1st Air Base Group

1st Air Base Group - Puerto Rico State Guard
	1st Air Base Group Coat of Arms
Active	1970–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Constitution of Puerto Rico
Type	State Defense Force
Role	Military Support to Civil Authorities
Size	Authorized Maximum Strength of 585 state guard airmen
Part of	Puerto Rico National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico
Commanders
Current; commander	Col José E. Picó-Del Rosario
Ceremonial chief	Alejandro García Padilla

The 1st Air Base Group of the Puerto Rico State Guard (1ABG-PRSG) — is the main unit of the Air State Defense Force of the Military Forces of Puerto Rico that operates under the sole authority of the governor of Puerto Rico who, in turn, delegates such authority to the Puerto Rico Adjutant General and to the Commanding General of the Puerto Rico State Guard.

History[]

In 1970, BG Roberto Vargas, PR Air National Guard (PRANG) Commander and Mrs. Carmen Colbert organized the 1st Air Base Group with a similar structure to that of the 156th Wing units. At that time the 1ABG were composed by 25 officers and 4 enlisted personnel.
1970: BG Mihel Ghilormini was commissioned by BG Vargas to command the 1ABG.
1982, Col Roberto Montes, PRANG Commander, started a recruiting effort to manned the PR Air State Guard cadre organization in support of the 156th unit.
1986: Col(Ret) Miguel Martoranni, former Air Force pilot, became the commander of the 1ABG.
1988: Col(Ret) Dennis López, former 156th Commander, commanded the 1ABG.
1992: Col(PR) John J. Gonzalez, was named commander of 1ABG. He had prior service with the US Air Force and US Navy.
2004: Col(PR) Orlando Olivera, was named 1abg commander. Col Olivera served in the US Army Reserve
2010: Col(PR) José E. Picó-Del Rosario, was named 1ABG commander by BG(PR) Hector Sorrentini.

1st Air Base Group Banner

The 1st Air Base Group of the 21st Century[]

It is noteworthy that, along with Texas, California and New York, the Puerto Rico State Guard is one of the few SDF's that has an Air Division that embrace the Air Force culture. The 1st Air Base Group, located at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, is an excellent example of integration and teamwork with the PRANG units, especially with the 156th Airlift Wing. The 1st Air Base Group is composed of:

Headquarters Squadron (Unit 700)
Logistic Squadron (Unit 701)
- Transportation Flight
- Supply Flight
- Aerial Port Flight
Medical Squadron (Unit 702)
Mission Support Squadron (Unit 703)
- Engineering Flight
- Services Flight
- Personnel Flight
- Security Forces Flight
- Fire Fighter Flight

Currently, the 1ABG is in the process of recruiting and organizing two support units for the 140th Air Defense Squadron in Aguadilla and the 141st Air Control Squadron in Punta Salinas. All 1st Air Base Group units are organized to meet the military training requirements necessary to take over the Puerto Rico Air National Guard installations upon mobilization and deployment of their units.

The 1st Air Base Group training is conducted in accordance with USAF regulations, which supplements the PRSG and PRNG regulations, directives and guidance. Unit Training Assemblies (UTA’s) are performed jointly with PRANG’s 156th AW in a consolidated drill concept. These trainings are performed jointly with 156th AW personnel. It allows 1ABG personnel to acquire hands-on experience of what their duty will be if PRANG units are mobilize and deployed. It also gives them the opportunity to be trained by their counterpart in their specialty and get the feeling of a real life scenario, while getting ready for it. These drills are performed concurrently with 156th AW UTA schedule.

All 1st Air Base Group units and members attend consolidated drills. This form of UTA’s is used to:

Maintain lines of communication among all units
Conduct general military training ans OJT with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard counterparts
Conduct Emergency Management training under FEMA Guidelines and the SGAUS's Military Emergency Management Specialist Academy
Conduct promotion and award ceremonies and other special events
General inspections
Practice drills and ceremonies
Maintain Unit Integrity

Duties[]

Operational Support to the 156 AW units (Mission Support Squadron (Engineering Flight, Services Flight, Personnel Flight, Security Forces Flight and Fire Fighter Flight),a Medical Squadron, and a Logistic Squadron (Transportation Flight, Supply Flight and an Aerial Port Flight))
Military Emergency Management Specialists and Assists local civil authorities and Volunteer coordination during emergencies
Medical Services (Doctors, Nurses, Mental Health & Paramedics)
Legal Support (attorneys & paralegals)
Chaplain Services

The PRSG is the state’s authorized militia and assumes the state mission of the Puerto Rico National Guard in the event the National Guard is mobilized. Unlike the Civil Air Patrol or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the PRSG is a statutory military entity of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with each PRSG member subject to parts of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) per the Military Code of Puerto Rico. PRSG ranks are official State military ranks but not Federal ranks. All appointments, commissions, warrants, and enlistments are recognized and authorized by the Governor of Puerto Rico through the Adjutant General of PR. The PRSG military personnel render to all members of the military community, and receive from them, all courtesies common to all such members, such as saluting, and forms of address.

