Parachute Troops School
Encyclopedia
The ETP - Escola de Tropas Páraquedistas (Parachute Troops School), based in Tancos
, Portugal, is a unit of the Portuguese Army
and serves as the instruction center for recruitment and training of the Portuguese paratroopers
. This unit includes an entire battalion, acting as support and reserve for Airborne units
which contains for example, military war dogs and Airborne Pathfinders
and an instruction battalion responsible for the forming of new paratroopers.
The ETP is part of the Rapid Reaction Brigade
that includes other elite
units like the Army Comandos
and Army Special Operations.
Like other Portuguese Airborne units, the troops of the School are nicknamed "Boinas Verdes" (Green Berets) while recruits are nicknamed "Catatuas".
and the Allies
, other armed forces began to examine the possibility of forming parachute Troops for special missions. In 1955, Portuguese Defense Ministry cabinet approved a request for funds for airborne paratroop training.
Two Army captains went to France
to take the French parachute course at the École de Troupes Aeroportèes. After the Portuguese Air Force
was created as an independent branch of the military, was decided that the paratroopers would be part of the Air Force, much like the German organizational structure during World War II. The BCP - Batalhão de Caçadores Páraquedistas (Paratrooper Hunters Battalion) was formed in 1956. The paratroopers were issued unique berets and camo
uniforms. Airborne forces initially jumped using the venerable German tri-motored Junkers Ju 52
aircraft. The unit was first deployed to Tancos
, which still serves as headquarters for today's Portuguese airborne forces.
, and the BCP became the RCP, or Regimento de Caçadores Pára-quedistas (Paratrooper Hunter, or Ranger Regiment
). By this time, the men were armed with the modern 7,62mm ArmaLite AR-10
infantry rifle, a weapon previously not seen in Western military forces. The paratroopers liked the accuracy and mobility of the AR-10, but supplies were embargoed after initial deliveries were completed in 1960, and paratroopers were later issued the collapsible-stock variant of the m/961 (G3
) rifle. As time went on, more airborne units were created in Angola, Mozambique, and other areas outside Portugal to fight the various separatist guerrilla movements.
Due to Portuguese Air Force
control over airborne units, the paratroops' battalion numbers reflected their subordination to local Air Force command, 1st Air Region (Air Force command over north atlantic territories) command 11th (Portugal) and 12th (Guiné-Bissau) Paratrooper Hunter Battalion, 2nd Air Region (Air Force command over South Atlantic territories) command the 21st Paratrooper Hunter Battalion (Angola) and the 3rd Air Region (Air Force command over the Indian ocean territories) command the 31st and 32nd Paratrooper Hunter Battalion (Mozambique).
A total of 160 Portuguese paratroopers were KIA
.
On April 25, 1974, a military coup led by left-wing members of the Portuguese Army ended the authoritarian government regime in Portugal, and the country moved towards fully democratic elections. Shortly afterwards, peace negotiations with the various African colonies resulted in an end to the African wars, followed by the independence of Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. Military reforms were instituted in Portugal in 1975, resulting in a reorganization of airborne forces.
In November 2007, a Paratrooper was killed in a vehicle accident in Afghanistan
.
The CTP is responsible for changing the paratroopers from a counter-guerrilla
force to a conventional airborne force capable of fighting in a possible NATO vs Warsaw Pact
war, so a Light Paratrooper Brigade (BRIPARAS) was formed with three Paratrooper Battalions and a few support units. The Corps also raised several barracks across Portugal to garrison the new brigade, BOTP1 – Base Operacional de Tropas Pára-quedistas nº1 (1st Paratrooper Operational Base) at Monsanto
and BOTP2 at São Jacinto; some troops were also garrisoned in the BETP at Tancos. The BRIPARA structure included:
. This meant also that the Commandos Regiment
would be disbanded and the commandos
that had taken the parachute course would be part of the new unit which was named BAI - Brigada Aerotransportada Independente (Independent Airborne Brigade).
