The 1º Batalhão de Forças Especiais (1º B F Esp) (English: 1st Special Forces Battalion), also named António Dias Cardoso Battalion, is a special forces unit of the Brazilian Army.
History
The Battalion was initially formed in 1957 as a jungle rescue unit. However, in 1968 it was reorganized as a special forces unit. In 1983 the unit was expanded and placed under the parachute infantry brigade structure.
In 1991, elements of the 1st BFEsp along with participated in Operation Traira, an action taken by the Brazilian Army in response to an attack made in February by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia against a semi-permanent army position in the Taraíra River. BFEsp soldiers killed seven FARC soldiers, imprisoned an unspecified amount and recovered military equipment stolen during the original February 1991 ambush.
In November 1991, this operation was followed by operation Perro Loco, intended to dissuade FARC activity on the Brazilian side of the border.
During MINUSTAH, a force of around 20 men from the 1st Special Forces Battalion and 1st Commando Actions Battalion made up the Destacamento de Operações de Paz (Peace Operations Detachment) or Dopaz, a special operations unit responsible for high-risk missions such as special reconnaissance and direct action against leaderships of Haitian gangs, as well as leading the UN raids on neighborhoods such as Bel Air, Cité Militaire and Cité Soleil from 2005 to 2007. According to Brazilian SF General Sergio Schwingel, Dopaz's role in Haiti led to the UN creating a doctrine for the usage of special forces in peacekeeping operations worldwide.
Role
The Battalion's mission is similar to that of the Green Beret units; however, because they have the CT mission, they have modified their organization to more closely follow Britain's Special Air Service and America's Delta Force. The SF Battalion falls within the Army's Special Operations Command and is located in Goiânia.
The battalion is capable of conducting its missions independently from or in conjunction with conventional forces. Battalion troops are trained in jungle warfare at the Army's CIGS jungle warfare school and in amphibious, mountain warfare, airborne, airmobile and HAHO/HALO operations. They are also prepared for long-range reconnaissance in addition to their CT operations.
Equipment NameOriginTypeGlock 17PistolGlock 21PistolHeckler & Koch USPPistolIMBEL M1911A1PistolTaurus M975PistolTaurus Mod.21PistolHeckler & Koch VP70Machine pistolIMBEL ParaFALBattle rifleHeckler & Koch G3A3Battle rifleIMBEL IA2Assault rifleIMBEL MD97Assault rifleHeckler & Koch G36CCarbineHeckler & Koch 416Assault rifleHeckler & Koch HK33A2Assault rifleHeckler & Koch HK417Battle rifle/DMRHK53A5Assault rifleFAMAS F1 CommandoAssault rifleColt M4CarbineNorinco Type 56Assault rifleFranchi SPAS-15ShotgunBenelli M3 Super 90ShotgunBenelli M4 Super 90ShotgunMossberg 500 CruiserShotgunRemington 870 MK1ShotgunIMI UziSubmachine gunIMI Micro UziSubmachine gunHeckler & Koch MP5SD6 Submachine gunHeckler & Koch MP5KA4Submachine gunTaurus M972Submachine gunFN Minimi Para MK3Light machine gunFN MAGGeneral-purpose machine gunHK21EGeneral-purpose machine gunBarrett M82A3Anti-materiel sniper riflePGM Ultima RatioAnti-materiel sniper rifleHeckler & Koch PSG1Sniper rifleSIG Saue SSG 3000Sniper rifleRemington MSRSniper rifleM24 Sniper Weapon SystemSniper rifleM110 SASSSniper rifleM79 grenade launcherGrenade launcherAT4Rocket launcherCarl Gustaf M3Recoilless rifle60mm Commando MortarMortarL16 81mm mortarMortarHydroar T1M1Flame-thrower
References
External links Special Operations