This week was to have seen a new chapter in Australia’s SAS story unfold: the formal disbanding of 2 Squadron SASR (Special Air Service Regiment) at Perth’s Campbell Barracks. The “flag folding” ceremony was to have taken place on Friday after the Brereton war crimes inquiry made adverse findings concerning the reputation of the once proud squadron of which controversial former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith was a member.

Late on Wednesday, however, the brass postponed the ceremony citing COVID restrictions, though some speculated the delay might have been more about avoiding further controversy.

A special forces soldier on the ground in Afghanistan.Credit:Defence Department

On Tuesday, at another event, Assistant Defence Minister Andrew Hastie, a former SASR captain, announced the beginning of a “new era”, which would see leadership of the regiment elevated from Lieutenant-Colonel to full Colonel in recognition “of the span and complexity of command in the SASR”. Also present via videolink was Chief of Army, Lieutenant-General Rick Burr, another alumnus of Australia’s most famous regiment.

Tellingly, no direct reference was made to the bad news stories about the special forces that have dominated reporting in past years, blighting the regiment – allegations of bloodings, cover-up and executions.

While the disbanding of a military unit is not unusual, to do so because its reputation has been dishonoured is one more bitter pill. Lieutenant-General Burr did acknowledge “a difficult time for many people” and a “toll on individuals and families”.

The great majority who served in 2 Squadron since the 1960s did so with honour. This also applies to the majority who served in Afghanistan. While ugly accusations have emanated from 2 Squadron, they involve a small number of soldiers, and notably, the alleged incidents were called out by other squadron members.

Lieutenant General Burr acknowledged it had been a difficult period for soldiers and their families.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Critics note that the assertions, so far unproven, reach beyond 2 Squadron and that the leadership is yet to be properly held to account.

But none of that discounts what we know: that the Brereton inquiry found 39 Afghans were allegedly murdered by Australian Special Forces in 23 incidents encompassing the worst episode in Australian military history.

When the report released last November revealed the seriousness of the allegations, Defence chose to disband the squadron as a symbolic course of action. This also applied to a recommendation that a Meritorious Unit Citation awarded to Special Forces be withdrawn – an initiative later overturned by Defence Minister Peter Dutton.

Since that time a concerted misinformation campaign by various media operators has worked at overturning reforms, most notably by falsely claiming those accused of war crimes have already been cleared.

Minister for Defence Peter Dutton overturned an earlier decision to strip the squadron of its citation.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

A report by the ABC’s Mark Willacy showing footage of SAS members cavorting semi-naked with strippers at The Gratto, their local drinking hole in Perth, has further fomented anger. The soldiers seen dancing to the lyrics, “We’re getting away with it” was another blow to a reputation in freefall. Angry veterans insist the reference to “getting away with it” had nothing to do with war crimes, but to getting back from the war in one piece.

It is worth noting the Brereton report identified key command failings from the recent past not so much in theatre as in Perth itself, where a culture of exceptionalism was encouraged – far from the traditional SAS creed of courageous restraint and quiet achievement.

In Lieutenant-General Burr’s Tuesday speech there was a hint of a return to the fold “of quiet professionals, humble, intelligent, disciplined and ethical” with “calm, effective and trusted leadership”.

Tomorrow’s postponed event was to also celebrate the unit’s birthday and a new start with the small percentage of remaining 2 Squadron members dispersed throughout a “modernised” regiment with “cutting-edge technology”. Contrary to a common claim of widespread internal anger, serving 2 Squadron Afghanistan veterans appear to concur, echoing a sentiment that “it’s happening now so let’s move on.” In the view of some at least, “dissent comes mostly from outsiders”.

But those outsiders have been noisy, in contrast to Defence leadership who have remained as quiet as a grave. The events of this week exemplify an impossible communication objective: to appease the disgruntled and not mention the war.

Let’s hope the outsiders, the opportunists, the shock-jocks and dissemblers don’t gain further traction with Dutton.

In the past month we have watched the dismal scenes from Afghanistan of Australia’s longest war trailing to a miserable conclusion.

When successive Australian governments defended the mission, we often heard a raison d’etre that Australia needed to hold on to a vestige of moral authority. Now the chance to formally fold the flag on alleged wrongdoing appears to have been postponed for fear of controversy.

What a horrible thought that this last battleground – of coming to terms with the truth of our participation in that war – might also be abandoned.

Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie are award-winning investigative journalists.

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