Editing Loring Air Force Base (section)

====Second-half of the Cold War====
[[File:Mark 60 CAPTOR-DF-ST-90-11649.JPEG|thumb|Airmen from the 42nd Munitions Maintenance Squadron prepare to load a [[Mark 60 CAPTOR]] (encapsulated torpedo) anti-submarine mine onto a 42d Bombardment Wing B-52G Stratofortress aircraft during [[Exercise Ghost Warrior]], a joint Air Force/Navy exercise conducted during the base's conventional operational readiness inspection]]

Although it is unknown when it was opened, Loring was host to a [[Conventional Enhanced Release Training]] bomb range, which was located adjacent to the runway. Loring was one of four Strategic Air Command bases with a range of this type, and it was used frequently. The base was also located next to Condor 1 and Condor 2 airspace, which allowed for low-level training. The routes and training opportunities within the restricted airspace allowed training to be accomplished. One disadvantage of the location of Loring was its distance from the [[Strategic Training Route Complex]] and bombing ranges in [[Nevada]] and [[Utah]]. The western ranges were the only location where the B-52s were allowed to drop live munitions. SAC training required crews to drop live munitions twice a year on these ranges.<ref name="strategic-air-command" />

In 1974, President [[Richard Nixon]] stopped at Loring on 3 July in [[Air Force One#SAM 27000|Air Force One]] (SAM 27000) as he returned from a summit in [[Moscow]], where he and [[Leonid Breshnev]] had signed the [[Threshold Test Ban Treaty]].<ref name="nxreppr">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z3ggAAAAIBAJ&pg=1575%2C503978 |newspaper=Lewiston Daily Sun |agency=Associated Press |title=Nixon reports progress towards "lasting peace" |date=4 July 1974 |page=1}}</ref> In a speech in front of 5,000 people in the double cantilever hangar, he talked about the importance of the treaty. President and [[Pat Nixon|Mrs. Nixon]] were welcomed home by vice president [[Gerald R. Ford]], who flew from Washington.<ref name="nxreppr" /><ref name="BangorDaily">{{cite news|title=President addresses nation from Loring|url=http://www.all-hazards.com/loring/cyndy2/imagepages/image5.htm|access-date=17 August 2012|newspaper=[[Bangor Daily News]] |last=Spruce |first=Chris |date=4 July 1974 |page=1}}</ref> His daughter [[Julie Nixon Eisenhower]] was also in attendance.<ref name="BangorDaily2">{{cite news |url=http://www.all-hazards.com/loring/cyndy2/imagepages/image1.htm |newspaper=[[Bangor Daily News]] |title=Peace Cause Advanced |date=4 July 1974 |page=1}}</ref> Nixon resigned from office five weeks later.

On 11 March 1976, SAC headquarters announced that the 42d Bombardment Wing would be inactivated, citing the poor condition of Loring's facilities. In 1976, it was estimated that Loring needed up to $300 million in facilities improvements. Between 1976 and 1979, considerable debate took place over the strategic importance of Loring, resulting in a reversal of the Air Force decision to close Loring. When the decision to keep Loring AFB open was made in 1979, Congress committed itself to upgrading Loring's facilities. After 1981, nearly $300 million in military construction and operations and maintenance funds were spent to upgrade the facilities.<ref name="strategic-air-command" /> Congressman [[Tip O'Neill]] of [[Massachusetts]] and Senator [[William Cohen]] of [[Maine]] were firm supporters of the base during the time when it was proposed to be closed.<ref name="Everybodywins">{{cite news|title=Base Closings: Everyone Wins|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/10/opinion/base-closings-everyone-wins.html?src=pm|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=3 February 2013|date=10 October 1988}}</ref>

During the time that Loring was proposed for closure, the region experienced economic uncertainty. Once the Air Force made its intent known in 1976, property values plummeted, and people delayed buying homes, fearing that they would need to relocate. The reduction in the base of around 80% meant that possibly 60% of Aroostook County would need to relocate, according to county officials. A $25,000 study, commissioned by the [[United States Department of Labor|Department of Labor]] and conducted at [[Northeastern University]], calculated that the region had lost over $14 million in these three years of economic uncertainty.<ref name="NorthernMaine">{{cite news|title=Northern Maine needs the Air Force|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19810725&id=_6krAAAAIBAJ&pg=6783,5006877|access-date=3 February 2013|newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Nashua)|The Telegraph]]|date=25 July 1981}}</ref>

