1 SAS Sqn has become the first ADF unit to be awarded a Unit Citation for Gallantry. The award was announced on Thursday November 28 as part of the Op Falconer honours list which recognised the ADF's contribution to the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq this year. Photo illustration by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper

Battle honours
Unit Citation for 1 SAS Sqn
Heroism in Iraq wins unique award for SASR

By Pte John Wellfare and Andrew Stackpool
A SQUADRON of the SASR has been awarded the first Unit Citation for Gallantry as part of the recently announced honours and awards for Op Falconer.

Awarded to 1SAS Sqn, the citation described the unit's conduct as extraordinary and was announced along with 16 individual decorations for Army personnel, and five Meritorious Unit Citations across the ADF.

CO SASR Lt-Col Rick B. said the citation was hard-earned by the 75 members of 1SAS Sqn, who were involved in extremely intense fighting throughout the operation.

"These guys had 13 major engagements or contacts with the enemy in the first five days and they had another 16 contacts over the next three weeks," he said.

"They won the Unit Citation for Gallantry because of their exceptional teamwork and cohesiveness as a military fighting force.

"In such an operation it's impossible to recognise everyone individually and that's why we are so appreciative of the fact that the entire squadron has been recognised through the award of the [citation], because that is the only fair way to recognise a team effort."

Lt-Col B. said members of 1 SAS Sqn were some of the first troops into Iraq on the first night of the operation and faced extreme challenges from the beginning.

"The first contact occurred within an hour of crossing the border and they acquitted themselves very well.

"These guys are very well trained over the years and, in particular through our counter-terrorist training, the guys are able to apply discriminate and precise force, in the appropriate amount and always with an underlying compassion for the enemy they're fighting, or indeed the people who are caught up in that combat zone.

"I think we were highly respected for our professionalism and our versatility and the quality of the individuals."

"WE WERE part of a very important coalition task force with the Americans in Afghanistan.

"We were able to demonstrate our own capability, our own niche capabilities, which were complimentary to what the Americans could provide and I think we worked together really well as a team and that, therefore, translated into a desire to have that team available for Iraq."

He credited some of the success of 1SAS Sqn in Iraq to the supporting elements of the Special Forces Task Group, including 4RAR and IRR, as well as command elements.

He also thanked all those who supported the SF Task Group, in particular those in Australia who worked behind the scenes.

A further 13 awards, not included on the Gazette have been made to members of the SFTG. These include two Distinguished Service Crosses, three Distinguished Service Medals and several Commendations for Distinguished Service.

The SASR was awarded the meritorious unit citation for its work in Afghanistan over a continuous 13-month period and 3 SAS Sqn Group was awarded a meritorious unit citation for its service in East Timor.

In addition, Commander Special Operations Command Maj-Gen Duncan Lewis has awarded 15 SOCAUST commendations for SOCOMD personnel who have served or are serving on or supporting Ops Slipper, Bastille and Falconer.

.