Pathfinders Company (Portugal)
Encyclopedia
The Companhia de Precursores Aeroterrestres (Pathfinders Company) is a special operations
unit of the Portuguese paratroopers. This unit is part of the Airborne Support Battalion which is based in Tancos
. Its specialty are high altitude mission insertions through the use of HAHO
and HALO jumps and reconnaissance of landing zones for other paratroopers to be dropped.
It is also an operational unit for the BRR - Brigada de Reacção Rápida
, one of the three brigades that make up the Portuguese Army
.
, of the ETP. It is a key element for aerial infiltration, through operational free fall (using HALO and HAHO
jumps), although the unit can be inserted by sea or ground transport.
This unit was practically unknown by the Portuguese society in general and even on the Portuguese Armed Forces
until very recently and is considered to be the elite of the Portuguese paratroopers. The Precs have participated in a variety of national and international exercises.
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
unit of the Portuguese paratroopers. This unit is part of the Airborne Support Battalion which is based in 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....
. Its specialty are high altitude mission insertions through the use of HAHO
Haho
Haho was the 2nd Mo'i of Maui. He was the titular chieftain or king of the island of Maui. He is believed to have succeed his father Paumakua...
and HALO jumps and reconnaissance of landing zones for other paratroopers to be dropped.
It is also an operational unit for the BRR - Brigada de Reacção Rápida
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...
, one of the three brigades that make up 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...
.
The Unit
The Companhia de Precursores (Pathfinders Company) also known by Precs is attached to the Airborne Support BattalionParachute Troops School
The ETP - Escola de Tropas Páraquedistas , 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...
, of the ETP. It is a key element for aerial infiltration, through operational free fall (using HALO and HAHO
Haho
Haho was the 2nd Mo'i of Maui. He was the titular chieftain or king of the island of Maui. He is believed to have succeed his father Paumakua...
jumps), although the unit can be inserted by sea or ground transport.
This unit was practically unknown by the Portuguese society in general and even on the Portuguese Armed Forces
Portuguese Armed Forces
The armed forces of Portugal, commonly known as the Portuguese Armed Forces encompasses a Navy , an Army and an Air Force...
until very recently and is considered to be the elite of the Portuguese paratroopers. The Precs have participated in a variety of national and international exercises.
The Mission
- Recon of Landings Zones for both fixed wing and rotor aircraft and airborne drop positions, while establishing the needed assistance to air traffic control navigation and communications, in hostile conditions.
- Limited direct action.
- Recon on any information required by airborne Command.