Uniform[]

As approved by the Puerto Rico Adjutant General, the military uniforms worn by the 1st Air Base Group personnel are a variation of the U.S. Air Force's Airman Battle Uniform, the USAF's Service Dress Uniform and the USAF's Mess Dress. 1st Air Base Group members must use the PRSG AIR FORCE distinctive marking on those authorized uniforms. All units commanders will ensure that all members, individually and collectively, present a professional, well-groomed appearance, which will reflect credit upon PRSG Air Force as the State Command of the Puerto Rico National Guard. The following Military and USAF Style Specialty Badges are authorized to professional members of the 1st Air Base Group:

Military Emergency Management Specialist (Basic, Senior or Master)
Civil Engineering Badge (Basic, Senior or Master)
Medical Corps Badge (Basic, Senior or Master)
Dental Corps Badge (Basic, Senior or Master)

Nurse Corps Badge (Basic, Senior or Master)
Chaplain (Christian) Badge
Judge Advocate Badge
Security Forces Badge & Flash
Fire Fighter Badge

As a regulation governing the use of those Specialty Badges, the 1ABG published the Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP) Policy Manual. The CFETP provides information for the Civil Engineer, Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Nurse Corps, Chaplain, Judge Advocate, Emergency Managers, Security Forces and Fire Protection occupational series. That plan outlines desired training, education, and experience to chart and execute a career in those career fields--from entry-level officer/NCO through squadron commander. The CFETP also provides officers, supervisors, and commanders a means to jointly plan and program training and education opportunities. Each officer and NCO should use The CFETP to work with supervisors and commanders to determine appropriate levels and timing of education and training, and ensure they have every opportunity to attend continual education courses. Every officer or NCO should take the initiative to determine realistic milestones for achieving their goals. Completion of education, training, and experience is a joint responsibility between the officer, their supervisor, and the commander.

Training[]

In January 2014, the 1st Air Base Group published the 1ABG Airman Manual. This manual has been created to assist 1ABG airmen in their military career. It is intended to provide quick guidance to the customs, courtesies, and basic knowledge of the United States Air Force (USAF) and life in the PRSG Air Force. Whether the member have prior military experience, or no military experience, this guide sets forth the basic military principles and policies required of an airman. The contents of this publication are a compilation of materials from military manuals and guides and is designed to serve as a guide to all members of the 1st Air Base Group-Puerto Rico Air Sate Guard. This manual is intended to be used as an orientation resource for new members and a reference document for all personnel. The 1ABG Airman Manual includes the following chapters:

PRSG History, Legal Definition & Capabilities
PRNG & USAF History
1ABG History & Organization
Military Uniforms & Ranks
Customs, Courtesies & Protocols
Drill & Ceremonies
Airman's Basic Skills
Military Emergency Management
Annexes:
- PRSG Regulations 600-100 (Officers Program Regulation)
- PRSG Regulations 600-200 (Enlisted & NCO Program Regulation)
- PRSG 1ABG Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP) Policy Manual
- National Guard Bureau Regulation 10-4

Also, all 1st Air Base Group personnel participate in the PRSG Military Academy specialized and general trainings:

Basic Military Training (Non Prior Service Leadership Course)
Basic and Advanced Non Commissioned Officer Training (Basic NCO Leaders Course, Advance NCO Leaders Course, and First Sergeant School)
Basic and Advanced Officer Training (Basic Officer Leaders Course & Advance Officer Leaders Course)
Basic Military Marksmanship Course
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) given in concert with FEMA/DHS
Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) Certification

Unit Page[]

1st Air Base Group Facebook site: The site features information on the history and operational mission of the 1st Air Base Group

References[]

PRSG Regulation 600-100 & PRSG Regulation 600-200
State Defense Forces State defense force

External links[]

National Guard Regulation 10-4, "National Guard Interaction With State Defense Forces", 2011.
U.S. Army War College Paper "State Defense Forces and Homeland Security"; Arthus Tulak, Robert Kraft, and Don Silbaugh, 2004.
DoD Report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on Homeland Defense Force for Homeland Defense and Homeland Security Missions, November 2005 HR Report 108-491.
"US State Defense Forces". http://www.dcdf.us/ussdf.html. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
American Legion Magazine "A well-regulated militia," 2008.

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