The Special Boat Service (SBS) is the special operations force of the Royal Marine Corps and Naval Service of the United Kingdom, and the sister unit of the SAS. The operational capabilities of both units are broadly similar, however, the SBS has the additional training and equipment to lead in the maritime, amphibious and riverine environments. Together with the Special Air Service, Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group they form the United Kingdom Special Forces and come under joint control of the same Director Special Forces, and undergo an identical selection process, enjoy significant interoperability in training and on operations. In times of armed conflict and war, the Special Boat Service and Special Air Service are required to operate in small parties in enemy-controlled territory. Principal roles of the SBS are Surveillance Reconnaissance, including information reporting and target acquisition; Offensive Action, including direction of air strikes, artillery and naval gunfire, designation for precision guided munitions, use of integral weapons and demolitions; and Support and Influence, including overseas training tasks. The SBS also provide immediate response Military Counter Terrorism (CT) and Maritime Counter Terrorism (MCT) teams. The SBS is manned by ranks drawn mostly from the Royal Marines and carries out a role similar to the Special Air Service, but with a traditionally stronger focus on amphibious operations. Two of the SBS's four squadrons, C and X, are configured for general operations. S squadron specialises in the use of minisubs and small boats and M squadron specialises in Maritime Counter Terrorism. The SBS also operates on land, with recent operations in the mountains of landlocked Afghanistan and in the deserts of Iraq. Their main tasks include intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism operations (surveillance or offensive action), sabotage and the disruption of enemy infrastructure, capture of specific individuals, close protection of senior politicians and military personnel, plus reconnaissance and combat action on foreign territory. Video Copyrights/Sources (C) Milpictures | Tom Weber (C) Eliteukforces (C) Special Forces Branch of United Kingdom Music Copyrights: Hans Zimmer - Another Brick in Hadrian's Wall (Orginial Film Score of King Arthur)

• published: 30 Sep 2015
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