SAS squadron break-up will go ahead, says Linda Reynolds
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds says the disbandment of the Special Air Service Regiment’s 2 Squadron will go ahead, despite protests by serving and former SAS members.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds says the disbandment of the Special Air Service Regiment’s 2 Squadron will go ahead, despite protests by serving and former SAS members.
Senator Reynolds said the Chief of the Defence Force, Angus Campbell, had her full support in his push to erase the squadron — in which Victoria Cross winner Ben Roberts-Smith served — from Defence’s organisational structure known as the “Order of Battle”.
She said a planned ceremony to farewell the squadron had been delayed but not cancelled.
“My understanding from the Chief of Defence Force is that it will proceed for the reasons that the Chief of Army and the Chief of Defence Force said,” Senator Reynolds said.
“Given the gravity of the circumstances that have led to that, I fully support that.’’
Former 2nd Commando Regiment officer Heston Russell, representing special forces veterans, said 60-65 SASR members had threatened to put in discharge papers over the move.
He said SAS veterans who served as far back as the Vietnam War were devastated, with some writing to Scott Morrison for an explanation.
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