'I've had more than my share of close calls. Truth is, it's f
*cking thrilling. But the fear can hit just as hard, especially when you see mates wounded or killed. Or civilians caught in the crossfire - people who had nothing to do with the fight, but still paid the price.'
This is the story of Andy White and two years in Tarin Kot with the Australian SAS, towards the end of the war in Afghanistan, when the fighting was at its most intense. These are vivid recollections of combat, leadership, bravery, errors, and dark humour.
Andy reveals how the men planned their missions, how they rapidly adjusted to changing conditions on the ground, and operated alongside Uruzgan's warlords. He also shows how strategic and political decisions shaped the way the SASR, alongside the 2nd Commando Regiment and the Special Operations Engineer Regiment, fought Australia's longest war.
This is an insider account of SAS operations like no other, from one of Australia's most experienced soldiers.
'An incredible story of endurance, sacrifice and courage.' John Cantwell AO DSC, Major General (Ret'd)
'An expert, unflinching account of the SASR in Afghanistan, a powerful story that needed to be told.' Wayne Weeks, CSM, former Regimental Sergeant Major, SASR
'Andy's book exudes a rare authenticity and a genuine cry from the heart to all those who the system has failed.' Nick Kaldas, Chair, Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
'A raw insight into the 21st-century warfighting experience of the Australian SASR.' Major Vando DSM, SASR SQN Commander (Ret'd)
'Outside the Wire is authentic, powerful, and needed.' Brigadier Dan Fortune DSC and Bar (SASR Ret'd)
'Far more than an engrossing read; it is a sophisticated demonstration of how tactical decisions made in the dust and chaos of operations can reverberate with strategic, national consequences.' Major Brett Sangster, 2CDO (Ret'd)
By:
Andy White
Imprint: Allen & Unwin
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 153mm,
ISBN: 9781761473876
ISBN 10: 1761473875
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 21 July 2026
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Preface: Known knowns 1 Troops in contact, wait out . . . 2 Prisoner of Mother England 3 Life is not a rehearsal 4 Bloodlines of principle 5 Observe, orient, decide, act 6 For Queen and countries 7 Testing the depth of the water with both feet 8 The cornerstone of the SASR 9 Eating the elephant, one bite at a time 10 Going walkabout 11 No plan survives contact 12 Sharpening the daggers edge 13 Shooters that are thinkers, and thinkers that are shooters 14 Black Friday 15 Checking boxes, not people 16 With friends like these . . . 17 Don't let truth get in the way of a good story 18 Targeting, tall tales, and Treasury restraint 19 In Dog We Trust 20 Bound by blood 21 Romulus and Remus 22 W.I.A. 23 Rats and ratlines 24 Bestest boy 25 A century of mateship 26 Key performance indicators 27 The un-remarkable trinity 28 Friends, foes and fence sitters Epilogue Acknowledgements Notes Index
Andy White spent 29 years as a soldier and a non-commissioned officer. He first served in the British Army in the 1990s and early 2000s in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone and Iraq. He then moved to Australia and joined the Australian army, then qualifying for the Australian SAS Regiment. He has deployed 15 times over his career, and fought with the SAS over two years in Afghanistan, including as a dog handler. Andy was recognised in the 2012 Australia Day honours list for distinguished service in war-like operations and in action.
