The Special Actions Detachment (Portuguese: Destacamento de Ações Especiais) or DAE is a special forces unit of the Portuguese Navy. It is part of the Portuguese Marine Corps. Raised in 1985, the DAE is one of the smallest special forces units within the Portuguese Armed Forces. It is responsible for conducting air-sea rescue, amphibious reconnaissance, amphibious warfare, black operation, bomb disposal, CBRN defense, coastal raiding, counterterrorism, direct action, executive protection, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, ISTAR, long-range penetration, JTAC, manhunt high-value target, maritime sabotage, mountain rescue, naval boarding, operation behind high risk enemy lines, special operations, special reconnaissance, tracking targets, underwater demolition, unconventional warfare, other missions in support of Portuguese and NATO armed forces. DAE's mission and training are similar to their American counterparts DEVGRU and the British SBS. DAE often trains with them alongside other counter-terror units.[citation needed]
Organization
The unit is led by a commander, and is subdivided into a command cell and four combat teams. The command cell contains the unit commander, his deputy (a lieutenant commander) and a small staff of eight. The combat teams are composed of ten men: petty officers and seamen and a commanding petty officer.
The unit can operate, as a whole, organized as a Special Operation Maritime Task Unit (SOMTU). As a SOMTU, it can operate autonomously or, together with the Portuguese Army Special Operations Forces, as part of a joint Special Operation Task Group (SOTG). It can also operate, together with special forces of allied countries, as part of a combined SOTG.
Selection and training
DAE operatives are drawn from the ranks of marines, all having high operational experience. Due to the nature of its actions, candidate acceptance is extremely restrictive and selective. Only 5–10% of the applicants manage to join the unit.
Upon completion of the basic selection phase prospective recruits then begin the first phase of their training. Phase 1 of their training is conducted at the Navy's combat diver school. Students receive instruction in: basic combat diving techniques, EOD and underwater demolitions.
Candidates who successfully complete the first phase are assigned to the DAE on a probationary status, and begin their second phase of training. Phase 2 instruction includes courses on: escape and evasion techniques, advanced driving, mountaineering, offensive operations, parachuting training and basic English. Once a trainee is permanently assigned to the DAE he will continue to receive various courses of instruction throughout his career.
After this tough selection, COEMAR starts, which lasts 18 weeks and is divided into three phases:
Technical (7 weeks)
Combat (3 weeks)
Tactics (8 weeks)
During and after COEMAR, DAE's military personnel receive training in areas as varied as:
Abandonment of aircraft in immersion
Air assault
Air-sea rescue
Amphibious reconnaissance
Amphibious warfare
Artillery observer
Clandestine operation
Close-quarters combat
Cold-weather warfare
Combat diving (closed circuit)
Coastal patrolling
Commando style raid tactics
Counter ambush
Counter maritime sabotage
Counter sniper
Counterterrorism
Covert operation
Defusing and disposal of bombs, land mines, and unexploded ordnance
Demolitions, mines and traps
Desert warfare
Driving tactical vehicles
Executive protection
Exfil
Fast combat shooting
Forward air control
Hand and Arm Signals
Hand-to-hand combat
Helocasting
Hostage rescue
HUMINT
IED disarmament
Inactivation of conventional explosive devices – land branch
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