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When and why was the British Special Air Service formed?
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special operations warfare
Members of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command training for water rescue, 2007.
The British Special Air Service (SAS) was formed in July 1941 in North Africa during World War II.1
The unit was established by British army officer David Stirling, who recognized the strategic potential for a specialized strike force capable of operating independently deep behind enemy lines. Stirling persuaded his superiors to allow the formation of a unit that could utilize the vast desert terrain as cover to conduct quick, disruptive raids against critical enemy targets, such as airfields and supply posts. This approach proved highly effective, significantly impacting the capabilities of enemy forces in the region.21