Special Air Service (New Zealand)

In June 1955 it was decided that the New Zealand Army required an elite unit capable of specialist missions. Modeled on the British Special Air Service, (SAS) the Special Air Service of New Zealand (NZ SAS) was formed.

World War Two

Many New Zealanders serverd with the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) which had a close relationship with the SAS. It was nicknamed "the Mosquito Army" by Wavell. Special Air Service soldiers would refer to it as the "Libyan Desert Taxi Service".

Malaya and Borneo

1955 to 1957 a NZ SAS Squadron was attached to the British SAS in Malaysia for the Malayan Emergency.

Vietnam

Based in Nui Dat in Vietnam the New Zealand Special Air Service 4th Platoon served under Australian command in November 1968, attached to the Australian SAS

Recent Times

1 NZ SAS Group is based in New Zealand at Papakura
2002-2004 Deployed in Afganistan They will operate with other special forces in the international coalition. They will specialise in the planning and execution of long range reconnaissance and direct action missions within the borders of Afghanistan [1] (http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/articles/2004/03/0309qa.html)

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