Editing Loring Air Force Base (section)

===Operational history===

====Origins====
[[File:North Atlantic Transport Route 1945.jpg|thumb|A 1945 map of [[World War II]] supply ferry routes over the [[North Atlantic Ocean]], with the location of Loring being right above Presque Isle's dot]]
Loring AFB was carved out of the woods of Maine beginning in the late forties and officially dedicated in 1953, named after Charles J. Loring, Jr., who was killed in the Korean War. The closest Air Force base on the east coast to Europe, it was originally built with a capacity of 100 B-36 Peacemaker bombers and equipped with a {{convert|10000|ft|m|adj=on}} runway.<ref name="HAERLoring" /><ref name="strategic-air-command">{{cite web|title=SAC Bases: Loring Air Force Base|url=http://www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Loring_AFB.htm|publisher=Strategic-air-command.com|access-date=9 February 2013|year=2013}}</ref>

Loring was built on {{convert|14300|acre|km2}} of land, making it the biggest SAC base in the country. This in turn allowed for it to have the largest capacity for weapon storage and for fuel storage in all of SAC. (Its overall capacity ranked second among all 21 SAC bases). The weapons storage capacity was the highest in all of SAC, 10,247,882 NEW (Net Explosive Weight), and it was first in all of SAC in fuel storage capacity (9,193,374 gallons).<ref name="strategic-air-command" /> Fuel was delivered to the base via [[Searsport-Loring Pipeline|a 200-mile pipeline]] to [[Searsport, Maine]].<ref name="BangorDailyNews3a">{{cite news|last=Groening|first=Tom|title=Bangor Natural Gas parent buys rights to Searsport-to-Loring pipeline|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/07/03/business/bangor-natural-gas-parent-buys-rights-to-searsport-to-loring-pipeline/|newspaper=[[Bangor Daily News]]|access-date=7 August 2012|date=3 July 2012}}</ref> Ramp space at Loring exceeded 1.1 million square yards, which made it second among all SAC bases in total ramp space, and first in excess ramp space. Furthermore, it was one of two fully capable conventional weapons storage facilities in CONUS maintained by SAC.<ref name="strategic-air-command" />

During the [[Cold War]], new [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] bases were constructed along the northern border of the continental U.S.; their most direct route to the [[Soviet Union]] was through the [[Arctic Circle]]. These sites were high-importance strategic bases for hosting long-range missiles and aircraft. In 1947, the [[New England]] Division of the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] chose a site in northeastern Maine, within both the [[Limestone, Maine|Limestone Township]] and [[Caswell, Maine|Caswell Plantation]]. The remote site consisted mostly of dense forest, shallow [[marsh]]es, and wild [[blueberry]] bogs, on a slight plateau over the town, which helped keep it above the fog most of the time. Only a small part of the base was suitable for farming, so there was little impact on [[Aroostook County, Maine|Aroostook County]]'s agricultural community. Additionally, Loring was not far from sources of materials for runway, taxiway, and parking apron construction. The most important benefit of the site was that it was a few hundred miles closer than any other base to potential targets in Europe.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

====Construction====
[[File:Loring Air Force Base plans.gif|thumb|Early plans for Loring. Note the additional third runway that was planned, only a part of which was built as a taxiway.]]
On 15 April 1947, construction commenced on '''Limestone Army Air Field,''' the first Strategic Air Command base designed and built to host high-speed aircraft, including the new B-36 Peacemaker. Original plans for Limestone called for two parallel north−south runways, a {{convert|12000|ft|-1|adj=on}} east−west runway, and accommodations for over 100 aircraft. The multimillion-dollar project was not built to the specifications of the original Army Corps of Engineers plan, and only one north−south runway was constructed.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

On 23 May, a $17 million contract was awarded to two companies to complete the first phase of construction. This included the north−south runway, a parallel taxiway (Taxiway J), a parking apron, the [[Loring Air Force Base Arch Hangar|Arch Hangar]], a base operations building, a control tower, a power plant, a 250-person barracks (which would later become Building 6000), a water supply system, and a railroad spur to the base from the [[Bangor and Aroostook Railroad]]).<ref name="HAERLoring" />

One of the first structures was the Arch Hangar. At the time, it was the largest monolithic arch roof structure in the US, and one of the largest hangars in the world. The construction of the hangar was also groundbreaking, including a foundation set on bedrock, extensive footing structures, intricate formwork, and a 340-foot arch span.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

