Based on the provided source materials, Puerto Rico does not maintain a sovereign, independent air force. As a commonwealth of the United States, its military aviation assets are part of the U.S. National Guard and various paramilitary law enforcement agencies.
PUERTO RICO AVIATION • Air National Guard (PRANG)
Puerto Rico Personnel: Integrated with U.S. Armed Forces (approx. 104,850 total ANG personnel).
Forces by Role & Equipment by Type
(incl Paramilitary & National Guard units)
• AIRCRAFT No combat capable. Total 1+ Aircraft.
Tactical Transport / Contingency Support (PRANG - 156th Wing)
- (Following the retirement of the WC-130H "Weatherbird" fleet in 2019, the unit transitioned from weather reconnaissance to specialized support and contingency response missions).
• HELICOPTER No combat capable. Total + Helicopter.
Internal Security / Law Enforcement (Puerto Rico Police Department)
1 specialized unit with:
Capabilities & Role
Aviation operations in Puerto Rico are primarily conducted by the Puerto Rico Air National Guard (PRANG) and the Army National Guard, which serve as reserve components of the U.S. Air Force and Army. These units are dual-funded by the federal government and the territory, capable of being mobilized by the governor for domestic emergencies or by the federal government for overseas operations.
Historically, the 156th Wing (based at Muñiz Air National Guard Base) was known for its weather reconnaissance mission using the WC-130H; however, this fleet was retired in 2019 following a fatal crash, leading to a shift in the wing's operational focus. Local law enforcement and public safety are supported by the Puerto Rico Police Department, which maintains a rotary-wing capability centered on platforms like the Bell 412EP for surveillance and search and rescue (SAR) duties. Additionally, the island remains a strategic hub for U.S. Navy operations in the Caribbean, historically centered around facilities like Roosevelt Roads.
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Aviation
No regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard, Police Force.
Puerto Rico defence and foreign affairs:
Defense is the responsibility of the United States
Facilities:
The island has three international airports, the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, Mercedita Airport in Ponce, and the Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla, and 27 local airports. The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is the largest aerial transportation hub in the Caribbean, and one of the largest in the world in terms of passenger and cargo movement.
Note: The islands have 17 airports with paved runways (3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 5), 12 airports with unpaved runways ((12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 10).
4/5 Generation Fighters 
