Rapid Reaction Brigade (Portugal)
The Brigada de Reacção Rápida is a unit of the Portuguese Army which was known as BAI - Brigada Aerotransportada Independente until 2006. Its different units are highly trained Paratroopers, Commandos and Special Operations Troops capable of responding to threats in any part of continental Portugal or any other Portuguese overseas territory with quick deployment by air, sea or land. This brigade is the most requested by the Portuguese Government to fulfill international assignments due to its experience and multi-role capability.
Portuguese Commandos in Afghanistan
Portuguese soldiers conduct Halo Jump during Saber Strike 18 in Latvia.
Field artillery unit of the Portuguese Army's Rapid Reaction Brigade of the 4th Artillery Regiment
Image: VAMTAC ST5 blindado Ejército español
The Portuguese Paratroopers are an elite infantry assault force, representing the bulk of the airborne forces of Portugal. They were created in 1956 as part of the Portuguese Air Force, being transferred to the Portuguese Army in 1993. Presently, most of the Paratroopers are part of the Portuguese Rapid Reaction Brigade which comprises all 3 special forces troops.
Portuguese Paratroopers during NATO Trident Juncture 2015 exercise
The first female paratrooper nurses and an instructor in 1961
Paratroopers being launched from an Alouette III helicopter in an air-mobile assault in Angola in the early 1960s
Paratroopers after conducting a high altitude low opening (HALO) jump in multinational airborne training (2018)
