, image =
, caption =
, motto = pt, Se fizeram por armas tão svbidos
, themesong =
, colors =
, march =
, ceremonial_chief =
, type =
Airborne Light Infantry
Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought ...
Special Forces
, branch =
Army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
, dates = 1993–present
, country =
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...
, allegiance =
, command_structure =
Portuguese Army
, size = Eight Battalions
, role =
, garrison =
Parachute Troops School, Tancos
, current_commander =
MG Raul Luís de Morais Lima Ferreira da Cunha
, battles =
![Portuguese Commandos Support Afghan National Army - Image 3 of 3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Portuguese_Commandos_Support_Afghan_National_Army_-_Image_3_of_3.jpg)
The ''Brigada de Reacção Rápida'' (Rapid Reaction Brigade) is a unit of the
Portuguese Army which was known as ''BAI - Brigada Aerotransportada Independente'' (Independent Airborne Brigade) until 2006. Its different units are highly trained
Paratroopers
A paratrooper is a military parachutist—someone trained to parachute into a military operation, and usually functioning as part of an airborne force. Military parachutists (troops) and parachutes were first used on a large scale during World ...
,
Commandos
Royal Marines from 40 Commando on patrol in the Sangin">40_Commando.html" ;"title="Royal Marines from 40 Commando">Royal Marines from 40 Commando on patrol in the Sangin area of Afghanistan are pictured
A commando is a combatant, or operativ ...
and
Special Operations Troops capable of responding to threats in any part of continental
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...
or any other Portuguese overseas territory with quick deployment by air, sea or land (with the support of the
Air Force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ...
and/or the
Navy
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It in ...
when required). This brigade is the most requested by the
Portuguese Government
, border = Central
, image =
, caption =
, date =
, state = Portuguese Republic
, address = Official Residence of the Prime Minister Estrela, Lisbon
, appointed = President ...
to fulfill international assignments due to its experience and multi-role capability.
The economic crisis forced the Portuguese Government to make budget cuts in the Armed Forces, and in June 2012 it was announced that the Portuguese Army was no longer going to receive the 10
NH-90 transport helicopters that would incorporate the
''Unidade de Aviação Ligeira do Exército'' (Army Light Aviation Unit). Thus, the Rapid Reaction Brigade still maintains its dependency on the
Air Force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ...
for aerial transportation.
History
In 1993, the ''Corpo de Tropas Aerotransportadas'' (Airborne Troops Corps), which was part of the
Portuguese Air Force was disbanded and the Portuguese airborne forces were transferred to the
Army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
. A new brigade was then created, the Independent Airborne Brigade (BAI) which included all airborne-capable forces in it. The Army also transferred to this brigade some heavier weapons like
howitzers
A howitzer () is a long-ranged weapon, falling between a cannon (also known as an artillery gun in the United States), which fires shells at flat trajectories, and a mortar, which fires at high angles of ascent and descent. Howitzers, like oth ...
, thus giving the unit increased
firepower
Firepower is the military capability to direct force at an enemy. (It is not to be confused with the concept of rate of fire, which describes the cycling of the firing mechanism in a weapon system.) Firepower involves the whole range of potenti ...
, as well as creating an operational command named ''Comando de Tropas Aerotransportadas'' (Airborne Troops Command).
The
Comandos Regiment was disbanded and the Comandos that had the Parachute Course were transferred to the new brigade. For more than 10 years the BAI kept serving the country in international missions, sending
Paratroopers
A paratrooper is a military parachutist—someone trained to parachute into a military operation, and usually functioning as part of an airborne force. Military parachutists (troops) and parachutes were first used on a large scale during World ...
to several locations in
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...
and
East-Timor
East Timor (), also known as Timor-Leste (), officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is an island country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the exclave of Oecusse on the island's north-wester ...
. In 2002 the Comandos were reactivated as an independent unit and were separated from the Paratroopers.
