50 Facts About SAS

Historical Background

The Special Air Service (SAS) has a storied past that dates back to World War II. Its origins and early missions set the stage for what would become one of the most elite special forces units in the world.

1. Founding: The SAS was founded in 1941 by David Stirling during World War II.
2. Initial Mission: The first mission was a parachute drop in support of the Operation Crusader offensive, codenamed Operation Squatter, in November 1941.
3. Early Success: Despite initial setbacks, the SAS achieved significant success in its second mission, attacking three airfields in Libya and destroying 60 aircraft without loss.
4. Reorganization: In 1943, the 1st SAS was reorganized into the Special Raiding Squadron under Paddy Mayne's command and the Special Boat Squadron under George Jellicoe's command.
5. Post-War Reconstitution: In 1947, the SAS was reconstituted as a corps, and in 1950, it was reorganized into three regiments: 21 SAS, 22 SAS, and 23 SAS.

Operations and Roles

The SAS is known for its versatility and effectiveness in various types of missions, from counter-terrorism to special reconnaissance.

6. Counter-Terrorism: The SAS specializes in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, direct action, and special reconnaissance.
7. Malayan Emergency: In the 1950s, the SAS was involved in the Malayan Emergency, where it formed the Malayan Scouts (SAS) under "Mad Mike" Mike Calvert.
8. Korean War: A squadron of 21 SAS was raised to fight in the Korean War but was instead deployed to the Malayan Emergency.
9. Northern Ireland: The SAS was deployed to Northern Ireland in the early 1970s, where it was involved in some controversial incidents.
10. Iranian Embassy Siege: The SAS famously ended a hostage crisis in the Iranian Embassy in 1980, a mission that was broadcast live on television.

Training and Selection

The SAS selection process is one of the toughest in the world, designed to weed out all but the most capable candidates.

11. Selection Process: The SAS selection process is notoriously grueling and includes extreme physical challenges such as jumping out of planes and surviving in jungle environments.
12. Training Protocols: The training protocols of the SAS are highly standardized and have been continuously refined over the years, contributing significantly to the unit's success.
13. Recruitment: The SAS recruits from various parts of the British Army, with a focus on individuals with exceptional physical and mental abilities.
14. Operational Training: The SAS conducts extensive operational training, including escape and evasion phases, which prepare members for real-world missions.
15. Continuous Training: Members of the SAS undergo continuous training throughout their service, ensuring they remain at the top of their game.

Reputation and Perception

The SAS has built a formidable reputation over the years, both within military circles and in the public eye.

16. Reputation: The SAS has a reputation for being one of the most elite special forces units in the world, with its operations often shrouded in secrecy.
17. Marginality: During the Cold War, the SAS was viewed with hostility by some senior officers in the Army, who saw it as unnecessary and potentially divisive.
18. Counter-Terrorism Role: The SAS was awarded exclusive responsibility for counter-terrorism by the British government following the Munich Olympics debacle in 1972.
19. Media Representation: The SAS has been featured in various media, including documentaries and reality TV shows, which have contributed to its public image.
20. Public Perception: Despite its secretive nature, the SAS has a strong public image, with many people knowing about its extreme selection and training processes.

SAS Institute

The SAS Institute has a different focus but shares the same initials. It has made significant contributions to the field of analytics.

21. Founding: The SAS Institute was founded in the late 1960s by eight Southern universities to develop a general-purpose statistical software package for analyzing agricultural data.
22. Beta Release: The first beta release of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) took place, laying the foundation for the company's name and corporate beginnings.
23. Incorporation: SAS Institute Inc. was incorporated in July 1976, with four employees and a base software product consisting of about 300,000 lines of code.
24. Global Expansion: The company quickly expanded globally, opening its first European subsidiary in the UK and eventually reaching over 400 offices worldwide.
25. Innovations: SAS has consistently pushed boundaries in analytics, from its early days in academia to becoming a global leader in the field.

SAS Airlines

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) is another entity sharing the SAS initials, known for its pioneering efforts in aviation.

