Australia's
TAG / OAT
Australia had never felt the power of terrorism until 12:40 AM on February 13, 1978, when a powerful bomb exploded in the entrance to the Hilton Hotel in central Sydney. Ten days later, the newly formed 1st squadron of the Austrailian Special Air Service Regiment, or SASR was designated as Austrailia's CT force. Soon thereafter, a new unit was formed; the Tactical Assault Group (TAG).

As "B" squadron of the SASR, members of TAG undergo the same selection and training that members of the "regular" SASR have to complete. The selection phase is three weeks long, those that pass undergo nearly a year of training before they can wear the coveted sand-colored beret. TAG's training facilities include advanced outdoor close quarters battle ranges, an urban CT complex, aircraft mock-ups, and snipers ranges.

An off-shoot of the TAG group is OAT, or the Offshore Assault Team. Initially, twenty divers from the Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Teams switched branches to the SASR to help man the new unit. OAT, as the name suggests, specializes in maritime assaults; including ships, ferries, and oil rigs. OAT is considered a separate but equal element of TAG.

TAG/OAT operator utilize a large arsenal of weapons in their battle against terrorism. The standard assault rifles are the M-16A2 and F-88 5.56mm rifles (the F-88 is a localy fabricated Steyr). Pistols include the Browning HP 9mm and the SIG Sauer P-228. Although the entire family of MP-5s are used, the favorite is the MP-5K. The Beretta RS RS 202 shotgun is used, and no less than four different types of sniper rifles are in their inventory; the 7.62 Galil, HK PSG-1, Parker Hale 82, and the Finnish Tikka .223.

TAG/OAT operators are HALO/HAHO qualified, and are proficient at heliborne insertions as well. Cross-training with other countries is not uncommon; Austrailian officers are permanently assigned to both Fort Bragg (home of Delta force) and Little Creek, NAB, home of Navy SEAL counter-trerrorist activities.