Fort Allen (Puerto Rico) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fort Allen
Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico
An October 30, 2004 USGS aerial view looking northwest at the site of Losey AAF
Losey AAF
Coordinates	18°00′32″N 066°30′22″W / 18.00889°N 66.50611°W / 18.00889; -66.50611
Type	Military Base
Site information
Controlled by	Puerto Rico National Guard
Site history
Built	1941
In use	1941-present
Garrison information
Garrison	35th Signal Battalion 191st Regional Support Group

Fort Allen, officially known as the Fort Allen Training Center, is a military base in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico. It is used by the Puerto Rico National Guard. This large facility covers about 921 acres (373 hectares) of land.

History of Fort Allen

Losey Field
Part of Sixth Air Force
Type	Military airfield
Site information
Controlled by	United States Army Air Forces
Site history
In use	1941-1944

Fort Allen has a long and interesting history. It started as an airfield called Losey Field in 1941. The United States Army Air Corps built it during World War II. It was named after Captain Robert M. Losey, who was the first U.S. military person to die in World War II.

During the war, different fighter and bomber planes used Losey Field. These planes helped protect the area. After 1944, the airfield was no longer needed for planes. It was then used by Army ground forces.

Key Dates in Fort Allen's History

• 1949: Losey Army Airfield became Camp Losey. It was now used by the United States Army.
• 1950: Camp Losey was renamed Fort Allen.
• 1959: The base was transferred to the Army's Caribbean Signal Agency. This group worked with military communications.
• 1963: The United States Navy took over the base. They called it Naval Radio Station Fort Allen.
• 1970: The Navy's main communication center in Puerto Rico moved to Fort Allen.
• 1980: The Navy moved its communication center from Fort Allen to another base. On November 16, 1980, Fort Allen became the home of the United States Army Reserve's 35th Signal Battalion.
• 1981: The U.S. government used Fort Allen as a center for refugees. This was for people from Cuba and Haiti.
• 1983: Fort Allen was officially given to the Puerto Rico National Guard. Some U.S. Army Reserve units still stayed there.
• 1985: The Puerto Rico National Guard Language Center moved to Fort Allen. This center helps soldiers learn new languages.
• 1997: The U.S. Navy built a special radar system at Fort Allen. This system helps monitor flights.
• 1999: The National Guard Youth Challenge Program started at the base. This program helps young people.
• 2007: Soldiers from the 35th Signal Battalion were sent from Fort Allen. They supported military operations overseas.
• 2011: A new building called the Armed Forces Reserve Center opened. It was named after Major General Salvador Padilla Escabi. He was a leader in the Puerto Rico National Guard.

Fort Allen Today

Today, Fort Allen is still a federal property. However, the Puerto Rico National Guard manages it. There are no regular active-duty military people living there. But, the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve have permanent staff.

The main goal of Fort Allen is to provide training and support. It helps the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and Army Reserve units. These units are located in the southern part of Puerto Rico. There is no large grocery store for military families. But, there is a small shop called a PX for authorized people.

Units at Fort Allen

Fort Allen is home to several important military units:

• Army National Guard
  • 191st Regional Support Group
  • 240th Military Police Company (helps with law enforcement)
  • 192nd Support Battalion, C Company (Med) (provides medical support)
  • 105th Quartermaster Company (handles supplies and equipment)
  • 482nd Chemical Company (deals with chemical defense)
  • 714th Quartermaster Company

LTC Hernan G Pesquera U.S. Army Reserve Center

This center is part of Fort Allen. It is named after Lieutenant Colonel Hernan G. Pesquera. He was an Army Reserve officer and a federal judge. This facility covers about 40 acres (16 hectares).

Units located here include:

• United States Army Reserve
  • 35th Expeditionary Signal Battalion Headquarters
  • 204 Transportation MDM Truck Company (moves supplies)
  • 276th Maintenance Support Company (repairs equipment)

Armed Forces Reserve Center

A modern Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC) opened at Fort Allen in 2011. This large building is about 55,037 square feet (5,113 square meters). It provides space for different U.S. Army Reserve units. It also houses the Puerto Rico Army National Guard's 201st Regiment.

The center has classrooms, offices, and a fitness room. It also has a special room for weapons training. This facility can hold many soldiers for training weekends. It was named in honor of Major General Salvador Padilla Escabi.

Training and Education Centers

Fort Allen is an important place for military education. It hosts:

• The Puerto Rico Army National Guard Officer Candidate School. This school trains future Army officers.
• The NCO Academy. This academy trains non-commissioned officers.
• The Language Center. This center helps new recruits learn different languages.

Over-the-horizon Radar

The United States Navy uses part of Fort Allen for a special radar system. This system is called a Relocatable Over-the-horizon Radar (ROTHR). It was built in 1997. The radar helps monitor flights over a very large area. This area is more than 1,000,000 square miles (2,590,000 square kilometers) in South America. The ROTHR has 34 antennas. Some of these antennas are very tall, up to 123 feet (37 meters) high.

Youth Challenge Program

The National Guard Youth Challenge Program started at Fort Allen in 1999. This program helps young people aged 16 to 18. It is for those who have left high school early. The program teaches them important life skills and self-discipline. It helps them become successful citizens. Participants in this program live at Fort Allen during their training.