National Guard Units

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Puerto Rico Air National Guard came into existence as a result of the efforts led by Colonel Mihiel Gilormini also known as 'El Gallo de Yauco', Colonel Alberto A. Nido and Lieutenant Colonel José Antonio Muñiz. On 26 October 1947, several officers were sworn as members of the nascent PRANG. On 23 November 1947, 18 officials and 33 national guardsmen were organized as a unit under Cpt. Nido. The unit was assigned to the Isla Grande Airport and received its first combat aircraft of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt model and Douglas B-18 Bolo model. The new PRANG was subdivided into four units. The entity was also assigned the 156th Tactical Combat Group, a medical unit. In November 1950, the 198th was activated during the Jayuya Uprising, remaining in action for 11 days, conducting aerial assaults on U.S. citizens in the municipalities of Utuado and Jayuya, as well as conducting reconnaissance and transporting supplies. In 1954 the PRANG received its first T-33 planes and the following year it received F-86 jets. Aboard these jets, several members of the 198th's Flying Buccaneers broke the sound barrier, including Col. Alberto Nido, Com. Mihiel Gilormini, First Lt. Peter Kryzanowski and Second Lt. José Bloise. In a subsequent inspection of Ramey, a group of eleven generals led by Gen. George Finch of the 14th Air Force, noted the progress of the 198th in five years. Sgt. Eugenio Betancourt and Sgt. Rafael Altieri were decorated during this visit, receiving medals donated by the Legislature of Puerto Rico for outstanding service during the year. In 1956, it was relocated at the Isla Verde Airport. After serving during the Korean War, José Muñiz was placed in charge of the 198th Combat Squadron, a function that he performed until his death on 5 July 1960. During this year, the PRANG was activated to provide assistance to the government during a series of floods that affected the east coast of Puerto Rico. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, all pilots were placed on alert and waiting for orders while the crisis was solved in the adjacent island. In 1963, the PRANG participated in the search for Mercury Astronaut Scott Carpenter following his first orbital flight, which the 140th Radar Squadron accomplished under Col. Fred Brown. The following year, personnel and supplies were sent to the Dominican Republic in response to the Dominican Civil War. Beginning in 1964, the unit was assigned the tactical combat and surveillance of the Puerto Rico air space. The 198th Tactical Combat Squadron was placed under Commander Jan Johnson, receiving F-86E, F-86D, F-86H and F-104 models in 1967. This same year, its home base was renamed after Lt. Col. José Muñiz and the PRANG also trained personnel for three groups IOC the Venezuelan Air Force. The entity recruited poor children, hosting a camp for that population in 1970. That same year, the 156th was given an award as the most prominent medical unit in all of the USNG system. One of P-47 Thunderbolts was restored for flight in 1972. Towards the year's end, the PRANG was sent with supplies for the victims of the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake. In 1974, the unit was sent to Honduras following the passing of Hurricane Fifi–Orlene. The following year, the PRANG was sent to respond to the 1976 Guatemala earthquake. In 1976, the 198th received an A-7D Corsair. In 1976, the unit's double task was modified. By 1977, the same year that the PRANG celebrated its 30th anniversary, the 140th Radar Squadron was operating additional detachments at Ramey Air Force Base. Gilormini was promoted to brigadier general and served as commander until his retirement in 1975. Colonel Nido was promoted to brigadier general and served at National Guard Headquarters as Chief of Staff for Air. Brigadier General Jose M. Portela, the youngest C-141 Starlifter aircraft commander and captain, the only reservist ever to serve as director of mobility forces for Bosnia, served as commander of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard from 11 January 2005 to November 2006. The tactical aviation element of PRANG operates as the 156th Airlift Wing, 198th Airlift Squadron, flying C-130E aircraft. They operate out of Muñiz Air National Guard Base, located within the grounds of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. In the past, they have operated P-47 Thunderbolts, C-47 Skytrains, C-45, T-6 Texan, B-26 Invader, L-5 Sentinel, T-33 Shooting Star, F-86D, F-86E, and F-86H Sabre Jets, F-104 Starfighters, C-54, T-29, C-131, U-3, O-2, A-7D Corsair II, F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-26, and C-130 Hercules type aircraft. Phasing out the F-16s left Puerto Rico with no air-to-air defense assets. In August 2016, the 156th was recognized. In 2019 in the wake of a WC-130H crash that took the lives of all nine airman the National Guard Bureau took the flying mission from the 156th Airlift Wing redesignating it the 156th Wing leaving it with no assigned aircraft.

In Their Own Story

Rain slicked the asphalt as Sergeant Miller checked his radio for the third time. Static was the only answer from Command. Behind him, a line of Humvees formed the last barrier against the city. 'Hold the line,' he whispered to himself, though the order felt hollow now. The horde crested the hill ahead, a sea of grey and green moving with unnatural speed. Muzzle flashes lit up the fog as his squad opened fire, but the noise only drew more from the shadows.

Reader's Guide

Under the 'Total Force' concept, Puerto Rico Air National Guard units are considered to be Air Reserve Components (ARC) of the United States Air Force (USAF). Puerto Rico ANG units are trained and equipped by the Air Force and are operationally gained by a major command of the USAF if federalized. In addition, the Puerto Rico Air National Guard forces are assigned to Air Expeditionary Forces and are subject to deployment tasking orders along with their active duty and Air Force Reserve counterparts in their assigned cycle deployment window. Along with their federal reserve obligations, as commonwealth militia units the elements of the Puerto Rico ANG are subject to being activated by order of the governor to provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. Commonwealth missions include disaster relief in times of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and forest fires, search and rescue, protection of vital public services, and support to civil defense. The Puerto Rico Air National Guard consists of the following major unit: 156th Wing, established 23 November 1947 (as: 198th Fighter Squadron), stationed at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, gained by Air Mobility Command. Support units include the 141st Air Control Squadron at Punta Borinquen Radar Station in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, which during exercises, contingencies, or actual war provides meteorological support and deploys with, advises, and assists the ground force commander in planning, requesting, coordinating and controlling close air support, tactical air reconnaissance, and tactical airlift. The 140th Air Defense Squadron at Punta Salinas Air National Guard Station in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, works with a variety of satellites and systems to provide individuals in the field with real-time space situational awareness.

Did You Know?

• The PRANG began as four units and expanded to 11 units by the 1980s.
• In November 1950, the 198th was activated during the Jayuya Uprising, conducting aerial assaults on U.S. citizens in Utuado and Jayuya.
• Several members of the 198th's Flying Buccaneers broke the sound barrier, including Col. Alberto Nido and Com. Mihiel Gilormini.
• In 1963, the PRANG participated in the search for Mercury Astronaut Scott Carpenter following his first orbital flight.
• In 2019, after a WC-130H crash that killed all nine airmen, the National Guard Bureau took the flying mission from the 156th Airlift Wing, redesignating it the 156th Wing with no assigned aircraft.