The runway was another major construction task. The airfield in northern Maine was subject to freeze-thaw cycles and had bogs and various types of groundcover; 2.1 million cubic yards of material was removed. The foundation of the runway was constructed to a depth of {{convert|70|in|m|2}} of a flexible bituminous-concrete pavement. This was all done on a runway that was {{convert|10000|ft|-1}} in length and {{convert|300|ft|-1}} wide.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

The month of June 1950 began 44 years of constant activity at Limestone. On 10 June, the 7 officers and 78 airmen of the Limestone Detachment arrived, as the tenant unit during construction. Two days later, an aircraft from Oklahoma arrived. On the 15th, limited operations began at Limestone, as Cold War tensions began to heat up. The next day, a B-36 Peacemaker arrived and later departed. 1 July brought the re-designation of the Limestone Detachment as the [[4215th Base Service Squadron]]. After the Korean War broke out, the decision was made to increase the squadron's size to 28 officers, 340 airmen, and 20 civilians. August brought the first permanently assigned aircraft, a [[C-47 Skytrain]], and more aircraft using the base as a stopover between the States and Europe.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

[[File:Runway cross section, Loring Air Force Base.png|thumb|A cross-section of the runway at Loring, showing the depth to which material was built]]

The war brought increased funding to Limestone in 1951. Eight additional hangars were constructed at the southwestern end of the runway, as well as a {{convert|2100|ft|-1|adj=on}} addition to the northern end of the runway. The [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] allocated funds for the [[North River Depot]], a weapons storage facility to the northwest of the base. It later became Caribou Air Force Station and was absorbed into the facility in the 1960s. The end of the year brought the completion of a communications facility, a hospital, three barracks, a school, an officers club, a bakery, and a briefing and training building. The base was one of the first constructed after [[World War II]] and also one of the first to retain as much surrounding vegetation as possible in case there was a need to camouflage the airfield and surrounding facilities. It avoided the traditional grid system for roads.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

Hangars were built for the additional aircraft at the base, including the {{convert|250|by|600|ft|-1|adj=on}} double cantilever hangar, one of the first built by the Air Force in response to a demand for more efficient maintenance space. It could house five B-36 Peacemakers and six B-52 Stratofortresses,<ref name="HAERLoring" /> and nine planned concrete arch hangars were no longer needed.<ref name="Crypto">{{cite web|title=Cold War Infrastructure for Strategic Air Command: The Bomber Mission|url=http://cryptocomb.org/Cold%20War%20Infrastructure%20for%20Strategic%20Air%20Command-The%20Bomber%20Mission.pdf|publisher=Headquarters, Air Combat Command|access-date=17 December 2012|location=[[Langley Air Force Base]], [[Virginia]]|date=November 1999}}</ref>

The runway was resurfaced in 1955 in anticipation of the arrival of the B-52 Stratofortress in 1956. Eighteen additional "nose-dock" hangars (hangars which could contain the nose and wings of the aircraft, allowing for maintenance to the cockpit area by the crew, without the need to use the larger hangars) were built in 1956 to the northwest of the runway, near the main parking area, along with parking areas and taxiways for these hangars.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

====Early history====
[[File:42dbombwing-patch.jpg|thumb|Emblem of 42d Bomb Wing]]
On 8 February 1953, [[Curtis E. Lemay]], Commander of SAC, visited the base to review the construction's progress. During this visit, he indicated that Limestone was operationally ready. Later that month, command capabilities were formally transferred to SAC, ending an almost six-year command by the Army Corps of Engineers. Furthermore, personnel of the 4215th Base Service Squadron were reassigned to the 42d Bombardment Wing, which was reactivated and assigned to the [[8th Air Force]]. On 23 February, Limestone Air Force Base officially became operational.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

During the first few months, the wing was not assigned any aircraft, and thus worked with other units who were in possession of the B-36 Peacemaker. In March and April, the base began preparing for operations of the B-36, which arrived later in April. This gave the newly activated [[69th Bombardment Squadron]] a full complement of aircraft. By the end of August, the number had increased to 27 bombers, 322 officers, 313 airmen, and 350 civilians. Additionally, more buildings were constructed on base, making it more of a home for airmen and their families.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

