Underwater Defence (Turkish Armed Forces)

The Underwater Defence (Turkish: Su Altı Savunma), or SAS, is the one and only EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) unit of the Turkish Navy, based in the Foça Naval Base near İzmir, on the Aegean coast of Turkey

Underwater Defence Group Command
Su Altı Savunma Grup Komutanlığı (SAS)
Active1963–present
Country Turkey
AllegianceTurkish Armed Forces
BranchTurkish Naval Forces
TypeExplosive Ordnance Disposal
Role
Motto(s)"Fire, Gunpowder and Us."
EngagementsBattle of Tillyria (allegedly)

Operation Atilla

Imia/Kardak Military crisis

KFOR mine clearance operation

UNIFIL

Operation Euphrates Shield

Trench Operations

Operation Olive Branch

Operation Peace Spring
Insignia
AbbreviationS.A.S.

The missions of the Su Altı Savunma (SAS) include coastal defence operations, such as clearing mines or unexploded torpedoes, and disabling enemy IEDs.

History

The first S.A.S. unit was established in 1964 in the city of Istanbul, The original name of the S.A.S. unit was Su Altı Müdafaa (S.A.M.) and is bound to the Kurtarma ve Sualtı Komutanlığı (K.S.K.), or Rescue and Underwater Command.

Mission

Their main tasks are:[1]

  • Deactivation or disposal of explosive material, mines and/or unidentified ordnance under the water off the friendly ports and coasts.
  • Deactivation or disposal of explosive material, mines and/or unidentified ordnance under the water off the target coasts or ports. That includes clearing of the target beaches of mines, explosives, booby traps and tank traps, prior to the amphibious assault of the friendly forces.
  • Deactivation or disposal of explosives and mines that might be present on the course of the friendly troops and/or VIP military personnel.
  • Consultancy in defending the strategic facilities against stealth assaults by enemy commandos.

SAS units do not perform assault, counter-terrorism, recon or CQC missions. A real-time duty executed by the SAS has been the clearing of the Girne Beach, Cyprus, prior to the amphibious assault of the Turkish Armed Forces to the island in 1974.

Equipment

Handguns

Submachine Guns

Assault Rifles

SAS defusing an unexploded old aircraft ammunition.

Machine Guns

SAS (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) teams in contact detection & tactical walking training

Sniper Rifles

Anti-Materiel Rifles

Rockets & Explosives

Turkish Naval Forces
Components
Special Forces
History
Equipment

References
  1. "Su Alti Savunma (SAS)". Shadow Spear. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
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