The Puerto Rico Air National Guard 198th Fighter Squadron operated P-47s between 1947 and 1955. Originally, the post-war ANG units east of the Mississippi were to operate P-47's and those to the west were to fly P-51's.
The Puerto Rico Air National Guard came into existence as a result of the efforts led by Colonel Mihiel Gilormini also known as "El Gallo de Yauco", Colonel Alberto A. Nido and Lieutenant Colonel José Antonio Muñiz. On 26 October 1947, several officers were sworn as members of the nascent PRANG. On 23 November 1947, 18 officials and 33 national guardsmen were organized as the 198th Fighter Squadron under Cpt. Nido. The Squadron was assigned to the Isla Grande Airport and received its first combat aircraft the Republic P-47N Thunderbolt model and Douglas B-18 Bolo model.