January 1954 brought the declaration of the 42nd being capable of implementing its [[United States war plans (1945–1950)|Emergency War Plan]]. On 1 October, the base was renamed after Charles Loring Jr., and became "Loring Air Force Base". One week later, the 45th Air Division was activated at Loring and designated the primary base unit. It was also designated that month as the primary staging location for fighter aircraft flying out of the Continental United States to and from Europe. Loring had 63 permanent aircraft assigned, and air traffic was significantly increased.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

As the Cold War progressed, so did the need for new aircraft and techniques. The first KC-97 Stratofreighter arrived at Loring with the activation of the 42d Air Refueling Squadron in January 1955. The B-36s were not actually equipped to perform aerial refueling, so the planes supported other units until the arrival of the B-52 in 1956. Eventually, 21 tankers were based at Loring, along with 30 air crews.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

By 1955, the base consisted of the [[42d Bombardment Squadron|42d]], 69th, [[70th Bombardment Squadron|70th]], and the [[75th Bombardment Squadron]]s. A hospital became operational. The next January, a B-52 landed at the airfield as part of a cold weather testing program. Five months later, the first Stratofortress, the "State of Maine", was permanently stationed at Loring.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

In November 1956, the Air Force used the base for publicity. On 10 November, the Soviet Union threatened to oust British and French troops from the Middle East, days after the end of the [[Suez Crisis]]. After a response by president [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] to the United Nations, a reporter with the [[Associated Press]] visited [[Castle Air Force Base]] in California after SAC was alerted to support whatever action the U.S. might take. The reporter was unable to find classified information, and instead invented maintenance records of the fleet that painted a dismal picture. On 24 and 25 November, four B-52s of the [[93rd Bombardment Wing]] and the 42nd flew nonstop around the perimeter of North America in [[Operation Quick Kick (1956)|Operation Quick Kick]], which covered {{convert|15530|mi|nmi km|abbr=on}} in 31 hours, 30 minutes. SAC noted the flight time could have been reduced by 5 to 6 hours if the four inflight refuelings had been done by fast jet-powered tanker aircraft rather than propeller-driven KC-97 Stratofreighters.<ref name="knaack_p244">Knaack 1988, p. 244.</ref> After the flight ended, the planes landed at [[Friendship International Airport]]. The operation distracted public attention from the reporter's story.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

The base was also the location of an experimental system of steam pipes in 1957, to test the viability of using steam to melt the snow on the runways. Pipes were spaced at different intervals in the experiment.<ref name="PM Oct 1957">{{cite magazine| title = Steam-Heated Runway Melts 10 Feet of Snow |magazine= Popular Mechanics | volume = 108 | issue = 4 | page =112 | publisher = Hearst Magazines | date = October 1957| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=x-EDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA112| issn = 0032-4558}}</ref> That same year, the first KC-135 Stratotanker, christened the "Aroostook Queen", arrived at Loring. By December, all of the KC-97s had left, and by April 1958, 20 KC-135s had arrived, allowing the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron to reach full operational capacity in May.  Later that year, an alert force was created at Loring, consisting of six B-52s. The following year, in response to a conflict in [[Lebanon]], the entire wing was placed on alert.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

An Alert Force was established at Loring AFB in October 1957. The wing began supporting the force with six B-52s in January 1958. In response to a conflict in Lebanon, the Alert Force was expanded to include the entire bombardment wing in July 1958, when the SAC bomber force went to full alert status. SAC's overall goal was achieved in 1960.<ref name="HAERLoring" />

On 11 March 1958, base personnel were the first members of the Air Force to land a B-52 in a wheels-up configuration at [[Westover Air Force Base|Westover AFB]] near [[Springfield, Massachusetts]]. After being lifted up and onto its wheels, the plane was flown to [[Kelly Air Force Base|Kelly AFB]] at [[San Antonio, Texas]], for a complete overhaul and inspection, before it was returned to the 42nd.<ref name="Bellylanding">{{cite web|title=Belly-Landing Atom Bomber Flown to Kelly|url=https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PG9pDhm-guo/T6msx3DXtNI/AAAAAAAALyY/bX-EmMpUk1Q/s1600/B-52BellyLandsmall.jpg|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref>