In 2006, a reorganization in the Portuguese Army occurred, renaming the brigade as ''Brigada de Reacção Rápida'' (Rapid Reaction Brigade) and adding
special forces to it. These units were the
Comandos and the
Rangers, increasing the brigade-size with two Comando companies and the Special Operations Forces but losing the 3rd Paratrooper Infantry Battalion (disbanded). Also, this reformation had its costs since the 155mm
howitzers
A howitzer () is a long-ranged weapon, falling between a cannon (also known as an artillery gun in the United States), which fires shells at flat trajectories, and a mortar, which fires at high angles of ascent and descent. Howitzers, like oth ...
were transferred to the
Portuguese Intervention Brigade
The Intervention Brigade ( pt, Brigada de Intervenção) or BrigInt is an infantry brigade in service with the Portuguese Army. It was created in 2006 from the Light Intervention Brigade (), which was itself the heir of the former Special Forces B ...
(thus losing its airborne capability) and the Airborne Troops Command was disbanded, putting the unit under the orders of the ''Comando Operacional de Forças Terrestres'' (Land Forces Operational Command) losing its autonomy from the rest of the Army.
Organization
The brigade's operational units are listed below. Under the Portuguese system regiments and centres are responsible for the training, maintenance, and sustainment of the operational units, but are not operational units themselves. I.e. the 15th Infantry Regiment trains, maintains and sustains the 1st Paratroopers Infantry Battalion, but itself is not an operational unit and not part of the brigade during wartime.
* Rapid Reaction Brigade (''Brigada de Reação Rápida''), in
Tancos
Tancos is a Portuguese ''freguesia'' ("civil parish"), located in the municipality of Vila Nova da Barquinha. The population in 2011 was 243,[Estremoz
Estremoz () is a municipality in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 14,318, in an area of 513.80 km². The city Estremoz itself had a population of 7,682 in 2001. It is located in the Alentejo region.
History
The region around Estremoz ...]
** 1st Paratroopers Infantry Battalion,
15th Infantry Regiment (''Regimento de Infantaria Nº 15''), in
Tomar
Tomar (), also known in English as Thomar (the ancient name of Tomar), is a city and a municipality in the Santarém district of Portugal. The town proper has a population of about 20,000. The municipality population in 2011 was 40,677, in an a ...
** 2nd Paratroopers Infantry Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment (''Regimento de Infantaria Nº 10''), in
São Jacinto
**
Airborne Operations Battalion, Paratroopers Regiment (''Regimento de Paraquedistas''), in Tancos
*** Command and Services Company
*** Pathfinder Company
*** Air Supply Company
*** Air Equipment Company
*** K9 Platoon (
Military working dog
Dogs in warfare have a very long history starting in Ancient history, ancient times. From being trained in combat, to their use as scouts, sentries, Courier, messengers, mercy dogs, and Tracking (dog), trackers, their uses have been varied and s ...
s)
** Commando Battalion,
Commando Regiment (''Regimento de Comandos'') in
Belas
** Special Operations Force,
Special Operations Troops Centre
, image = CTOE unit crest.png
, image_size =
, caption = CTOE coat of arms
, nickname = ''Rangers''
, motto = la, Que os muitos p ...
(''Centro de Tropas de Operações Especiais''), in
Lamego
Lamego (; cel-x-proto, Lamecum) is a city and municipality in the Viseu District, in the Norte Region of the Douro in northern Portugal. Located on the shores of the Balsemão River, the municipality has a population of 26,691, in an area of 165 ...
[http://www.exercito.pt/sites/CTOE/Paginas/Organizacao.aspx Official site of the Special Operations Troops Centre]
** Field Artillery Group,
4th Artillery Regiment (''Regimento de Artilharia Nº 4''), in
Leiria with
L118 105mm howitzers
** Light Engineer Company, 1st Engineer Regiment (''Regimento de Engenharia Nº 1''), in Tancos
** Signal Company, Paratroopers Regiment (''Regimento de Paraquedistas''), in Tancos
** Permanent Light Service Support Nucleus (NPApSvcLig), in
Entroncamento
Entroncamento () is a Portuguese municipality in district of Santarém in the Médio Tejo Subregion (''Middle Tagus'') of the Centro Region. The population in 2011 was 20,206, in an area of 13.73 km². Situated in the Ribatejo, it benefits ...
Paratroopers
The Paratroopers and elite infantry force and are the heaviest troops on the
brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division.
B ...
acting as airborne light infantry, used for
conventional conflicts, with emphasis on airborne assaults. Paratrooper battalions contain units with heavy weapons and light vehicles for quick assaults and raids. Paratroopers are instructed at the
Parachute Troops School, in
Tancos
Tancos is a Portuguese ''freguesia'' ("civil parish"), located in the municipality of Vila Nova da Barquinha. The population in 2011 was 243,[Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...]
