This was announced by the then Federal Minister of Defence John Moore Caldicott, but it was Sir Roy Welensky who was the reported driving force behind the reforming of what was to become the SAS.

The "experiment" was a complete success and in July decided to form a regular European SAS Squadron.

By July the following year, No 9 basic course received their wings from the Federal Prime Minister himself, Sir Roy Welensky.

In August 1962, the Unit had sufficient men to become operational and became known as "C" Squadron (Rhodesian) Special Air Service.

[3] The unit moved to their new barracks called "Kabrit" in 1979 and continued to serve with outstanding success and distinction[citation needed] until it was disbanded with the transition to black majority rule on 31 December 1980 as Rhodesia became Zimbabwe.

"D" Squadron was the "cover" name given to the South African Special Forces (Recces),[4] Alpha Group from 1 Reconnaissance Commando (1 RC) & Bravo Group from 5 Reconnaissance Commando (5 RC) who worked alongside "C" Squadron SAS in the South-East corner of Rhodesia and Gaza Province, of Mozambique both separately and jointly from late 1977 – June 1978.

South African personnel were also deployed with Rhodesian SAS on Operation Splinter on Lake Kariba, in 1978.