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| BELT COLOURS - blue |
The regimental belt worn by badged members of the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Group originated from Britain’s 22 Special Air Service Regiment and was first worn in October 1965 by members of 1Detachment, 1Ranger Squadron, New Zealand Special Air Service returning from operations in Borneo. The distinctive colour originates from David Stirling’s concept of combining the traditional Oxford blue and Cambridge blue.
The belt’s buckle is made of steel and has embossed on it the Special Air service badge. The device is a flaming sword that is King Arthur’s legendary weapon Excalibur, and thus represents the sword that would win freedom from the invader. The motto inscribed across the blade is Who Dares Wins.
With thanks to George Pearson
SPECIAL FORCES STABLE BELTS
The stable belt (with its distinctive badges) indicates what part of New Zealand’s Special Operations Forces an individual belongs to (i.e. NZSAS, D Squadron, E Squadron).
The Special Operations Command does not have a specific stable belt to be worn by military personnel. Instead, individuals adopt the belt most appropriate to their role and affiliations within the organisation.
Members of the New Zealand Special Air Service wear a regimental stable belt of distinctive blue. The colour is derived from an integration of the traditional Oxford and Cambridge blues in line with David Stirling’s original concept for the Special Air Service.
Commandos wear a black stable belt with a distinctive Commando buckle in recognition of their counter-terrorist role (colloquially known in military circles as the ‘black role’).
Members of E Squadron (EOD) wear a black stable belt with a distinctive Explosive Ordnance Disposal buckle.
Crown copyright 2013 New Zealand Defence Force