.
* Paratrooper units: (the units are battalion sized, but retain the name regiment for historic reasons)
** 10th Infantry Regiment (''Regimento de Infantaria Nº10'')
**
15th Infantry Regiment (''Regimento de Infantaria Nº15'')
Special Operations Forces
The Special Operations Forces are generally the first to arrive and the last to leave the operational area. They are the most autonomous unit of the brigade, able to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines. Not as heavily armed as the Commandos nor the Paratroopers, its units rely on stealth to complete their objectives. Since it is airborne-qualified it can be deployed by air, sea or land.
Special Operators are instructed at the
Special Operations Troops Centre
, image = CTOE unit crest.png
, image_size =
, caption = CTOE coat of arms
, nickname = ''Rangers''
, motto = la, Que os muitos p ...
in
Lamego
Lamego (; cel-x-proto, Lamecum) is a city and municipality in the Viseu District, in the Norte Region of the Douro in northern Portugal. Located on the shores of the Balsemão River, the municipality has a population of 26,691, in an area of 165 ...
, northern
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...
.
*
Special Operations
Special operations (S.O.) are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment". Special operations may include ...
/ CTOE - Special Operations Troops Center (''Centro Tropas Operações Especiais'')
Comandos
The Comandos are an elite light infantry unit capable of conducting several
special operations
Special operations (S.O.) are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment". Special operations may include ...
missions, although they are mainly a
rapid reaction force
A rapid reaction force is a military or police unit designed to respond in very short time frames to emergencies. When used in reference to police forces such as SWAT teams, the time frame is minutes, while in military applications, such as with t ...
. They can be deployed by air, sea or land.
Commandos are instructed at the Commando Regiment, in
Belas.
*
Commando Regiment
Equipment
International assignments
Independent Airborne Brigade missions
As the ancestor of the Rapid Reaction Brigade, the Independent Airborne Brigade made several missions to several different countries mainly in peacekeeping operations. Paratrooper Battalions were sent to
Bosnia,
East-Timor
East Timor (), also known as Timor-Leste (), officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is an island country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the exclave of Oecusse on the island's north-wester ...
and
Kosovo
Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...
.
Afghanistan
After the creation of the brigade, the unit was sent to Afghanistan. An entire
Commando
Royal Marines from 40 Commando on patrol in the Sangin">40_Commando.html" ;"title="Royal Marines from 40 Commando">Royal Marines from 40 Commando on patrol in the Sangin area of Afghanistan are pictured
A commando is a combatant, or operativ ...
company was sent to the area (western provinces), suffering the first
KIA
Kia Corporation, commonly known as Kia (, ; formerly known as Kyungsung Precision Industry and Kia Motors Corporation), is a South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It is South Korea's second lar ...
of the
Portuguese Armed Forces
The Portuguese Armed Forces ( pt, Forças Armadas) are the military of Portugal. They include the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the other unified bodies and the three service branches: Portuguese Navy, Portuguese Army and Portuguese Air ...
since the end of the
Portuguese Colonial War
The Portuguese Colonial War ( pt, Guerra Colonial Portuguesa), also known in Portugal as the Overseas War () or in the former colonies as the War of Liberation (), and also known as the Angolan, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambican War of Independence, ...
, during a daytime patrol. The KIA Comando was 1st Sergeant Roma Pereira, mortally hit when an
IED detonated his
Humvee
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV; colloquial: Humvee) is a family of light, four-wheel drive, military trucks and utility vehicles produced by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles previously performed by the ...
.
The Comandos were replaced by a company of
Paratroopers
A paratrooper is a military parachutist—someone trained to parachute into a military operation, and usually functioning as part of an airborne force. Military parachutists (troops) and parachutes were first used on a large scale during World ...
who suffered no casualties while performing the mission. This company was yet again replaced by a second company of Comandos.
Bosnia
In the beginning of 2007, the Portuguese Defense Minister decided to end the mission in Bosnia due to the lack of need of a military presence in the area. All units from the Rapid Reaction Brigade and from the
Portuguese Mechanized Brigade present in the region withdrew.
References
{{Reflist
Rapid Reaction Brigade
Military units and formations established in 2006
Special forces of Portugal
Military of Portugal