26. Formation: Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) was formed in 1946 from Det Danske Luftfartselskab A/S (DDL), Det Norske Luftfartselskap A/S (DNL), and Svensk Interkontinental Lufttrafik AB (SILA).
27. First Intercontinental Flight: SAS conducted its first intercontinental flight from Stockholm to New York in 1946.
28. Polar Route: In 1954, SAS became the world's first airline to fly the Copenhagen – Los Angeles polar route in scheduled services.
29. Jet Age: SAS entered the jet age in 1959 with the introduction of the Caravelle aircraft.
30. Hotel Ventures: SAS opened its first hotel, the SAS Royal Hotel Copenhagen, in 1960, marking the beginning of its hospitality ventures.

Modern Operations

The SAS continues to adapt and evolve, maintaining its elite status through rigorous training and operational flexibility.

31. Counter-Terrorism Post-9/11: Following the September 11 attacks, the SAS was involved in counter-terrorism operations, including missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
32. Training Continues: The SAS continues to conduct rigorous training exercises, including parachute jumps and survival skills, to maintain its elite status.
33. Operational Flexibility: The SAS is known for its operational flexibility, adapting to various scenarios from hostage rescues to special reconnaissance missions.
34. Secrecy: Much of the information about the SAS is highly classified, and the unit is not commented on by either the British government or the Ministry of Defence due to the secrecy and sensitivity of its operations.
35. Reputation in Operations: The SAS's reputation is built on its reliability and effectiveness in operations, which is attributed to its rigorous training protocols.

SAS Institute Milestones

The SAS Institute has achieved numerous milestones, making it a leader in the field of analytics.

36. First Product Release: The base SAS software was released as the company’s first product, consisting of about 300,000 lines of code.
37. SAS Users Group International (SUGI): The first SAS conference, SAS.ONE, took place in Kissimmee, FL, and was later renamed SAS Users Group International (SUGI) in 1977.
38. Global Headquarters: The company relocated to Cary, NC, where its global headquarters grew to encompass more than 300 acres.
39. Educational Initiatives: The Educational Technologies Division was formed to develop high-quality educational software for secondary schools, evolving into Curriculum Pathways.
40. Recognition: SAS was named on Fortune magazine’s inaugural list of the Best Companies to Work For in the US and has consistently ranked high on this list.

SAS Airlines Milestones

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has also achieved significant milestones in the aviation industry.

41. European Expansion: SAS opened its first hotel outside of Scandinavia, the SAS Kuwait Hotel, in 1980.
42. Airline Innovations: SAS introduced electronic reservation systems in 1965 and became the most punctual airline in Europe for the first time in 1982.
43. Awards and Recognition: SAS received Air Transport World’s distinction “Airline of the Year” for 1983 and was one of the founders of Star Alliance in 1997.
44. Hotel Holdings: SAS International Hotels owned 40% of Intercontinental Hotels Group until 1992, when it sold its stake.
45. Airline Operations Focus: The SAS Group focused on airline operations in the 1990s, selling a number of subsidiaries and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 1996.

Modern SAS Institute and Airlines

Both the SAS Institute and SAS Airlines continue to innovate and adapt in their respective fields.

46. Digital Literacy Efforts: The SAS Educational Technologies Division continued its efforts to advance digital literacy in schools through Curriculum Pathways.
47. SAS Analytics U: SAS launched SAS Analytics U, a broad higher education initiative that includes free SAS software, university partnerships, and engaging user communities.
48. SAS Visual Analytics: Jim Goodnight demoed SAS Visual Analytics at the United Nations, showcasing the company’s advanced analytics capabilities.
49. SAS Celebrates Milestones: SAS celebrated 40 years of innovation and creativity, ranking the No. 1 most valuable career skill in a Money magazine and Payscale analysis of 54 million employee profiles across 350 industries.
50. SAS in the Digital Age: SAS continues to innovate, launching high-speed WiFi on its flights and placing orders for additional Airbus A320neo aircraft to create a single-type fleet.

Final Thoughts on SAS

The Special Air Service (SAS) and SAS Institute have both carved out unique, influential roles in their fields. The SAS, with its elite training and secretive operations, remains one of the most respected special forces units worldwide. From its daring missions during World War II to modern counter-terrorism efforts, the SAS has consistently demonstrated unparalleled skill and bravery.

On the other hand, the SAS Institute has revolutionized data analytics, evolving from a small academic project to a global leader in the field. Its innovative software solutions have transformed how organizations handle data, making it an indispensable tool in various industries.

Both entities, though vastly different, share a commitment to excellence and innovation. Whether in the realm of military operations or data analytics, the SAS name stands for elite performance and groundbreaking achievements.