Pathfinders Company (Portugal)

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.

The Unit
The Companhia de Precursores (Pathfinders Company) also known by Precs is attached to the Airborne Support Battalion, 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.

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.