Portuguese Army

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The Portuguese Army (Portuguese:Exército Português) is the ground branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in cooperation with the other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the defence of Portugal.

1 History
2 Order of battle
- 2.1 Central structure
- 2.2 Base Units
3 Equipment
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] History

Portuguese troops heading for Angola, during World War I.

The history of the Portuguese Army is directly connected to the history of Portugal.

[edit] National defence

The land forces fought for Portuguese independence against the Leonese and the Moors in the 12th century, against the Castilian invaders in the 14th century, against the Spanish occupiers in the 17th century and against French invaders in the 19th century.

[edit] Foreign campaigns

Since the 15th century, the land forces have also participated in Portuguese foreign and overseas campaigns — in Africa, Asia, America, Oceania and Europe. In the 20th century, the Portuguese Army participated in World War I on the side of the Allies in the European western front and Africa. The army participated in overseas campaigns from 1961 to 1974, in Angola, Goa, Mozambique, Portuguese Guinea and Timor.

[edit] Peace missions

In the 21st century, the Portuguese Army has participated in several peace missions, including in Bosnia — currently one infantry battalion; and Afghanistan — currently a Comandos company. In December 2005, a Portuguese commando died in an incident in Afghanistan, when a bomb trap was detonated.

[edit] Order of battle

[edit] Central structure

The Operational Formations and Military Zones

The Portuguese Army is headed by the Army Chief of Staff and includes:

Army Staff;
Functional Commands:
- Training and Doutrine Command,
- Logistical Command,
- Personnel Command;
- Operational Command;
Operational Formations and Military Zones:
- Rapid Reaction Brigade
- Mechanized Brigade
- Intervention Brigade
- Military Zone of Azores,
- Military Zone of Madeira,
Main Military Schools:
- Military Academy,
- School of the Military Medical Service,
- Army Polytechnical School;

[edit] Base Units

The Portuguese Army Base Structure Units work as administrative bases responsible for the training and organization of the operational units of the army's formations, military zones and general support forces. For historical reasons most of the base units are called regiments and are associated with an arm of service. By arm of service, these units are:

Cavalry:
- School of Cavalry at Abrantes,
- 2nd Lancers Regiment at Lisbon,
- 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Estremoz,
- 4th Cavalry Regiment at Santa Margarida Military Camp,
- 6th Cavalry Regiment at Braga
Artillery:
- School of Artillery at Vendas Novas,
- 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment at Queluz,
- 4th Artillery Regiment at Leiria,
- 5th Artillery Regiment at Vila Nova de Gaia
Infantry:
- School of Infantry at Mafra,
- 1st Infantry Regiment at Carregueira,
- 3rd Infantry Regiment at Beja,
- 8th Infantry Regiment at Elvas,
- 10th Infantry Regiment at Aveiro
- 13th Infantry Regiment at Vila Real,
- 14th Infantry Regiment at Viseu,
- 15th Infantry Regiment at Tomar,
- 19th Infantry Regiment at Chaves
Engineers:
- School of Engineers at Tancos,
- 1st Engineers Regiment at Lisbon,
- 3rd Engineers Regiment at Espinho
Communications:
- School of Communications at Oporto,
- Communications Regiment at Lisbon
Medical Service:
- Medical Service Battalion at Coimbra
Military Administration (Logistical Service) and Transportation Service:
- School of Services at Póvoa de Varzim
- Transportation Service Battalion at Lisbon
Material Service:
- School of the Material Service at Entroncamento
Mixed:
- Special Operations Troops Center at Lamego,
- School of Parachute Troops at Tancos,
- Military Center of Electronics at Paço de Arcos,
- 1st Garrison Regiment at Angra do Heroismo,
- 2nd Garrison Regiment at Ponta Delgada,
- 3rd Garrison Regiment at Funchal,
- General Service Battalion at Sacavém,
- Intelligence and Military Security Center at Porto Brandão,
- Army Light Aviation Unit at Tancos,