PRESIDENTBILL BEIL

Polly Chike is a proud native of West Virginia, but she fell in love with Aroostook County upon her arrival here as an Airman Basic in the fall of 1983.  Her 24+ year career took her around the world to include a second tour at Loring in the early 1990’s.  

Upon her retirement in 2007 she worked for several national  defense contractors in Colorado and Mississippi before returning to the County in 2022.  Loring has always had a special place in her heart, and she loves manning the museum and sharing memories and experiences about the base.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO POLLY'S LEADERSHIP, AND EXPERIENCE IN MANY WAYS AND WISH HER THE VERY BEST ON HER NEW ROLE AS LORING AIR MUSEUM PRESIDENT 

Matt Cole

Eagle Scout, and an all around good guy who helped to get this whole thing started.  His carpentry skills have played an important role in making our building what it is today.   Matt Cole knows what has to be done and does it. Elected in September 2005. Matt is as eager as it gets and is the driving force that keeps us going. Matt is married to Joanna and have 2 wonderful children Meghan, and Ryan. Matt is active as a scout leader and helps scouts with Eagle Court. 

Matt works at NMCC as a Carpentry teacher and is exceptional at his skill and it shows in our museum.

Matt is the driving force with helping with the new floors and installation of them. 

Matt is the driving force to get us the flyovers and the planes for our Open Houses! He is on the phone all the time pushing them to be here for us! When you see a bird over Loring again, Be sure to Thank Mr. Matt Cole for all that hard work! 

MATT IS THE MAN TO GET US THE BIRDS AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVE HIM ONBOARD!

We look forward to working with Matt for a long time to come. 

Jim Quinn

Treasurer
Jim is a USAF Veteran of Loring. Jim was active with the B52 and is all things B52. 

Jim was and is a proud member of the OMS Squadron. Jim is a right hand man that has helped and jumped in when needed. 

Jim has worked at DFAS for many years at Loring and is a great asset to them and us.  

Jim is married to Pam Quinn and has 2 daughters and grandkids. Jim is an avid hockey player and loves to be on the ice. He played at Loring on the ice and was on the base hockey team. 

Thank you Jim for stepping up to take the open position and for being at events to help with those too. Without you we would be in big trouble not having your hands and knowledge of all things B-52. 

Welcome Jim! 

Jim Alward

Mr. Jim Alward grew up in the shadow of Loring AFB. Jim never served but he served Loring for 24 years in the capacity of Maine Military Authority as facilities maintenance worker for 20 years and then later as the Loring Development Authority maintenance, roads, and grounds worker. Jim’s father was a combat wounded Veteran, and both his brothers are veterans. He is Master of the Caribou Lodge 170 of free and accepted Masons and a Life Member of the Aroostook Shriners Club and a Knights of the Templar member. Jim serves us in the Director’s chair as a 3-year officer. Jim does anything that is asked and is a humble man and hard worker. Jim steps in without hesitation and puts his all in everything he does for the Loring Air Museum. He is smart, knowledgeable about the grounds, buildings, and area, and a great add to our museum. We look forward to many years with him at the helm of Director. Thanks, Jim, for stepping us when we needed you! Jim lives in New Sweden with his wife Dede. 

Ray Vogel

Ray served in the USAF for 4 years having honorably discharged as a Sergeant. Ray was stationed at Loring and brings much knowledge to us. Ray became a Director in November of 2010 and is a great asset to us. Ray is a constant volunteer who is eager to help in any capacity that he can. He is hard working and always willing to lend a hand. Soft spoken he has served as volunteer to little league, his church as youth leader, and is active with radio controlled car club. He is a Nascar enthusiast and sets up booths at fairs and in the mall. 

He sits and chats with anyone and is an overall great guy. Always willing to lend a hand.  He serves quietly and does it with pride and enthusiasm.
Ray was married to his wife Sheri for 40 years before her passing. 

Ray lives in Caribou Maine and serves us well. 