The BETP then changed its name again to ETAT - Escola de Tropas Aerotransportadas (Airborne Troops School), the Paratrooper Corp changed to the Comando de Tropas Aerotransportas (Airborne Troops Command) and all three Paratrooper Battalions changed to Airborne Infantry Battalions (BIAT). This new Army Airborne Brigade was bigger and more powerful due to the previous Air Force Light Paratrooper Brigade; they had replaced heavy mortars with 105 mm artillery guns and were equipped with light armor vehicles.
In territorial terms the BOTP1 was closed and BOTP2 changed its name to the São Jacinto Military Area. The units of the brigade that were not at Tancos (Airborne Support Battalion) or São Jacinto (2nd BIAT) were now garrisoned at Army barracks (Regiments) like the 15th Infantry Regiment at Tomar
(1st BIAT), 3rd Infantry Regiment at Beja (3rd BIAT), 4th Artillery Regiment at Leiria (Grupo de Artilharia Aerotransportada – Airborne Artillery Group), 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Estremoz (Esquadrão de Reconhecimento Aerotransportado – Airborne Recon Squadron) and others. The BAI structure was:
. The Airborne Troops Command was disbanded. Currently, airborne forces are under direct control of regular army commands, such as Land Forces Operational Command (operational units) or the Instruction Command (ETP – Paratrooper School).
The Elite Forces brigade is no longer a full deployable brigade, but rather an organizational structure that controls all the special trained army units.
The 3rd Airborne Infantry Battalion and Anti-Tank Company were disbanded and the other two BIAT were renamed Paratrooper Infantry Battalions (BIParas), the São Jacinto Military Area was renamed 10th Infantry Regiment, the Airborne Artillery Group and the Services and Support Battalion were transferred to the Intervention Brigade and their no longer Airborne capable and the Engineering Company and the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery were reduced to platoon size.
This new Rapid Reaction Brigade
joined all remaining Paratrooper units together with Army Special Operations and the reborn battalion-size Army Comandos
unit.
Finally a newly formed unit has joined BRR: UALE (Army Light Aviation Unit), which is waiting to be equipped with NH-90 TTH and a still-to-be-chosen light utility helicopter, possibly the Eurocopter EC-135 or the AgustaWestland AW109.
BRR forces include:
Tancos
Tancos is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Vila Nova da Barquinha. It has a population of 295 inhabitants and a total area of 1.56 km².Tancos is the location of a major air base and a military academy....
, Portugal, is a unit of the Portuguese Army
Portuguese Army
The Portuguese Army is the ground branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in co-operation with other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the defence of Portugal...
and serves as the instruction center for recruitment and training of the Portuguese paratroopers
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
. This unit includes an entire battalion, acting as support and reserve for Airborne units
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
which contains for example, military war dogs and Airborne Pathfinders
Pathfinders Company (Portugal)
The Companhia de Precursores Aeroterrestres is a special operations unit of the Portuguese paratroopers. This unit is part of the Airborne Support Battalion which is based in Tancos...
and an instruction battalion responsible for the forming of new paratroopers.
The ETP is part of the Rapid Reaction Brigade
Portuguese Rapid Reaction Brigade
The Brigada de Reacção Rápida , is a unit of the Portuguese Army which was known as BAI - Brigada Aerotransportada Independente until 2006...
that includes other elite
Elite
Elite refers to an exceptional or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence...
units like the Army Comandos
Comandos
For the denomination of "commando" see commando; for the Argentine special operations unit see Amphibious Commandos Group; for other special forces with "Commando" in their names see list of special forces units....
and Army Special Operations.
Like other Portuguese Airborne units, the troops of the School are nicknamed "Boinas Verdes" (Green Berets) while recruits are nicknamed "Catatuas".
The Airborne Battalion
After the successful use of airborne forces in the Second World War by GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the Allies
Allies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
, other armed forces began to examine the possibility of forming parachute Troops for special missions. In 1955, Portuguese Defense Ministry cabinet approved a request for funds for airborne paratroop training.
