What special forces units are operating in Iraq?

There are shed loads of SF units operating in Iraq. Before GW 1, some were inserted to compliment the SatIntel, humint, SigInt and other resources. (That was the reason the war was well and truely over in 12 days or so).

My mate's unit was sent into Iraq AFTER the cessation of hostilities to help train the northern Kurds which is why Saddam came down so hard on them. They were withdrawn into Turkey when the cause was lost - through I might add, lack of support from UN and NATO! (I am also led to believe that US SF/CIA went to the marsh Arabs - but cannot confirm that!)

As to SF operating in Iraq now, Uk has just deployed an SAS specialist recce group to hunt for the group responsible for deaths of western hostages, whose lead Al Zaquarawi (?) was recently shot to bits in a carefully controlled ambush. (Not sure if it's true, but SAS allegedly pinpointed tgt area for Delta and Seal teams to carry out hit)

There are also a number of highly specialised civilian outfits and, if you know where to look up, you can get 6 month contracts worth not less than £75,000 tax free - providing you pass positive vetting. No cowboys or wannabes allowed! (Same 4 Afghanistan but contract is 4 a year and worth a cool £100K!)

Originally posted by Zaphod58
USAF Combat Controllers are operating in Afghanistan and Iraq with the SF guys. They're the FAC for the CAS birds. Yeah I know, lots of people say they aren't "REAL" SF guys, because they don't do the same things the other units do, but when the bullets are flying and the birds are rolling in, they're everyones best friend.

My brother is a career AF CCT, Combat Controller, and they can be and are attached to any cross-branch SF unit across the line. In my bother’s case, he’s been through Iraq1, Iraq2, Afghanistan, Kosovo and so on…most more than a few times. They have to integrate and operate as a member of the unit type to which they are attached as well as perform specific functions solitarily. Their achievements and capabilities are now a matter of record, but purely as a matter of rivalry I will still jab at him about the AF.

Thankfully, he is close to retirement and has now returned permanently to the States and to his family as of June 6th!!


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Originally posted by SportyMB

The yanks are always calling on them to do their dirty work... The Australian SAS was in Iraq atleast 24-hours before Bush declared we were going in... Anyone here read a book called "Sleeping With your Ears Open" by Gary McKay ?

What are you talking about??? How do you know this? because some guy wrote it in a book?

I can sort of understand making a statement towards a unit being there....but to say that units were not there before other units is crazy talk. At least when it comes to this kind of stuff, most of thier stuff is classified anyways...so how would you know if they were not there??? huh??

[edit on 10/6/2005 by SportyMB]

Don't know if they did any of the dirty work in Iraq, but the Aussies got pretty annoyed when they weren't given any work in Afghanistan:

SAS In Afghanistan

CJF glad to hear that he's home for good. Tell him a big Sierra Hotel for his service and everything he did for this country.

SBS are in there mate;

Members of the SBS took part in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. They were involved in the beginning days, taking part in amphibious landings on the Al-Faw Peninsula near the port of Umm Qasr. Later, teams were inserted into Northern Iraq to conduct reconnaissance and sabotage missions.

www.specwarnet.com...
There is a bit on the MOD site that seems to say something about SAS and SBS deployments in iraq but I cant access it, stupid old computer!

The link below tells a lot about Australia's invovlment in Iraq, a lot of stuff about special forces. I'll try and find some pics, or maybe I'll upload some.


link