# 1º Batalhão de Forças Especiais

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 American'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

| Name | Origin | Type |
| Glock 17 | Austria | Pistol |
| Glock 21 | Austria | Pistol |
| Heckler & Koch USP | Germany | Pistol |
| IMBEL M1911A1 | Brazil | Pistol |
| Taurus M975 | Brazil | Pistol |
| Taurus Mod.21 | Brazil | Pistol |
| Heckler & Koch VP70 | Germany | Machine Pistol |
| IMBEL ParaFAL | Brazil | Battle Rifle |
| Heckler & Koch G3A3 | Germany | Battle Rifle |
| IMBEL IA2 | Brazil | Assault Rifle |
| IMBEL MD97 | Brazil | Assault Rifle |
| Heckler & Koch G36C | Germany | Assault rifle |
| Heckler & Koch HK33A2 | Germany | Assault Rifle |
| Heckler & Koch HK417 | Germany | Assault rifle |
| HK53A5 | Germany | Assault Rifle |
| FAMAS F1 Commando | France | Assault Rifle |
| Colt M4 | United States | Assault rifle |
| Norinco Type 56 | China | Assault Rifle |
| Franchi SPAS-15 | Italy | Shotgun |
| Benelli M3 Super 90 | Italy | Shotgun |
| Benelli M4 Super 90 | Italy | Shotgun |
| Mossberg 500 Cruiser | United States | Shotgun |
| Remington 870 MK1 | United States | Shotgun |
| IMI Uzi | Israel | Submachine gun |
| IMI Micro Uzi | Israel | Submachine gun |
| Heckler & Koch MP5SD6 | Germany | Submachine gun |
| Heckler & Koch MP5KA4 | Germany | Submachine gun |
| Taurus M972 | Brazil | Submachine gun |
| FN Minimi Para MK3 | Belgium | Light machine gun |
| FN MAG | Belgium | General-purpose machine gun |
| HK21E | Germany | General-purpose machine Gun |
| Barrett M82A3 | United States | Anti-materiel sniper rifle |
| PGM Ultima Ratio | France | Anti-materiel sniper rifle |
| Heckler & Koch PSG1 | Germany | Sniper rifle |
| SIG Saue SSG 300 | Switzerland | Sniper Rifle |
| M24 Sniper Weapon System | United States | Sniper rifle |
| M110 SASS | United States | Sniper rifle |
| M79 grenade launcher | United States | Grenade Launcher |
| AT4 | Sweden | Rocket launcer |
| Carl Gustaf M3 | Sweden | Recoilless rifle |
| 60mm Commando Mortar | France | Mortar |
| L16 81mm mortar | United Kingdom | Mortar |
| Hydroar T1M1 | Brazil | Flame-thrower |