Two Army captains went to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to take the French parachute course at the École de Troupes Aeroportèes. After the Portuguese Air Force
Portuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
was created as an independent branch of the military, was decided that the paratroopers would be part of the Air Force, much like the German organizational structure during World War II. The BCP - Batalhão de Caçadores Páraquedistas (Paratrooper Hunters Battalion) was formed in 1956. The paratroopers were issued unique berets and camo
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
uniforms. Airborne forces initially jumped using the venerable German tri-motored Junkers Ju 52
Junkers Ju 52
The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...
aircraft. The unit was first deployed to Tancos
Tancos
Tancos is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Vila Nova da Barquinha. It has a population of 295 inhabitants and a total area of 1.56 km².Tancos is the location of a major air base and a military academy....
, which still serves as headquarters for today's Portuguese airborne forces.
Colonial Wars and the Regiment
In 1961, conflict erupted in the African colonies. Troops were required to fight in AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, and the BCP became the RCP, or Regimento de Caçadores Pára-quedistas (Paratrooper Hunter, or Ranger Regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
). By this time, the men were armed with the modern 7,62mm ArmaLite AR-10
AR-10
The AR-10 is an American 7.62 mm battle rifle developed by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s at ArmaLite, then a division of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation...
infantry rifle, a weapon previously not seen in Western military forces. The paratroopers liked the accuracy and mobility of the AR-10, but supplies were embargoed after initial deliveries were completed in 1960, and paratroopers were later issued the collapsible-stock variant of the m/961 (G3
Heckler & Koch G3
The G3 is a 7.62mm battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
) rifle. As time went on, more airborne units were created in Angola, Mozambique, and other areas outside Portugal to fight the various separatist guerrilla movements.
Due to Portuguese Air Force
Portuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
control over airborne units, the paratroops' battalion numbers reflected their subordination to local Air Force command, 1st Air Region (Air Force command over north atlantic territories) command 11th (Portugal) and 12th (Guiné-Bissau) Paratrooper Hunter Battalion, 2nd Air Region (Air Force command over South Atlantic territories) command the 21st Paratrooper Hunter Battalion (Angola) and the 3rd Air Region (Air Force command over the Indian ocean territories) command the 31st and 32nd Paratrooper Hunter Battalion (Mozambique).
Paratrooper casualties
- 12th Paratrooper Hunter Battalion: 56 dead (3 officersOfficer (armed forces)An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
, 6 sergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
s and 47 soldiers). - 21st Paratrooper Hunter Battalion: 47 dead (5 officers, 9 sergeants and 33 soldiers)
- 31st Paratrooper Hunter Battalion: 39 dead (2 officers, 6 sergeants and 31 soldiers)
- 32nd Paratrooper Hunter Battalion: 18 dead (2 sergeants and 16 soldiers)
A total of 160 Portuguese paratroopers were KIA
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
.
On April 25, 1974, a military coup led by left-wing members of the Portuguese Army ended the authoritarian government regime in Portugal, and the country moved towards fully democratic elections. Shortly afterwards, peace negotiations with the various African colonies resulted in an end to the African wars, followed by the independence of Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. Military reforms were instituted in Portugal in 1975, resulting in a reorganization of airborne forces.
In November 2007, a Paratrooper was killed in a vehicle accident in Afghanistan
Modern airborne forces structure
Parachute Troops Base School
On July 5, 1975, the BETP (Base Escola de Tropas Pára-Quedistas or Parachute Troops Base School) was formed at the RCP, which was disbanded and integrated into the CTP or Corpo de Tropas Paraquedistas Parachute Troops Corps) of the Portuguese Air ForcePortuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
.
