 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2013) |
| Portuguese Army Special Operations Troops Centre | |
|---|---|
| Portuguese: Centro de Tropas de Operações Especiais | |
| Active | 1960–present |
| Country |  Portugal |
| Branch | Portuguese Army |
| Type | Special forces Special operations |
| Role | Counter-terrorism, direct action, special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, long range patrols, hostage rescue |
| Size | Two companies |
| Part of | Rapid Reaction Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Lamego, Portugal |
| Nickname(s) | Rangers |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Que os muitos por ser poucos não temamos he Brave tho' few shall ne'er the Many fear (from The Lusiads, Canto VIII, 36, v. 7) |
| Website | https://www.exercito.pt/pt/recrutamento/tropas-especiais/opera%C3%A7%C3%B5es-especiais |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | Special Operations Qualification Badge |
The CTOE - Centro de Tropas de Operações Especiais (Special Operations Troops Centre), based in Lamego, is a unit of the Portuguese Army with the mission of instructing troops in unconventional warfare and counter-terrorism. Until 2006, it was known as CIOE - Centro de Instrução de Operações Especiais (Special Operations Instruction Centre).
The CTOE contains an operational unit called FOE - Força de Operações Especiais (Special Operations Force), popularly known as Rangers, tasked with performing Tier 1 missions like their counterparts such as US Army's Delta Force or British Special Air Service. Some of these missions include conducting long-range reconnaissance patrols, raids against high-value targets and enemy bases or hideouts, hostage rescue, covert operations, guerrilla warfare, locating enemy command and control centres, targeting and destruction of enemy air defences and radar systems, and POW rescue operations. The unit can be infiltrated by parachute, helicopter, small boat, or by foot.