In 1981, Loring's bombers were placed on alert after Soviet submarines were spotted off the coast of the region.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/11/us/b-52-s-in-maine-placed-on-alert-after-soviet-subs-are-detected.html |newspaper=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press |title=B-52's in Maine placed on alert after Soviet subs are detected |access-date=20 May 2014 |date=11 March 1981}}</ref> The base was briefly mentioned in the 1983 movie [[WarGames]], although the film erroneously listed Loring as being home to the [[43rd Bombardment Wing]].<ref name="WarGames">{{cite video|people=[[Matthew Broderick]], [[Dabney Coleman]], [[John Wood (English actor)|John Wood]], and [[Ally Sheedy]]|title=[[WarGames]]|medium=Film|publisher=[[United Artists]]|location=United States|date=1983}}</ref> In 1982, the base was hit by two [[earthquake]]s, which damaged the base hospital and caused cracks to appear on the walls of the control tower.<ref name="NRC">{{cite web|url=http://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/historic-historique/map-carte-eng.php|title=Important Canadian Earthquakes|last=Natural Resources Canada|work=Earthquakes Canada|access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref><ref name="Spencer">{{cite web |last=Spencer |first=C.W. |title=Earthquakes in the United States, January March 1982 – USGS |url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1983/0896a/report.pdf |publisher=[[United States Geological Service]] |access-date=7 July 2013 |year=1983}}</ref>

On 5 September 1983, members of the 42d Air Refueling Squadron escorted a crippled [[F-4E Phantom II]] over the Atlantic Ocean after it experienced the loss of an engine. For its actions, crew E-113 received the [[Mackay Trophy]] for refueling it four times and towing it with its refueling boom.<ref name="Bayly">{{cite news|last1=Bayly|first1=Julia|title=Fort Kent brothers recall years spent keeping planes flying at Loring|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2013/07/21/news/aroostook/fort-kent-brothers-recall-years-spent-keeping-planes-flying-at-loring/|access-date=11 July 2014|newspaper=[[Bangor Daily News]]|date=21 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="NAA">{{cite web|title=Mackay 1980–1989 Recipients|url=https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-trophies/mackay-trophy/mackay-1980-1989-winners|publisher=[[National Aeronautic Association]]|access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="White">{{cite web|last1=White|first1=J. Terry|title=Remarkable Airmanship|date=4 September 2012|url=http://www.whiteeagleaerospace.com/valiant-airmanship/|publisher=J. Terry White|access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref>

The [[5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] based at Minot AFB in [[North Dakota]] maintained a detachment of three [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]]s at Loring. When the 5th was inactivated in 1987, [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom II]]s from the [[Minnesota Air National Guard]]'s [[148th Fighter-Interceptor Group]]'s [[179th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] sent a detachment to Loring. After the detachment left, the Massachusetts Air National Guard's [[102nd Fighter Interceptor Wing]]'s [[101st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] deployed F-15s to the base, the same ones that were part of the 5th.<ref name="BangorDailyNews3b">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aKdJAAAAIBAJ&pg=5800%2C4230205 |newspaper=Bangor Daily News |last=Sund |first=Debra |title=Loring fighters replaced by newer aircraft |date=21 October 1987 |page=9}}</ref><!--This was in addition to the B-52D, which was there from 25 May 1989 until 2 March 1994.--> A second north–south runway, one that had been in the Loring's original plans, was created on Taxiway J as a "pre-launch survivability" runway.<ref name="HAERLoring" /><ref name="Sund">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aaRJAAAAIBAJ&pg=4752%2C2012195 |newspaper=Bangor Daily News |last=Sund |first=Debra |title=Group hopes to preserve Cold War icon |date=22 June 1998 |page=A1}}</ref> This made Loring one of three SAC bases with two runways.<ref name="strategic-air-command" />

In 1988, the Air Force decided to close three of its nuclear weapons stations at its SAC bases. In addition to Loring, other bases around the world were scaled back. As the [[Rockwell B-1B Lancer|B-1B Lancer]] was now predicted to become the mainstay of nuclear defense for the country, Loring was deemed unnecessary for nuclear weapons stationing.<ref name="Halloran">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/16/us/3-nuclear-storage-depots-to-close-as-b-52-missions-change.html?scp=4&sq=loring%20air%20force%20base&st=cse |newspaper=The New York Times|last=Halloran |first=Richard |title=3 nuclear storage depots to close as B-52 missions change |access-date=20 May 2014|date=16 May 1988}}</ref> That same year, fears began to surface that Loring would be an on the list of the [[1988 Base Realignment and Closure Commission]]. As a result, the community began to rally around the base, which at the time included 3,800 military personnel, 1,000 civilian employees, generated an $80 million payroll the previous year, and was the subject of $34 million in construction services.<ref name="Gold">{{cite news |last=Gold |first=Allan |title=Loring Journal; rallying round an air base in northern Maine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/18/us/loring-journal-rallying-round-an-air-base-in-northern-maine.html |newspaper=The New York Times|date=18 October 1988 |access-date=20 May 2014}}</ref>

