Assistant General of the National Guard, José Reyes, has announced that the country’s military corps will have a new hangar at Muñiz Air Base in Carolina.
During a press conference, the military leader indicated today that this year will begin the demolition of the old hangar 156 that will allow the construction of new facilities. The cost for the construction of the new structure is around $ 36 million. The current hangar 156 was built in 1956.
“After the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the National Guard suffered, like all of Puerto Rico, partial and total devastation of our buildings. As you can see, this is the first facility that is going to be remodeled and doing a new installation, “Reyes noted in a separate press release.
The ceremony – which was attended by the director of the National Air Guard, Michael Loh – was a ‘symbolic’ demolition of a cardboard model that simulated the old hangar 156. Then the military group unveiled a model in cardboard of what that could be the new hangar.
Reis also explained that, with the construction of these facilities, the Puerto Rico National Air Guard will be transformed to carry out three main missions: an emergency response contingency group, combat communications and missions. that would work in conjunction with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI) focused mostly on the fight against drug trafficking.
Reyes also commented that the construction of the new hangar could generate about 150 direct jobs and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2024.
While Loh was pleased with the National Guard’s response to the island amid emergencies such as the January and then March earthquakes with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also assured that the construction will modernize the facilities of the National Guard at Muñiz Air Base.
“The 156 hangar has a long history. I came here as director of the National Air Guard to oversee the 156 hangar and be present as they make their transition. The hurricane devastated the island but it also went destroy the airfield.The hangar 156 now has a plan around how these facilities will be modernized.Not only do I come here to make sure they have the resources for this construction, but also to be here for the transformation of unity, “Loh told reporters.