The CTP is responsible for changing the paratroopers from a counter-guerrilla
Counter-insurgency
A counter-insurgency or counterinsurgency involves actions taken by the recognized government of a nation to contain or quell an insurgency taken up against it...
force to a conventional airborne force capable of fighting in a possible NATO vs Warsaw Pact
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
war, so a Light Paratrooper Brigade (BRIPARAS) was formed with three Paratrooper Battalions and a few support units. The Corps also raised several barracks across Portugal to garrison the new brigade, BOTP1 – Base Operacional de Tropas Pára-quedistas nº1 (1st Paratrooper Operational Base) at Monsanto
Monsanto (Idanha-a-Nova)
Monsanto is a Portuguese freguesia in Idanha-a-Nova, with 131.76 km² and 1,160 inhabitants . Density: 8.8 hab/km². It was the principal town of the concelho between 1174 and the beginning of the 19th century.-Places:*Castelo de Monsanto...
and BOTP2 at São Jacinto; some troops were also garrisoned in the BETP at Tancos. The BRIPARA structure included:
- BOTP1: Paratrooper Battalion nº11, Anti-Tank Company, Signals Company
- BOTP2: Paratrooper Battalion nº21, Services and Support Operational Group, Heavy Mortar Company
- BETP: Paratrooper Battalion nº31, Aeroterrestrial Operational Group
Army integration
In 1993, further changes in the organization of airborne forces took place when the Defense Minister decided that the entire corps should leave the Portuguese Air Force and become part of the Portuguese ArmyPortuguese Army
The Portuguese Army is the ground branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in co-operation with other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the defence of Portugal...
. This meant also that the Commandos Regiment
Comandos
For the denomination of "commando" see commando; for the Argentine special operations unit see Amphibious Commandos Group; for other special forces with "Commando" in their names see list of special forces units....
would be disbanded and the commandos
Comandos
For the denomination of "commando" see commando; for the Argentine special operations unit see Amphibious Commandos Group; for other special forces with "Commando" in their names see list of special forces units....
that had taken the parachute course would be part of the new unit which was named BAI - Brigada Aerotransportada Independente (Independent Airborne Brigade).
The BETP then changed its name again to ETAT - Escola de Tropas Aerotransportadas (Airborne Troops School), the Paratrooper Corp changed to the Comando de Tropas Aerotransportas (Airborne Troops Command) and all three Paratrooper Battalions changed to Airborne Infantry Battalions (BIAT). This new Army Airborne Brigade was bigger and more powerful due to the previous Air Force Light Paratrooper Brigade; they had replaced heavy mortars with 105 mm artillery guns and were equipped with light armor vehicles.
In territorial terms the BOTP1 was closed and BOTP2 changed its name to the São Jacinto Military Area. The units of the brigade that were not at Tancos (Airborne Support Battalion) or São Jacinto (2nd BIAT) were now garrisoned at Army barracks (Regiments) like the 15th Infantry Regiment at Tomar
Tomar
Tomar Municipality has a total area of 351.0 km² and a total population of 43,007 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in Santarém District...
(1st BIAT), 3rd Infantry Regiment at Beja (3rd BIAT), 4th Artillery Regiment at Leiria (Grupo de Artilharia Aerotransportada – Airborne Artillery Group), 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Estremoz (Esquadrão de Reconhecimento Aerotransportado – Airborne Recon Squadron) and others. The BAI structure was:
- 15th Infantry Regiment: 1st BIAT, Services and Support Battalion
- São Jacinto Military Area: 2nd BIAT, Anti-Tank Company
- 3rd Infantry Regiment: 3rd BIAT
- 4th Artillery Regiment: Field Artillery Group
- ETAT: Aeroterrestrial Support Battalion
- Tancos Airfield: Signals Company
- Engineering Practical School: Engineering Company
- 3rd Cavalry Regiment: Recon Squadron
- 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment: Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery
Elite Forces Brigade
The last reorganization of the Army though, changed the ETAT designation again to ETP – Escola de Tropas Páraquedistas (School of Parachute Troops) with the BAI being renamed and reorganized as BRR – Brigada de Reacção RápidaPortuguese Rapid Reaction Brigade
The Brigada de Reacção Rápida , is a unit of the Portuguese Army which was known as BAI - Brigada Aerotransportada Independente until 2006...