In 1989, it was proposed to list Loring on the [[Environmental Protection Agency]]'s [[National Priorities List]]. This was due to the presence of [[waste oil]], fuel, solvents, and pesticides in the soil. Additionally, the burning of waste also created problems, in addition to the use of landfills in old gravel pits on site. The fire training area also needed remediation, as materials were burned there until 1974. Loring was officially added to the list in February 1990.<ref name="EPA">{{cite web |title=LORING AIR FORCE BASE |url=http://yosemite.epa.gov/r1/npl_pad.nsf/f52fa5c31fa8f5c885256adc0050b631/01550369A32B31BB8525691F0063F6D6?OpenDocument#toc |publisher=[[Environmental Protection Agency]]|access-date=18 May 2014}}</ref>

During [[Operation Desert Storm]], Loring's tankers were responsible for refueling aircraft transiting the Atlantic. It was also used as a stopover for aircraft travelling to the [[Persian Gulf]] region due to its vital position. The base was vital because it allowed aircraft maintenance, as some would be unable to reach their destination without maintenance. Between 2 August 1990 and 10 May 1991, more than 1,700 aircraft transiting between America and the Persian Gulf region landed at Loring. These included the [[C-141 Starlifter]], [[C-5 Galaxy]], [[C-130 Hercules]], [[C-21A]], [[A-4 Skyhawk]], [[A-10 Thunderbolt II]], [[Boeing 707]], [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]], [[F/A-18 Hornet]], [[F-111 Aardvark]], [[P-3 Orion]], [[TR-1A Dragonlady]], U-2 Dragonlady, B-52 Stratofortress, [[KC-10 Extender]], KC-135 Stratotanker, [[E-3A Sentry]], [[EA-6B Mercury]], and [[E-8A Joint Stars]] aircraft.<ref name="strategic-air-command" />

=====UFO sighting=====
During the fall of 1975, the base was the location of [[unidentified flying object]] sightings. During the night of 27 October, an unidentified object was spotted hovering near the secure weapons area (the former Caribou AFS). Around 19:45, a member of the 42nd Security Police Squadron spotted an apparent aircraft over the northern perimeter of Loring, at a low altitude. A later [[Teleprinter|teletype]] message to the [[National Military Command Center]] in Washington, D.C., stated: "The A/C [aircraft] definitely penetrated the LAFB [Loring Air Force Base] northern perimeter and on one occasion was within {{convert|300|yd}} of the munitions storage area perimeter." In the control tower, a member of the 2192nd Communications Squadron was on duty, when he picked up the craft on radar, nearing the base. After trying to contact the unidentified aircraft to warn it that it was approaching a restricted area, the aircraft entered the airspace over the nuclear weapons storage area and hovered over it at an altitude of {{convert|300|ft}}, later lowering to {{convert|150|ft}}. Commander of the 42d Bombardment Wing, [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] Robert E. Chapman{{refn|Sources say that a "Richard E. Chapman" was the commander, but there seems to be confusion in the name.<ref name=Chapman>{{cite web|title=BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT E. CHAPMAN |url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=4978 |publisher=United States Air Force |access-date=15 February 2013 |year=1981 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802101900/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=4978 |archive-date=2 August 2013}}</ref><ref name=Nicap>{{cite web|title=UFOs Intrude into SAC Base Weapons Areas|url=http://www.nicap.org/intsac.htm|publisher=Nicap.org|access-date=15 February 2013}}</ref>|group = N}} arrived 15 minutes later at the weapons storage area and police units were ordered in as well. At this time, he also declared a [[Security Option 3]].<ref name="Clearintent">{{cite book|last=Greenwood|first=Lawrence Fawcett, Barry J.|title=Clear intent: the government coverup of the UFO experience|year=1984|publisher=Prentice-Hall|location=Englewood Cliffs, N.J.|isbn=978-0-13-136649-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/clearintentgover00fawc}}</ref>