Dr. Fred Strickland has an interesting background and history.  He was here before when he was on active duty with the United States Air Force.  He was here in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  He left in 1984 for assignments in South Korea, in Washington DC, and in San Antonio Texas.  Half of his Air Force career was as an HF radio operator and the last half was as a frequency manager.  At Loring, he worked in the Combat Crew section (42BMW/KT also listed as 2192CS/DOKT).  He retired from the Air Force in 1995.  After retirement, he went to work for Civil Air Patrol as their frequency manager.

Dr. Strickland has seven academic degrees with three of these in the computing academic area.  His last degree was a PhD in computer science that he earned in 2008 from Auburn University.  He has real world experience from working with two Alabama state government agencies.

Dr. Strickland has taught adult college students since the late 1970s. Dr. Strickland understands the need to re-invent education in order to better serve the modern student of today.  He understands that education can be a ticket to a better life and can be a means to improve the local economy.  He has numerous ideas that he would like to implement at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI).  He has been at UMPI since August 2019.

On a personal note, Dr. Strickland is married to the former Sharyn Lynn Fischer of Hollywood Florida.  They have one adult son and five grandchildren. 

Mr. David King is a smart, intelligent man who loves to help out. He knows all about Loring and is a go to person when we need information. He loves to do the tours of the WSA and we look to him for his knowledge, wisdom and great attitude!

Thanks David for always helping!  

Tonya Ossenfort was one of the driving forces behind the dog cemetery along with her spouse Bill Ossenfort. Bill has since passed away but he was our past president for 10 years. Both were active. 

Tonya remains active at the Center and we always can count on her for her go to attitude. 

Thanks Tonya for always being there!! 

Herman and Pauline Gaskins not only get involved but they involve their family from afar. They are there when we need them, and are eager to help. 

Herman still works on base and is very active at the Loring Job Corp. 

Thanks Pauline and Herman!! 

Mr. Wayne Selfridge is very active in helping when we need him. He is very active at the Loring Wildlife Refuge but when the Open Houses occur, he is Johnny on the spot. Wayne was at Loring for many years, and he is a Retired SMSGT. Thanks Wayne for all you do! 

Marilyn and Bill Cowan come all the way from Tennessee to man the center every summer. Their daughter lives in Canada and they have an RV they stay in while here. They man the Center when no one is able and are always willing to lend a hand. Bill was at Loring and he is very knowledgeable about the base. A former SPS he loves to talk about his time at Loring AFB and other bases. He had quite the career for sure. 

They come up every summer and we can't wait to see them each and every year. They have become wonderful friends and are a true asset to the Musuem.

Thanks you both very much!! YOUR GREAT! 

Bob and Sue Mayshock and family come up for a weekend in the summer to help man the center. Pictured are their grandsons who are so hardworking and very polite young boys and men. 

They clean the center, sweep, dust, clean windows, move displays help put up displays and do whatever is needed when they are there. 

The boys Dominic, Sawyer and Owen are an asset to our Center and we totally appreciate the help. We hope they will continue to join us year after year. 

Coming up from Pennsylvania is a long trip but they all love it here!! 

Thank you for all you do!! 

Brian and Donna Holmberg have come up and manned the center when needed. Brian was stationed at Loring and donates items he finds on ebay to our Center. 

Thanks for all you do!! 

We hope to have you as friends for a long time to come! 

Ron and Joanne Craft are two awesome people. They support the center and Ron has spoken at several open houses. 

They bought a piece of Loring in land and come up and then man the center for us. Thank you guys!! 

WE TOTALLY APPRECIATE YOU! 

Ray is retired USAF and National Guard Member, Ray is married to his wife for 40+ years, and is the father of 2 woman who have given him 2 wonderful grandchildren.  Ray is a retired school teacher who has served on many levels and has served in many capacities of the teachers associations. Ray is very active in the organization and brings to the table much enthusiasm and knowledge, especially about the B52. he serves as a tour guide and is in charge of the Hounddog Missiles project. Ray has kept us up to date on everything associated with the missile and the wing areas. We look forward to Rays advice and leadership, and can do attitude for a long time to come! Thanks for serving as our President.