ready to deploy at immediate notice in order to
uphold the values we hold so important in New Zealand. They
are a huge credit to not only Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New
Zealand Army and the wider Defence Force, but should be a
source of pride for the country as a whole,” Major General
King said.

The Regiment’s Commanding Officer says
this weekend is a special occasion to reflect on what has
been a significant legacy by those who went before and will
be marked with a series of events for both current and
former members. It included the unveiling of new pou at
Papakura Military Camp’s memorial area earlier this
week.

“The memorial area is where
the Regiment records its whakapapa. It’s where we thank
those who have gone before and remember those who have paid
the ultimate price. It is the spiritual hub of our camp and
so these new pou carry a huge significance for us,” the
Commanding Officer said.

“We will
reflect not just on the operational successes, but also the
vigilance and dedication it takes to train and prepare at
home, to maintain standards, to develop new tactics, and to
‘hold the pager’ for crisis
response.”

Major General King said a
lot has changed within the Regiment over
the course of its seven decades, including evolved training
methods, adapting to the changing nature of warfare, the
physical locations of its home base and the hundreds of
personnel and staff who have supported, enabled and
maintained the Regiment over the decades.

“But many
things have not, and will not change; the operational
experience, professionalism and the unrelenting pursuit of
excellence that embodies every member of New Zealand’s
Special
Forces.”

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