Skip to content

The Australian SAS: The Untold History

Season 2

2015 · 3 episodes

In 1970 the SAS developed the 'Green' (war-insertion) skills of free-falling, water operations, and vehicle-mounted operations. When terrorism became an international threat, the SAS raised Australia's first Counter-Terrorist (CT), or 'Black' force. In the long peace after Vietnam the SAS eagerly looked for work and diversified its skills by conducting many niche missions. But as its creative flair waned in the 1990s, it reinvented itself as a postmodern organisation.

  1. 1. Part 5: The Black and the Green

    2015-09-03 · 64m

    When global terrorism mushrooms, Australia turns to the SASR "Black" role of Counter-terrorism (CT). This gives the regiment a future. But the "Green War" roles of free falling, driving and motorised patrols are preserved and perfected.

  2. 2. Part 6: The Search for Meaning

    2015-09-03 · 57m

    As the novelty of CT wears off, SASR finds other outlets for its talents--training foreign forces in the Philippines, and conducting small peace-keeping operations in Somalia, Rwanda, Bougainville, Cambodia and the Solomons.

  3. 3. Part 7: The Postmodern Regiment

    2015-09-03 · 53m

    After the collapse of the USSR, the Regiment faces a challenge from within--it has lost much of its vital unconventionality. But as it rallies to become truly flexible and postmodern, disaster intervenes when two CT Black Hawk helicopters collide and crash in flames.

Track it episode by episode

Rate films and shows on two axes — quality and fun — and share taste with friends.