. The Airborne Troops Command was disbanded. Currently, airborne forces are under direct control of regular army commands, such as Land Forces Operational Command (operational units) or the Instruction Command (ETP – Paratrooper School).
The Elite Forces brigade is no longer a full deployable brigade, but rather an organizational structure that controls all the special trained army units.
The 3rd Airborne Infantry Battalion and Anti-Tank Company were disbanded and the other two BIAT were renamed Paratrooper Infantry Battalions (BIParas), the São Jacinto Military Area was renamed 10th Infantry Regiment, the Airborne Artillery Group and the Services and Support Battalion were transferred to the Intervention Brigade and their no longer Airborne capable and the Engineering Company and the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery were reduced to platoon size.
This new Rapid Reaction Brigade
Portuguese Rapid Reaction Brigade
The Brigada de Reacção Rápida , is a unit of the Portuguese Army which was known as BAI - Brigada Aerotransportada Independente until 2006...
joined all remaining Paratrooper units together with Army Special Operations and the reborn battalion-size Army Comandos
Comandos
For the denomination of "commando" see commando; for the Argentine special operations unit see Amphibious Commandos Group; for other special forces with "Commando" in their names see list of special forces units....
unit.
Finally a newly formed unit has joined BRR: UALE (Army Light Aviation Unit), which is waiting to be equipped with NH-90 TTH and a still-to-be-chosen light utility helicopter, possibly the Eurocopter EC-135 or the AgustaWestland AW109.
BRR forces include:
- 15th Infantry Regiment: 1st BIPara
- 10th Infantry Regiment: 2nd BIPara
- ETP: Aeroterrestrial Battalion
- Commandos Troop Center: Commando Battalion
- Special Operations Troop Center: Special Operations Forces
- Army Light Aviation Unit: Army Helicopter Group, Signals Company
- 3rd Cavalry Regiment: Recon Squadron
- Engineering Practical School: Engineering Platoon
- 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment: Air Defence Platoon
General Conditions
- Be a volunteer
- Be a Portuguese citizen
- Be at least 18 years old and 24 at the most for enlisted ranks
- Be psychophysically and physically fit
- Minimum height is 1.60m for males and 1.56m for females
- Clean criminal registry
- Minimum school grade required is the 9th for enlisted, 12th for NCOs and a college degree to officers
Admission tests
- Medical exams
- Sensorial exams
- Psychiatric and physical exams
- Biographic questionnaire
- Psychological interview
- Physical tests
Formation Courses
- Basic Instruction.
- Complementary Instruction.
- Pathfinder Auxiliary Course.
- Parachute Maintenance Course.
- Air Supply Operator Course.
- Trainer of Military dogs.
Qualification Courses
- Parachute Course.
- Airborne Basic Course.
- Airborne Operations Course.
- Parachute Instructor Course.
- Free Fall Course.
- Operational Free Fall Course.
- Free Fall Instructor Course.
- Manual Jump Master Course.
- Pathfinder Course.
- Air Supply Instructor Course.
- Air Supply Inspector Course.
- Airborne Equipment Tecnic Course.
- Airborne Equipment and Parachutes Maintenance Course.
- Complementary Paratrooper Course (officers and sergeants).
- Complementary Paratrooper Course (soldiers).
ETP Organization
The ETP is made of the following units:- Instruction Battalion: responsible for the forming of paratroopers. (Recruitment, Parachute course, Combat course, etc)
- Aeroterrestrial Support BattalionAeroterrestrial Support BattalionThe Batalhão de Apoio Aeroterrestre , based at the ETP - Escola de Tropas Páraquedistas , in Tancos. It is a special and operational unit of the Rapid Reaction Brigade of the Portuguese Army...
:- Airborne Equipment Company
- Airborne Supplying Company
- Pathfinders Company
- Airborne Activity Center
- War Dogs Center
- Engineers Platoon
- Anti-aircraft artillery Platoon
- Heavy Mortars Platoon
- Anti-Tank Platoon
- Selection of Parachute Troops Center