Australian SAS officers knew about unlawful ‘throwdowns’ on dead Afghans, report says

A previously unpublished military report has revealed that some Australian SAS officers were aware of unlawful "throwdowns" committed by soldiers under their command in Afghanistan, but did nothing to stop the practice. The report, commissioned by former defence force chief and SAS officer Angus Campbell in 2021, is scathing about the "breakdown of command" and erosion of military discipline during special forces operations in Afghanistan.

It found that patrol commanders, who are typically corporals or sergeants, were not held accountable for the misconduct as it originated and was concealed at that level. However, some SAS officers knew about the unlawful behaviour and failed to take effective action to investigate and address the issues. This breakdown of command and ineffective leadership resulted in a "corrosive effect on behaviours, morale and ultimately, military discipline."

The report also noted that the SAS regiment developed an "uncontrolled 'warrior' ethos" and the long, grinding nature of the Afghan conflict contributed to moral injury and impaired decision-making among soldiers. The excessively secretive and insular nature of the SAS, as well as an "inversion" of the chain of command, further exacerbated the problem.

The report cited the allowance of alcohol consumption by SAS soldiers on deployment as a sign that the rules did not apply to them, further undermining discipline. The failure to challenge non-commissioned officers and the tolerance of overt non-compliance also sent a powerful signal of the regiment's declining standards.