Rapid Reaction Brigade (Portugal)

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. 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, thus giving the unit increased firepower, 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 to several locations in Europe and East-Timor. 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 were transferred to the Portuguese Intervention Brigade (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.

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 Army Light Aviation Unit trains, maintains and sustains the brigade's Staff Company, Signals Company, and Helicopter Group, but itself is not an operational unit and not part of the brigade during wartime.

• Rapid Reaction Brigade (Brigada de Reação Rápida), in Tancos[1]
  • Command and Service Company, Army Light Aviation Unit, in Tancos
  • Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment (Regimento de Cavalaria Nº 3) in Estremoz
  • 1st Parachute Infantry Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment (Regimento de Infantaria Nº 15), in Tomar
  • 2nd Parachute Infantry Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment (Regimento de Infantaria Nº 10), in São Jacinto
  • Commando Battalion, Commando Regiment (Regimento de Comandos) in Belas[2]
  • Special Operations Force, Special Operations Troops Centre (Centro de Tropas de Operações Especiais), in Lamego[3]
  • Field Artillery Group, 4th Artillery Regiment (Regimento de Artilharia Nº 4), in Leiria with L118 105mm howitzers
  • Army Helicopter Group, Army Light Aviation Unit (Unidade de Aviação Ligeira do Exército),[4] in Tancos currently without helicopters
  • Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery, 1st Anti-Air Artillery Regiment (Regimento de Artilharia Anti-Aérea Nº 1) in Queluz with Stinger surface-to-air missiles
  • Engineer Company, 1st Engineer Regiment (Regimento de Engenharia Nº 1), in Tancos
  • Signal Company, Army Light Aviation Unit, in Tancos
  • Aeroterrestrial Support Battalion, Paratroopers Regiment (Regimento de Paraquedistas), in Tancos[5]