Who is Gaz based on in Call of Duty?

tags.

The rugged British special forces operator Gaz occupies an iconic spot in Call of Duty lore. With his skull balaclava and silent professionalism, Gaz epitomizes the elite soldier archetype. But just who is this mysterious character based on?

As it turns out, "Gaz" refers to not one, but two connected characters across the blockbuster first-person shooter series:

1. Original Gaz – The Veteran SAS Commando from Call of Duty 4

Making his debut in 2007‘s seminal Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the original Gaz was a battle-tested member of the British SAS serving under then-Captain John Price. While his real name goes unrevealed, "Gaz" served as his callsign – fitting for an enigmatic operator shrouded in secrecy.

• As a 20+ year SAS veteran, Gaz boasts extensive combat experience across global hotspots from Belfast to Sierra Leone.
• His specializations include sabotage, reconnaissance, direct action raids and training local forces.
• Gaz has likely participated in hundreds of missions for Crown and country before the events of Call of Duty 4.

When a radical Russian nationalist named Imran Zakhaev threatens the world with nuclear catastrophe, Price handpicks Gaz as part of his elite squad to avert global disaster.

As Price‘s dependable right-hand man, Gaz proves critical in:

• Securing a nuclear package before terrorists (Crew Expendable)
• Capturing Zakhaev‘s son for interrogation (Sins of the Father)
• Surviving waves of Ultranationalist assaults (One Shot, One Kill, Heat)

Tragically, a wayward nuclear blast kills 30,000 Marines including Gaz as collateral damage (Shock and Awe). But his efforts help stop WWIII in its tracks.

The Defining Qualities of the Iconic Original

What makes the original Gaz so compelling? As an apex special forces operator, Gaz represents:

• Supreme competence – Handling any weapon/situation with ease.
• Utter dependability – Always having Price‘s back during missions.
• Total fearlessness – Never backing down against overwhelming odds.

With skills honed across hundreds of operations, plus a bond of brotherly trust with Price, Gaz earns his place as an iconic Call of Duty character despite his limited screen time.

2. Sergeant Kyle "Gaz" Garrick – The Next-Gen Successor

In 2019‘s series reboot Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Gaz gets reimagined as Marine Sergeant Kyle Garrick. Originally dismissive of rules and formalities, a failed mission opens Kyle‘s eyes to the importance of working as a team for the greater good.

After fighting side-by-side during a morally ambiguous CIA-sponsored coup, Captain Price recognizes Kyle‘s leadership talents.

Now commanding the reformed Task Force 141, Price formally invites the newly minted Sergeant Garrick to join this elite international squad. Considering Kyle‘s quiet professionalism reminiscent of the original, Price bestows the honor of the "Gaz" callsign upon him.

*"This belongs to you mate. The fallen are never far…"* – Captain Price passing the iconic Gaz balaclava to Kyle

By the Numbers:

Sgt. Kyle "Gaz" Garrick‘s Key Stats:

The Mantle Is Passed…

As Price reforms Task Force 141 to take down rising threats, Kyle "Gaz" Garrick serves as his most trusted field operative – just like the original Gaz did 15 years prior. From supporting Mexican special forces against drug cartels, to joining Ghost and Soap in neutralizing terrorist threats, Gaz once again plays a pivotal role across globe-spanning missions.

Now with Bond-esque high-tech gear, upgraded combat tactics and a new generation of enemies to face, the reimagined Gaz builds upon the legacy of the Call of Duty 4 original – while showing the capacity to forge his own legend moving forward.

The Definitive Special Operator

Across two eras of Call of Duty lore, Gaz represents the definitive special forces soldier. Whether the gruff SAS commando shrouded in mystery or the next-gen Marine scout rising to continue the fight, Gaz demonstrates skill, bravery and composure under fire time and again.

Sure, he may lack Soap‘s witty one-liners or Price‘s gravitas in giving inspiration speeches – but that silent professionalism only adds to his old school soldierly appeal.

Much like the real-world special operators who carry out covert operations we seldom hear about, men like Gaz operate on a true "deeds not words" ethos. And those silent deeds of valor provide tremendous inspirational value to fans nonetheless as Gaz continues taking the fight to the enemies of freedom and justice within the world of Call of Duty.