COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE
The anti-terrorist team grew
from need to establish a Counter Revolutionary Warfare capability
within the SAS. The Counter Revolutionary Wing (CRW) from which
the anti-terrorist team would emerge, came into being in the early
70s literally overnight. A squad was sent directly to the Rover
factory, commandeering the next four white Range Rovers from the
production line (they now use black ones). It appears that the
Prime Minister himself had intervened to authorise the immediate
procurement of the vehicles and whatever other specialist
equipment the new unit required. The team quickly grew into a full
Squadron commitment, with the anti-terrorist team well to the fore.
While the anti-terrorist team
deals mainly with domestic incidents within the UK, the CRW is
active all over the world, collating information about terrorist
and militant groups and working with the intelligence agencies of
our own as well as other governments in a bid to combat the
international terrorist problem. Knowledge is everything in the
fight against terrorism and it is CRW which provides the
anti-terrorist team with information about their enemy and the
best tactics to use to get the job done.
CRW is, therefore, heavily
involved in the development of CQB (Close Quarter Battle) skills.
As well as covering the assault techniques used by the
anti-terrorist team, CRW is involved in close protection work for
VIPs including the royal family, members of parliament and
visiting foreign dignitaries. All SAS troopers are trained in CRW
procedures and many, on leaving the Regiment, find work as
bodyguards for politcians and heads in countries throughout the
world.
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Here
the SAS can be seen storming a building using a black Range Rover.
All the assault vehicles are fitted with special platforms
enabling men, equipment and assault ladders to be carried outside
the vehicle should it be necessary.
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