Pathfinders Company (Portugal)

The Air-Land Pathfinders Company (Portuguese: Companhia de Precursores Aeroterrestres) - known as the Precs - is a special reconnaissance unit of the Portuguese Paratroopers. This unit is part of the Airborne Support Battalion which is based in Tancos. Its specialty is high altitude mission insertions through the use of HAHO and HALO jumps and reconnaissance of landing zones for other paratroopers to be dropped.

Air-Land Pathfinders Company
Portuguese: Companhia de Precursores Aeroterrestres
ActiveUnknown – Present day
CountryPortugal
AllegiancePortuguese Army
BranchParatroopers
TypeSpecial Operations Forces (SOF-type)
RoleReconnaissance and limited direct action
Size60 elements (1 company)
Part ofPortuguese Rapid Reaction Brigade
Nickname(s)Precs
Motto(s)Deixa arder em ti a chama de ser Prec
Let burn in you the flame of being Prec

It is also an operational unit for the Portuguese Rapid Reaction Brigade (BRR), one of the three brigades that make up the Portuguese Army.

The Unit
Portuguese Pathfinder with Italian Paratroopers.

The Pathfinders Company 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.

Organization

The Pathfinders Company is commanded by a major and includes:

  1. Headquarters;
  2. Pathfinder Detachment Alpha - includes 16 elements (1 captain, 5 sergeants, and 10 other ranks), being qualified to do HALO and HAHO jumps;
  3. Pathfinder Detachment Bravo - includes 16 elements (1 lieutenant or 2nd lieutenant, 5 sergeants, and 10 other ranks).

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.

See also
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