At 20:45, another person on duty in the control tower received a call to track the mysterious craft on radar. For the next 40 minutes, it was observed circling around the weapons storage area, when it suddenly vanished, as though it had landed or dropped below the radar. Witnesses later observed it flying away towards [[Grand Falls, New Brunswick]], twelve miles to the east. Messages were sent to the National Military Command Center, the [[Air Force Chief of Staff]], and Strategic Air Command headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base. The base continued to remain on a high state of alert until the following morning, as efforts to identify the unidentified aircraft through the [[Maine State Police]], local police departments, and the Houlton [[Federal Aviation Administration]] office remained elusive.<ref name="Clearintent" />

The next night at 19:45, a craft similar to the one the night before approached the base. In addition to being tracked on radar, it hovered around the area for 30 minutes, with characteristics of movement similar to a helicopter. It hovered above the weapons storage area at the same altitude as the night before. At this time, possibly another object (it is unclear if it was the same one as the over the weapons storage area, but it is possible) was spotted over the flightline. The cigar-shaped object was described as hovering in mid-air, jerking around, and turning on and off its lights once. During the blackout, it traveled from the flightline, to the northern end of the runway. According to one service member, the object was chased, and eventually discovered to be hovering five feet off the ground. During this time, it was determined that the object was four car lengths long.<ref name="Clearintent" />

Once again, the object was tracked on radar, taking off towards New Brunswick. Teletype messages were again sent to higher commands, with no explanation being found. One teletype sent on November from Loring's [[U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations|Office of Special Investigations]] detachment to the National Military Command Center and OSI headquarters reported another, "unidentified helicopter sighted at low level over Loring AFB" over the past two nights (31 October – 1 November). It also referred to the intruder as an "unknown entity." Additionally, Captain Richard R. Fuhs an Operations Officer in the 42nd Security Police Squadron (SPS) stated, "...&nbsp;advised that there had been three verified sightings of an unidentified A/C [aircraft] flying at low level over and in the vicinity of LAFB" during this period. An initial sighting was made by a member of the 42nd, who was on duty at 23:14 hours Another member spotted the object near the East Gate, going from east to west.<ref name="Clearintent" />

It has been learned that another member of the 2192nd Communications Squadron working at the Caswell Radar Station had been contacted by the base commander to look toward the base and report what he sees.  That member responded, I see a helicopter with people rappelling out of it.  To quote him, "I never saw a UFO, but I did see a helicopter".  This incident was a base readiness security drill that has been passed off as a UFO sighting.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

=====BRAC 1991 and closure=====
[[File:Loring Flightline.jpg|thumb|240px|Flightline at Loring in 1968, and [[Loring Air Force Base Alert Area|alert area]], which stood down in 1991]]
In 1991, [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Dick Cheney]], upon the recommendation of [[Secretary of the Air Force]] [[Donald B. Rice]], identified Loring and five other SAC bases for closure through the [[Base Realignment and Closure|BRAC Commission]]. The commission recommended that the 42d Bomb Wing be disestablished, and the B-52Gs transferred to the [[410th Bomb Wing]] at [[K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base|K.I. Sawyer AFB]] near [[Marquette, Michigan]]. The KC-135 aircraft were realigned to [[United States Air Force Reserve|USAF Reserve]] and other active units.<ref name="BRAC">{{cite web|title=Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, 1991 Report to the President|url=http://www.defense.gov/brac/docs/1991com.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040314222117/http://www.defense.gov/brac/docs/1991com.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 March 2004|access-date=16 March 2014}}</ref>

The justification for the closure of Loring was that the Air Force had six more strategic bases than were needed to support the number of bomber and tanker aircraft in the Defense Department's Structure Plan. The base was evaluated against eight selection criteria and a large number of subelements specific to Air Force bases and missions. Although Loring was in good condition and had strong community support, it ranked low in the criteria when compared to 20 other bases in the strategic category. One item that hurt Loring was its limited peacetime value as a tanker base, as well as its distance from bombing ranges. The commission did note that the facilities at Loring were above average, and the cost to close Loring would be low, the latter which contributed to its closure.<ref name="BRAC" />

The commission also projected an impact on the future of the community; 22,000 people were projected to leave the region with 9,900 direct and indirect jobs affected, and a loss of over $92 million of regional income. This was in contrast to a regional population of over 49,100, available jobs of 33,320, and an annual income of $755 million. The net savings by the end of 1997 from closing the base was $182 million, or about $61.8 million annually.<ref name="BRAC" />

As the Cold War ended, so did the mission of SAC, and it was disestablished on 1 June 1992. The last B-52 departed Loring in November 1993, and ceremonies were held in February 1994 to celebrate the end of the flying mission. The following month saw the last KC-135 depart and after 41 years, Loring AFB officially closed on 30 September 1994.<ref name="HAERLoring" /><ref name="BRAC" />