Loring was also home to an administrations support base of a [[Green Pine (communications)|Green Pine]] communications crew from [[Naval Station Argentia]]. The detachment did not officially exist on the base, although it was located on the top floor of the Bachelors Officers Quarters and consisted of six men.<ref name="GreenPine">{{cite web|last=Makar|first=Michael|title=Green Pine System – Loring Air Force Base, Maine|url=http://www.all-hazards.com/loring/greenpine/index.html|publisher=All-hazards.com|access-date=11 February 2013|date=July 2006}}</ref>

=====Assigned aircraft=====
[[File:83d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron-F-106-59-0037.jpg|thumb|210px|[[Convair F-106 Delta Dart|F-106A]] of [[83d Fighter Weapons Squadron|83d FIS]] at Loring in 1972]]

Various aircraft were assigned to the base, including the B-36 Peacemaker, which was assigned to the 42d Bombardment Wing from 1 April 1953 to 6 September 1956; the KC-97G Stratotanker, which was assigned from 15 February 1955 to 16 December 1957; the B-52C Stratofortress, which was assigned 16 June 1956 to January 1957; the |KC-135A Stratotanker, which was assigned from 16 October 1957 to 7 May 1990; the B-52G, which was assigned from January 1957 to <!--7 July 1959--> 16 November 1993; and the KC-135R, which was assigned from 1990 to March 1994<!--21 May 1959 to 16 November 1993-->.<ref name="AFHRA">{{cite web|title=42 AIR BASE WING (AETC) |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9689 |publisher=[[Air Force Historical Research Agency]] |access-date=12 October 2012 |date=30 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104172214/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9689 |archive-date=4 January 2013 }}</ref>

Fighter aircraft were also assigned to the base during its operation. The [[Convair F-102 Delta Dagger|F-102 Delta Dagger]], which was assigned to the [[27th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]], was located on base from 1957 to 1960 while the [[Convair F-106 Delta Dart|F-106 Delta Dart]] was assigned from 16 October 1959 to 1 July 1971,<ref name="27th">{{cite web|title=27TH FIGHTER SQUADRON|url=http://www.langley.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3711|publisher=Air Force Research Historical Agency|access-date=12 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502205545/http://www.langley.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3711|archive-date=2 May 2008 |location=[[Langley Air Force Base]]|year=2008}}</ref> and to the [[83d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] from July 1971 to June 1972.<ref name="53Wing">{{cite web|title=53 WING (ACC) |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9742 |publisher=Air Force Research Historical Agency |access-date=12 October 2012 |location=[[Eglin Air Force Base]] |date=22 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104172234/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9742 |archive-date=4 January 2013 }}</ref>

On July 31, 2024, B-52 60-0012 from the 69th Bomb Squadron from Minot Air Force Base landed at Loring after some 30 years since the ceasation of B-52 operations from the base and to honor the 42nd Bomber Wing. The event on this occasions was to celebrate not only the history of the 42nd Bomber Wing but a Loring Open House Event that was being held.

=====Weapons Storage Area=====
[[File:LORING AFB WSA 67.jpg|thumb|210px|Weapons Storage Area in 1967]]
{{Main|Caribou Air Force Station}}
The Nuclear Weapons Storage Area at Loring once operated as a separate, top secret facility. Originally called the '''North River Depot''', the remote area to the northeast of Loring's property was the first U.S. operational site specifically constructed for the storage, assembly, and testing of atomic weapons.<ref name="HAER-WSA">{{Cite web |url=https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/me/me0300/me0311/data/me0311data.pdf |title=Loring Air Force Base, Weapons Storage Area |author=Earth Tech, Inc. |date=1994 |website=[[Historic American Engineering Record]] |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=8 November 2020}}</ref>

In 1951, the Department of Defense (DOD) allocated funds for the construction of an ordnance storage site at Loring AFB. The designs called for a self-sufficient "maximum security storage area for the most advanced weapons of mankind". The mission of the facility would be the protection and maintenance of the weapons used by SAC. The facility was in the northeast corner of the base, and construction began on 4 August 1951. In addition to 28 storage igloos and other weapons storage structures, the facility included weapons maintenance buildings, barracks, recreational facilities, a warehouse, and offices.<ref name="HAER-WSA" />

A parallel series of four fences, one of which was electrified, surrounded the heart of the storage area. This area was nicknamed the "Q" Area, which denoted the Department of Energy's [[Q clearance]] required to have access to Restricted Data.<ref name="HAER-WSA" />

