Special Operations Command (Brazil)
The Brazilian Special Operations Command (Portuguese: Comando de Operações Especiais - C Op Esp) is a part of the Brazilian Army Commands, specifically the Land Army Command.[1] Headquartered in Central Brazil, in Goiânia, C OP ESP is positioned under the larger Planalto Military Command.[1] Specifically, it is linked to the Terrestrial Operations Command (COTER[1]). Its motto; "any mission, in any place, at any time, by every way",[2] perfectly sums up the capabilities of C Op Esp.
| Special Operations Command | |
|---|---|
| Comando de Operações Especiais | |
Coat of arms of the Special Operations Command | |
| Active | June 27, 2002 |
| Country | Brazil |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Direct action Airfield seizure Special reconnaissance Airborne & air assault operations Personnel recovery |
| Part of | Brazilian Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Goiás |
| Nickname(s) | C Op Esp |
| Commanders | |
| Current Commander | Brig.Gen. Mauro Sinott Lopes |
Creation of C Op Esp
C Op Esp traces its roots all the way back to 1957, when it was created as a parachute rescue group that conducted deep forest rescue operations.[3] Special operations were then disbanded for much of the 20th century, but in 2003, the Presidential Decree No. 4.289 created the Special Operations Brigade that Brazil employs today.[1] In 2013, the ordinance of Army Commander 142 changed the brigade's designation to Special Operations Command (C Op Esp).[1]
Missions and Capabilities
Today C Op Esp is a highly specialized and dynamic fighting force that operates all over Brazil. C Op Esp is trained in non conventional warfare, which means it is ready for any type of fight, against any fighting force.[4] C Op Esp is trained to deal with much larger forces, they typically operate in small teams.[4]
The C Op Esp uses a number of strategies to eliminate its enemies capabilities. Deploying its forces deep in enemy territory, including to the very rear of the enemy, is one of the many strategies C Op Esp employs.[4]
Some of C Op Esp's top level capabilities include; covert reconnaissance on the battlefield, the ability to perform search, destruction, neutralization and interdiction of targets of significant value, perform guided air strikes, rescue allies and high value targets, kidnap enemy personnel, and conduct operations classified as non conventional warfare.[4]
One of C Op Esp's most valuable capabilities is the ability to deter and destroy guerilla groups. C Op Esp has dealt with guerilla groups before, and is specially trained to move the group into a larger fighting force such as the Brazilian Army. This strategy in turn leads to the destruction of the guerrilla group.[4]
Another valuable capability that C Op Esp excels in is counterinsurgency and counterterrorism. Operations of this type include; rescuing hostages of any type, neutralization of explosives and other weapons used by terrorists, monitoring and spying on terrorist groups.[4]
The C Op Esp is the main arm of the Rapid Action Force which is supplemented by the following units: Brigade Parachute Infantry, 12th Light Infantry Brigade (Aeromovel) and the Army Aviation Squadron.[1] The Rapid Action Force is a national force, capable of operating in the Amazon as well as the Pampas in the south.[1] Equipped with the most technologically advanced equipment available to the Brazilian Military, the Rapid Action Force is proficient in land, water, and air operations.[1]
Recently, Brazilian Special Forces have taken part in domestic and international operations.[5][6] During the 2016 Rio Olympics, Brazilian Special forces provided security teams for events, and conducted covert operations in order to thwart any possible attacks on the games. These domestic operations were conducted by the special operations police force of the Brazilian Military.[5] Brazilian Special Forces also were integral in the defeat of para-military groups in Haiti.[6][7] Since the hurricane that devastated Haiti, the country (Haiti) has been unable to deal with paramilitary groups that have plagued their cities.[6] Brazilian Special Forces were an integral part of defeating these groups, while also providing peace keeping operations.[7] Special forces played a key role in the 2018 federal intervention. Troops collected arrests and deaths of criminals.
Structure
COpEsp is structured by the following subordinate units:[8]
- 1st Special Forces Battalion (1º BFEsp)
- 1st Commando Actions Battalion (1º BAC)
- 1st Battalion of Psychological Operations (1° BOpPsc)
- 3rd Special Forces Company (3ª Cia FEsp)
- Special Operations Support Battalion (B Ap OpEsp)
- Administrative Base of the Special Operations Command (B Adm COpEsp)
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Company (Cia DQBRN)
- 6th Army Police Platoon (6° Pel PE)
Equipment
| Name | Origin | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Glock 17 | Austria | Pistol |
| Heckler & Koch USP | Germany | Pistol |
| IMBEL IA2 | Brazil | Assault Rifle |
| Heckler & Koch G36C | Germany | Assault rifle |
| Heckler & Koch HK416 | Germany | Assault rifle |
| Heckler & Koch HK417 | Germany | Assault rifle |
| Colt M4 | United States | Assault rifle |
| Norinco Type 56[9] | China | Assault rifle |
| Franchi SPAS-15 | Italy | Shotgun |
| Benelli M4 Super 90 | Italy | Shotgun |
| Heckler & Koch MP5 | Germany | Submachine gun |
| FN Minimi | Belgium | Machine gun |
| FN MAG | Belgium | Machine gun |
| Barrett M82 | United States | Sniper rifle |
| Heckler & Koch PSG1 | Germany | Sniper rifle |
| SIG Sauer SSG 3000 | Switzerland | Sniper rifle |
| M24 Sniper Weapon System | United States | Sniper rifle |
| Remington MSR | United States | Sniper rifle |
| PGM Ultima Ratio | France | Sniper rifle |
| M203 grenade launcher | United States | Grenade launcher |
| Carl Gustav M3 | Sweden | Recoilless cannon |
| AT-4 | Sweden | Rocket launcher |
| Commando mortar | Brazil | Mortar |
| Flamethrower | Brazil | Flame-thrower |
Gallery
1st Commandos Battalion
1st Special Forces Battalion
1st Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Company
See also
External links
- Brazilian Ministry of Defense
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "COPESP - Institucional". www.copesp.eb.mil.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ "7th Special Forces train with Brazilian team". www.army.mil. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
- ^ . 2013-09-26. Archived from the original on 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b c d e f (PDF). July 16, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2011.
- ^ a b "Take a walk through Brazil's dangerous slums with the nation's elite police force". Business Insider. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ a b c "Brazil deployed nearly 5,000 people to assist Haiti after hurricane". BrazilGovNews. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ a b "Endgame for Brazil's Role in MINUSTAH?". Retrieved 2017-04-07.
- ^ "COPESP - Institucional". www.copesp.eb.mil.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ "BRASIL - B. Operações Especiais | PDF | Militar | Armas de projétil". Scribd. Retrieved 2023-03-03.