Later, Paratrooper Special Groups or GEP (Grupos Especiais Paraquedistas) were formed, these being units able to conduct airborne operations.

The GE were made up of local volunteers from African tribes, trained and led by senior Portuguese Army NCOs and officers and some Rhodesian veterans from the Second World War.

A few Rhodesian veterans of the Second World War were tasked with the training, like Squadron Leader (retd) Francis Nicholson of the No.

Also involved in training and advisory roles were serving Rhodesian Police officers, Senior Sergeant Prosper Ndabingi, Senior Sergeant William Nkomo, Staff Lance Section Officer Piet Cronje and Chief Inspector Richard Davis of the British South Africa Police.

The GEP wore the Portuguese Air Force paratroopers camouflaged uniform and a Maroon beret.

The GEP was the first Portuguese military force to use a red beret, prior to the commandos who only officially adopted its use in 1974.