In June 1962, the [[United States Atomic Energy Commission|Atomic Energy Commission]] released its custody and ownership of the weapons to the Air Force. The personnel and property of the later named '''Caribou Air Force Station''' were absorbed into the adjacent Loring Air Force Base.<ref name="HAER-WSA" />

=====Nike defense area=====
[[File:Loring AFB Defense Area.png|thumb|220px|Defense sites around Loring AFB]]
{{Main|Loring AFB Defense Area}}
To provide air defense of the base, four [[United States Army]] [[Nike Hercules|Nike-Hercules]] [[surface-to-air missile]] sites were constructed during 1956. Sites were located near Caribou (L-58) {{Coord|46|53|02|N|068|00|32|W}}; Caswell (L-13) {{Coord|47|01|42|N|067|48|35|W}}; Connor Twp. (L-85) {{Coord|47|00|29|N|068|01|06|W}}, and Limestone (L-31) {{Coord|46|55|04|N|067|47|32|W}} Maine.<ref name="MilitaryStandard">{{cite web|title=Nike Missile Loring Defense Area|url=http://www.themilitarystandard.com/missile/nike/loring-me.php|work=The Military Standard|access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref>

The New England Division of the Army Corps of Engineers managed the construction of these sites. The sites were manned by men from the 3rd Missile Battalion, [[61st Air Defense Artillery Regiment (United States)|61st Air Defense Artillery Regiment]], and provided defense for Loring and the northeastern approaches to the United States. In 1960, sites L-13 and L-58 underwent conversion from [[Project Nike#Nike Ajax|Ajax]] missiles to the [[MIM-14 Nike-Hercules]] missiles. These sites remained operational until 1966, although the site at Limestone was closed in September 1958.<ref name="MilitaryStandard" />

Members of the 3rd Missile Battalion gained distinction in November 1958 during the Annual Service Practice wargames at [[Fort Bliss]] in [[Texas]] when they launched 12 Nike Ajax missiles and recorded 12 kills – a [[United States Army Air Defense Command]] first.<ref name="MilitaryStandard" />

=====Operation Head Start=====
{{Main|Operation Head Start}}
Operation Head Start was conducted at the base from September to December 1958. It helped to demonstrate that a continuous airborne alert could be maintained successfully.<ref name="Headstart">{{cite video|people=[[42d Bombardment Wing]]|title=Operation Headstart|medium=Film reel|publisher=[[United States Air Force]]|location=Loring Air Force Base, [[Maine]]|date=1959|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDWS_9uS9IM| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201102521/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDWS_9uS9IM| archive-date=2013-12-01 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

Before each flight, a briefing was held, alerting the crewmembers to basic world events as well as safety criteria. At least 15 hours before takeoff, the crew would thoroughly pre-flight their aircraft. Inadvertently, this also increased efficiency in terms of maintenance and other pre-flight routines.<ref name="Headstart" />

Every six hours, a bomber would take off with live warheads and continue on a pre-determined path over Greenland and eastern Canada, a trip ending 20 hours later. Frequently, "Foxtrot: No message required" messages were sent to the bomber from Strategic Air Command headquarters at [[Offutt Air Force Base]], keeping the crews alert.<ref name="Headstart" />

While entering the landing pattern, crash trucks would travel to the runway and await landing. This was standard procedure for all Head Start landings. After landing, the crew was interrogated prior to being released, so that maintenance, intelligence, and other crews could be alerted to the performance of the plane and other items that the crew might have noticed during their flight. After release, they would typically go to the Physical Conditioning room for a steam bath and rubdown.<ref name="Headstart" />

Operation Head Start eventually led to [[Operation Chrome Dome]].<ref name="GeorgeWashington">{{cite web|title=The Air Force versus Hollywood|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nukevault/ebb304/index.htm|publisher=[[George Washington University]]|access-date=6 May 2012}}</ref> Chrome Dome was an operation where bombers would be in constant airborne alert and loiter at points just outside the Soviet Union.<ref name="NationalMuseum">{{cite web |title=SAC AIRBORNE ALERT |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1851 |publisher=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] |access-date=15 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114035353/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1851 |archive-date=14 January 2009}}</ref>

====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" />