From time to time I've read articles mentioning the Puerto Rico Wing. I took some time to write some details about Puerto Rico and the CAP. We are more than 1,000 nautical miles from the mainland but we do love CAP and adhere to customs courtesies and regulations much as any other wing in CONUS. http://www.prwg.us (http://www.prwg.us)
First of all, the Puerto Rico Wing (SER-PR-52) covers the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. PRWG is the only wing in CAP that includes two different U.S. jurisdictions under the same commander. Therefore the need to have two Legal Officers and two Legislative Liaisons. PRWG is under the Southeast Region.
Both PR and USVI are US territories subject to Congress. All federal laws and regulations apply to PR and VI. All residents become U.S. Citizens at birth. You do not need a passport to enter PR/USVI. English is the native language of VI, not in PR. 50% of US Citizens residing in PR speak English.
The PRWG was created back in 1949 as a result of the effort of Clara Livingston (for more information on Col Livingston go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDl3QaF-XzE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDl3QaF-XzE) Since its creation the CAP has had constant presence in the Caribbean.
As of today there are 36 squadrons under 5 groups (1000 members with a cadet/senior ratio of 2:1). There are three airplanes (one 182 and two 172) all parked in SIG San Juan. We run SAR/DR exercises on a monthly basis, CD trainings twice a year, summer encampments, ES School, Ranger School, AE activities, and yeah, we are the team to beat at NCC (current champions). We have a VERY ACTIVE CD program and we participate on 100% of SAR's.
If you are planning vacations in PR or happen to visit us on a work assignment, do not hesitate to contact me through this forum and we can make arrangements for you to participate in a local activity or even fly one of our airplanes (bring your Wing CC authorization). Best dinner in Old San Juan? Old Harbor Brewery http://www.oldharborbrewery.com (http://www.oldharborbrewery.com)
Sir a very intresting thing I learned when I went to the Bacardi factor, the drinking age is 18.
Quote from: colkemp on July 18, 2011, 03:50:22 AM
Sir a very intresting thing I learned when I went to the Bacardi factor, the drinking age is 18.
As it is in practically the rest of the world.
Just a point .....you said "PRWG is the only wing in CAP that includes two different U.S. jurisdictions "
I think National Capital Wing has units in the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Quote from: John Bryan on July 19, 2011, 07:03:14 PM
Just a point .....you said "PRWG is the only wing in CAP that includes two different U.S. jurisdictions "
I think National Capital Wing has units in the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Which would make his statement, technically, correct...as the DCWG does not include two different US jurisdictions, but three. ;D
According to two different sources, none of the NatCap squadrons meet nor are based in DC itself.
Oops, never mind. There's a unit at Bolling.
And the Delaware Wing, small as it may be, has a Squadron based in Cecil County Maryland.
I stand corrected. What I meant is that PRWG is composed of two whole jurisdictions (PR & VI) under one CC. Anyways, the point is that you are all welcome to visit us 8)
Quote from: jks19714 on July 19, 2011, 09:18:15 PM
And the Delaware Wing, small as it may be, has a Squadron based in Cecil County Maryland.
And Maryland Wing has a squadron that is (barely) in West Virginia.
Two squadrons located in Tahoe and Truckee, California, are assigned to Nevada Wing.
And while Puerto Rico wing includes the USVI. It's only unit in the Virgin Islands closed down recently becaause it couldn't sustain its membership.
There were two units in USVI: one in St. Thomas and the other in St. Croix. The unit that was closed is St. Thomas. St. Croix is still open and active. Members of the St. Thomas units are still active, but assigned to the St. Croix unit. And the reason for closing it was that, despite recruiting efforts, there were not enough volunteers in St. Thomas to join as Senior members (only one Senior for the whole unit). Now that the truth has been disclosed, lets move on. You too are welcome.
Quote from: Capination on July 22, 2011, 04:17:28 PM
The unit that was closed is St. Thomas. St. Croix is still open and active. Members of the St. Thomas units are still active, but assigned to the St. Croix unit. And the reason for closing it was that, despite recruiting efforts, there were not enough volunteers in St. Thomas to join as Senior members (only one Senior for the whole unit).
Without knowing the specifics of the recruiting effort, with a population of about 50K, St. Thomas should have been able to sustain a CAP unit. That is plenty large enough for a cadet squadron to have been sustainable (which should be possible in any town over 10-15K in size). A senior unit may have been a stretch depending on the population of pilots on the island.