Puerto Rico
|
reliability 2
(Good)
GDP ~$85-billion
(2009)
Defense
is the responsibility of the United States. |
|
Puerto Rico is
technically a commonwealth in association with the US; it has its own flag,
constitution, and Olympic team.
US military
HQ Fort Buchanan
Puerto Rico is
strategically important to the US as a gateway to Central and South America.
Its importance has increased since the US departed Panama. About 3,000 US
personnel are permanently based in Puerto Rico at 5 bases, 3 of which are
used by the Puerto Rico National Guard. Major Guard/Army Reserve units are:
Air National
Guard 156th Wing
Puerto Rico Army
National Guard
92nd
Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) (Separate) (HQ Juana Diaz)
HHC
1-65 Infantry
Regiment (Air Assault)
HHC
Company A
Company B
(Guayama)
Company C
(Coamo)
Company C Fwd
(Ft Buchanan)
Company D
1-295 Infantry
Regiment (Air Assault) (HQ
Caguas)
HHC
Company A
(Utuado)
Company B
(Ceiba)
Company C
(Juncos)
Company D
(Gurabo)
1-296 Infantry
Regiment (Air Assault) (HQ
Mayaguez)
HHC
Company A (San
German)
Company B
(Sabana Grande)
Company C (Cabo
Rojo)
Company D
2-162nd Field
Artillery (Hato Rey)
HHSB 2-162
A Btry 2-162 FA
B Btry 2-162 FA
(105mm Towed)
C Btry 2-162 FA
1-192nd Support
Battalion (HQ Gurabo)
292nd MI Co SIB - San Juan
E-192nd Cavalry
- Salinas
892nd Engineer
Co - Humacao
201st Regional Training Institute
192nd Aviation Battalion Command
US Army Reserve
65th Army Reserve Command
US DOD Units
1st MSC
2/348th Theater
Support Brigade
Navy Reserve
Army & Air Force
Exchange Service (AAFES)
Commissary
DDESS
Defense Military
Pay Office
Educational &
Developmental Intervention Services
Criminal
Investigation Division
Rodriguez Army
Health Clinic
Veterinary
Services
Civilian
Personnel Advisory Center
Contracting
Office
U.S. Property &
Fiscal Office (Puerto Rico National Guard)
Police
State police
number approximately 10,000
Opposition
There are
several parties committed to independence; conceivably they could prevail
some day, though the Commonwealth has the advantage of full rights of US
citizens including social security, but excluding voting in US elections.
Though pro-independence parties largely eschew violence, there have been
some acts justified by pro-independence groups as furthering their cause.