Editing Loring Air Force Base (section)

===Base culture and civilian life===
[[File:Loring west side.jpg|thumb|A view of the west side of Loring, including many of the civilian structures]]

Families at the base were able to take advantage of many of the opportunities provided for them, as life at Loring was not all military-related. Although Loring was constructed with support facilities including a hospital, chapel, and schools, other forms of civilian life were added over the years as well.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

====Education====
Younger students on the base attended Damon Elementary School or Harrison Elementary School. Kindergarten-age children would attend school in either morning or afternoon sessions, and the older students were given the standard fare of lunch offerings. School educators were rated highly in the state. Students in grades 7 through twelve attended the nearby [[Limestone High School]].<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

To those who were no longer in secondary education, there were opportunities as well. The [[Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute]] offered courses that would help students with introductory college-level classes. [[Husson College]] offered credits to those working to earn an associate's or baccalaureate degree in business. The nearby [[University of Maine at Presque Isle]] offered classes in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as humanities and liberal studies. [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]] offered a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics. Credits earned through these programs counted as "on campus" or "residential credit" to those who were enrolled in them. Additionally, day, evening, and night classes were offered in nearby [[Caribou, Maine|Caribou]] and [[Presque Isle, Maine|Presque Isle]].<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

For those seeking a graduate degree, the [[University of Denver]] offered a twelve course program leading to a Master of Science degree in systems management. Embry-Riddle offered three graduate degrees, including the Master of Aeronautical Science. The University of Maine at Presque Isle offered a Master of Public Administration as well.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

The base's Education Center also provided testing service for those interested in taking exams. It provided the [[CLEP]], [[DSST (standardized test)|DANTES]] Exams, [[SAT]], [[ACT (test)|ACT]], the [[LSAT]] and [[Graduate Record Examinations|GRE]] exams. The [[Community College of the Air Force]] also enrolled active duty personnel in its programs as well. Credits taken there could be transferred to other affiliated Air Force technical institutions, and personnel could qualify for commissioning programs.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

====Healthcare====
The [[Loring Air Force Base Hospital]] had two buildings during its operation. The first, Building 3500, which was known as the "Green Monster," was damaged during an earthquake on 9 January 1982.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" /> The two earthquakes, which were centered in [[Miramichi, New Brunswick]] caused irreparable structural damage to the facility, which led to it being replaced with a sturdier hospital in 1987.<ref name="NRC" /> The new hospital included a dental clinic and outpatient rooms, in addition to over twenty beds.<ref name="Hospital">{{cite news|title=Scaled-down hospital plan urged at Loring|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F-pfAAAAIBAJ&pg=3265,228500&dq=limestone+maine+earthquake+loring&hl=en|access-date=3 February 2013|newspaper=[[Bangor Daily News]]|date=1 October 1984}}</ref> Internal medicine, optometry, general surgery, pediatrics, mental health, and radiology services were also provided at the base, in addition to the 24-hour emergency support services. Veterinary services were also offered in a separate building to base personnel and their families.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

====Family services====
[[File:Moose loose.svg|thumb|Due to its relative isolation in Northern [[Maine]], signs like this were posted alerting people that there were [[moose]] in the area at all times.]]

Military members adjusting to Loring had many facilities available to them. This included the Family Service Center, the Family Services Lending Closet, and the Corey Center.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

The base was served by an independent bank, and included help for many types of financial needs, and an [[Automated teller machine|ATM]]. The County Federal Credit Union was located right outside the facility, and helped supplement the bank itself.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

Shopping at Loring could be completed at the Maine Exchange Shopping Mall, which was designed as a one-stop shop for the shopping needs of the residents. Goods could also be purchased at the base commissary as well, which included a [[Classes of supply|Class VI]] store.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

Loring had a non-denominational chapel, which helped to welcome new members to the base. Services were offered to those of the Roman Catholic, Protestant denominations and Judaic faiths. Members of the chapel also provided food for those who ate in Loring's dining hall, and helped to share the word of God to those who were believers.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

The base also came with its own newspaper, named ''[[Limelite]]''. The on-base newspaper helped to provide readers with information on the USAF and Strategic Air Command, as well as information on the events happening around the facility.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

The main dining hall on base was named Dahlgren Hall, after Maine native [[Edward Dahlgren]], who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

====Leisure activities====
For leisure, the area surrounding Loring offered many options. Many recreation areas and campgrounds were located in and around the base region, with some being 200 miles away. The Morale Welfare and Recreation center offered equipment for these outings, including fishbait and tackle and boat rentals. Loring's bowling center was 22 lanes, one of the most modern in the area. The base library loaned books to both residents and students alike.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

A small downhill ski area provided recreation for personnel and their dependents, operating on the base from the early 1960s until Loring's closure in 1994.<ref name="NELSAP">{{cite web|title=Loring AFB Ski Area|url=http://www.nelsap.org/me/loring.html|publisher=[[New England Lost Ski Areas Project]]|access-date=17 December 2012|date=16 October 2004}}</ref> This ski chalet included a lighted skating rink and could be used for local events. The base offered trips to regional ski resorts periodically, and cross country skiing was offered at the local golf course.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />

The base contained a Noncommissioned Officers Club and an Officers Club. The Noncommissioned Officers Club, or Club 42 as it was known, admitted all military members and civilians up the GS-7. Many varieties of food were offered there. It could be used for live entertainment, in addition to the booking of parties. The Visiting Officers Quarters and the Unaccompanied Officers Quarters were nearby, hence the club was a convenient stopover for transient officers.<ref name="SquadronsandServices" />