These elite units conduct covert missions to protect Portugal at home or abroad!
Portugal is a relatively small country of 35 603 square miles and a population of about 10.4 million. However, in the past, Portugal has a large colonial empire trained troops needed to defend. Portugal is also a member of NATO. Although the colonial empires disappeared, some elite units trained for service in the colonies remained an important part of the Portuguese armed forces.
The most famous of these units may be the command of the Portuguese army, which was originally formed in 1962 to carry out special operations in the Portuguese colonies. Military command which is better known for counter-insurgency operations in Africa. Portuguese commando very effective in fighting in Mozambique and Angola, but after the end of colonial conflicts, Commandos merged with the Portuguese air force.
However, the Commandos were activated in 2002 as an independent Battalion Command with two companies and Training Commando Company. In 2005 Commandos have been deployed in Afghanistan. An additional Commando Company is also authorized.
Like many elite unit, Commando training emphasizes the psychological as well as physical tenacity, the ability to continue despite the difficulties. Only about 20 percent of participants successfully completed the course selection. Again, as with many elite training course, which Commandos saved not sure what they should do. It is intended to develop the ability to quickly adapt to unforeseen circumstances in the battle. Among the main tasks of Command now range surveillance and intelligence, but they are also trained to direct action missions against the uprising. Commandos wearing red berets.
Rapid Reaction Brigade
The Commandos are part of the Portuguese Brigada Reaccao Rapida (Rapid Response Brigade). Also part of this brigade is the battalion Portuguese air, but they retain the names of the old regiments of the 3rd Cavalry (Reconnaissance), 10 and 15 regiments of infantry paratrooper. 15 Infantry Regiment is one of the oldest units of the Portuguese army, which was founded in 1641. The 15th Airborne act as a framework for the Portuguese troops Parachute School. Prior to 1993, paratroopers Portuguese has become part of the Air Force and have seen a lot of action in the colonial wars in Africa Paratrooper Hunter battalion. Since this time the air force structured more like a heavy air power when the Air Force, the unit has added some special battalion which is an anti-tank company, a heavy mortar company, a bunch of services and support, field artillery group, an engineering company, artillery anti-aircraft batteries and helicopter support group. There is also a War Dog Center and Pathfinder Society. Troops wearing a green beret.
“Though the colonial empire is gone, some of the elite units formed for service in the colonies remain as important parts of the Portuguese armed forces.”
The company is considered the elite Pathfinder in a parachute troops. In addition to the landing zone reconnaissance, Pathfinder can also adjust the air control at the battle front location. Although not their primary mission, Pathfinder also trained to conduct direct action missions or limited recognition.
Also part of the Rapid Reaction Brigade is a member CTOE Portuguese (Force Special Operations Center). The CTOE have a training mission Portuguese forces in the fight against terrorism and conventional war. CTOE is part of a special operations unit designated DOE, which has a range reconnaissance missions, raids against enemy command and control, destruction of enemy air defenses and radar stations, and mission recovery prisoners. DOE is formed for air, helicopter, small boats and other types of inserts. The unit is often equated with the Rangers of the United States Army. CTOE elements deployed in Bosnia, East Timor, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Among the specialized training offered by CTOE is a sniper, psychological warfare, mountain climbing and various others. CTOE members can also follow other courses, including combat diving, forward air controller, combat medical, combat communications, destruction, NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical), information gathering, static line skydiving, and manipulation of small boats. CTOE Members also attend courses abroad in the United States, Britain, Germany, Spain, Norway and Brazil. This includes the German School of SCRA, Norway cold forming and training the Brazilian jungle warfare.
Navy & Airborne
The Portuguese Navy is a small unit of special warfare DAE (Destacamento of especials entries Shares). Missions include reconnaissance beach, combat search and rescue (CSAR), maritime anti-terrorism (MAT), the destruction of enemy ships and facilities, raids on the beach, and other special operations. They undergo selection for the first complete DAE combat diving and underwater demolition training. After the success of this phase, they are trained in avoidance and evasion, high speed driving, mountain, small unit tactics and parachuting. They also learn English if they do not speak already. This unit has a resistance of about 60 and including a control unit with four teams of 10 men in the battle. Among the units with the DAE train US Navy's DEVGRU, British SBS Marine Commandos of France, Spain and Brazil GRUMEC UOE. AED units deployed to Angola, Zaire, Guinea-Bissau, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
While the air force is no longer part of the Portuguese Air Force, the Air Force will maintain a small special operations unit UPF (Unidade de Proteção da Forca). His duties include the protection of the Portuguese air base, protecting VIPs and CSAR. For this last mission, members of UPF had been trained by the US Air Force Pararescuemen.
More Elite Units
Portuguese Marines, the Corp of Fuzileiros, has a long and distinguished history as an elite unit; the unit can trace the history of 1618. The Fuzileiros
has the mission of amphibious warfare, coastal surveillance and raids, guerrilla warfare and conventional warfare, the prohibition and combating maritime boarding. In most countries, the Marine training is rigorous, but it is among the most difficult Fuzileiros, which lasted 42 weeks in the world with an average of only 25 percent by the end of training and obtain a dark blue beret. They walked away, complete challenging obstacle, learn to rappel and free climbing, train with small boats and learn destruction. They also spend a lot of time training for close combat situations with guns, knives and hand. The
Fuzileiros consists of two Marine battalions and support Fire Company, carrier support and naval police unit. Special operations unit DAE is considered part of the Marine Corps. Among the units that train Fuzileiros is Us Marines and British Royal Marines.
Another unit that should be mentioned is the Portuguese national counterterrorism unit GOE (Grupo de Operações especials). Part of the Public Security Police, GOE has primary responsibility for counter-terrorism operations in Portugal and also deployed for VIP protection, including a procession and countersniper VIP missions and raids in dangerous criminal organizations. The GOE is set in the control element, the support unit, three operational response group, each with a strength of 20 to 25 operators, and technical operations group responsible for the training, explosive ordnance disposal, canine and use monitoring devices working techniques.
Guns & Gear
As expected with such units, different groups of weapons used. The most widely used is the Heckler & Koch G36 rifle, the "K", "TO" and "" other C. rifle configuration that has seen some use is HK G3 and HK416 (5.56mm) / HK417 (7, 62 mm), and SG543 Sig. Portuguese Marines used M4 rifles M203 grenade launcher. Among the sniper rifle used by the different units of 5.56 mm Sig SG550 Sniper HK 7.62mm PSG1 / MSG90A1, International AW precision weapon in .338 Lapua, 7.62 and 0.50 mm and .50 caliber BMG Barrett M82 and M95.
Main machine guns HK MP5 and including MP5SD, FN P90, HK UMP and Uzi. Rifles including Franchi SPAS-12 SPAS-15 and Benelli M3 and M4, Remington 870 and Mossberg pistol used include primary 590. Sig Sauer P226, P228 and p2022, Glock 17 and Glock 19, and the HK USP. Heavy weapons including FN Minimi 5.56, which HK21E 7.62 mm, 7.62 mm Rheinmetall M3 and 5:56 HK MG4.
As a longtime member of NATO and a country with a proud military tradition, Portugal has maintained a set of units that can perform special missions at home or abroad. Portugal has also developed close military ties with other countries that allow special operations unit to get a world class education. Spec-Ops soldier Portugal ready to serve and defend.
