9 US warplanes blown up at Puerto Rican base

January 13, 1981

Terrorists blew up nine Puerto Rican National Guard jet fighters in what may have been a protest against draft registration. Damage was estimated at $45 million. A group called "the Machete Wielders" claimed responsibility for the attack, in which no one was injured. Selective-service registration for men born in 1960 began last week.

The bombings at the Muniz Air National Guard Base were the most overt attack against a US-connected installation since December 1979, wh en guerrillas ambushed a Navy bus.