42ND BOMB SQUADRON:
42nd. BOMB SQUADRON:
The B-52G Stratofortress crews of the 69th Bombardment Squadron were prepared to deliver the striking force of the 42nd Bombardment Wing. Ready to launch on a moment‘s notice, they were capable of striking assigned targets anywhere in the world.
Before arriving at Loring, crew members had to complete many months of specialized training at the 4017th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Castle AFB in California. Once at Loring, crew members received additional flight training as well as local check ride, detailed instructions in the unit mission and training in emergency war order procedures. Also, before they could be considered mission ready, crew members had to personally certify to the wind commander, demonstrating their ability to carry out the wing mission. Crew members then joined a crew force of nearly 200 people, continuing their flying training to maintain proficiency and assuming alert duty every fourth week as part of the strategic triad.
The B-52G was capable of traveling at more then 600 miles per hour at altitudes above 40,000 feet. The eight jet engines of the stratofortress each developed more than 10,000 pounds of thrust. The tanker carried more fuel then three railroad cars and had an un-refueled range of more then 9,000 miles. The endurance of the plane was truly based on the endurance of the 6 man crew.
The Bomb Squadron was located in building 6000.
75th Bomb Squadron
This squadron was engaged in training missions with the B-36 worldwide. On October 15, 1959, the 75th was transferred to Griffiss AFB in New York, another SAC base.
70th Bomb Squadron
Redsignated as 70th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on February 19, 1953, activated on February 25, 1953. They flew B-26 and B-36. Participated in SAC missions, exercises and operations.
42ND AIR REFUELING SQUADRON (ARS)
ARS was assigned to Loring from 1955 till the closing. In July 1968, the 407th ARS was reactivated and joined the 42nd AREFS. The crews of both squadrons flew the KC135A Stratotanker and supported SAC’s strategic alert commitment and worldwide air refueling training requirements. Crews of the squadrons were subject to worldwide temporary duty in support of tactical and strategic training missions.
The KC-135 was capable of air refueling virtually every aircraft in the AF inventory at high speeds and altitudes. In addition to refueling aircraft as small as the OA-37 and as large as the C-5A and E-4B, it could routinely refuel up to 20 aircraft in a single formation. Normal crews consisted of 4 crew members- Pilot, Copilot, Navigator, and Boom Operator.
ARS had a proud heritage of 2 Saunders Trophies, Best in ARS in SAC and recipient of the Mackay Trophy to one of its crews for the most meritorious flight on 1983. The 407th Air Refueling Squadron distinguished itself for receiving the coveted General Carl A. Spaatz Memorial Air Refueling Trophy for meritorious air refueling support of SAC’s mission in 1983. Loring was only one of 10 wings to have 2 refueling squadrons.
Both squadrons were located in Building 6000.
42ND AVIONICS MAINTENANCE SQUADRON AMS
In charge of maintaining the sophisticated electronics of the 42nd Bomb Wing aircraft were the members of the 42nd Avionics Maintenance Squadron. The squadron was composed of branches. The mission systems branch, communication navigation branch and the automatic flight control instrument branch provided field level repair and maintenance of the B-52G and the KC-135A avionics system.
The precision measurement equipment laboratory provides for repairing calibration and certifying virtually every piece of test, measurement and diagnostic equipment used at Loring. The electronic warfare branch maintains the electronic countermeasures equipment on the B52G aircraft assigned to Loring.
42ND FIELD MAINTENANCE SQUADRON
The 42nd Field Maintenance Squadron maintains and repairs the B-52 and the KC-135 airframes and systems that make these aircraft airworthy, including flight controls, flaps engines, landing gear, ejection seats and parachutes to name just a few.
The fabrication branch provides services and manufacturing capability to repair and rebuild aircraft parts and support equipment. The main shops include structural repair, welding and machine shops, corrosion control and non-destructive inspection group.
The aerospace group equipment branch provides and maintains the ground support equipment that is separate from and external to the aircraft but necessary to support flying operations. These people maintained a variety of equipment such as ground power units, ground air conditioning units, heaters and hydraulic servicing carts.
42ND ORGANIZATION MAINTENANCE SQUADRON
The professional that ran this squadron of the 42nd Organizational Maintenance Squadrons ensured that the B-52G and the KC-135A aircraft assigned to Loring were mechanically sound and operational ready to meet the SAC’s Mission contingencies. The squadron was organized into five branches: bomber, tanker , support, alert, and inspection.
The bulk of the operations were conducted by the line maintenance people, in the bomber and tanker branches. The men and women virtually lived with their assigned aircraft and devoted painstaking efforts to see to the detailed needs of those aircraft.
The support branch people made sure every effort to provide the flight line people the proper tools and equipment to adequately service their aircraft. In the alert branch, several very experienced maintenance supervisors oversaw the 24-hour vigil that aircraft maintenance crews performed. Maintenance supervision oversaw the combined maintenance efforts in the squadron.
42ND MUNITIONS MAINTENANCE SQUADRON MMS
The mission of the 42nd Munitions Maintenance Squadron was to provide the 42nd Bomb Wing reliable munitions to support all wartime tasks. In addition to storing, maintaining and loading ordnance the 42nd MMS also performed intermediate-level maintenance on all test , handling and associated support equipment, including munitions trailers, aircraft weapons release systems and highly complex computers used to check out missiles and aircraft. The combined efforts of all squadron functions ensures that all assigned B-52G aircraft are properly configured and laded with the most reliable short range attack missiles and gravity weapons systems available.
42ND COMBAT SUPPORT GROUP CSG
The 42nd Bomb Wing, a large and complex organization, requires many support functions. A great many people perform jobs often taken for granted but vital to the Wing in achieving its mission.
Necessary services for the Wing, and for the health, welfare and morale of Loring’s nearly 10,000people. To the 42nd Combat Support Group. Units of the group include the following:
Base Administration
Chaplains
Civil Engineers
Base Operations and Training
Personnel Division
Services Squadron
Special Services
Social Actions
Disaster Preparedness
Security Police
Staff Judge Advocate
Consolidated Headquarters Squadron
Morale, Welfare and Recreation
42ND TRANSPORTATION SQUADRON TRANS
The 42nd Transportation Squadron provides Loring AFB members services needed in Vehicle Operations, Vehicle Maintenance and Traffic Management. The Vehicle Operations Branch is responsible for managing a base fleet of over 50 vehicles. The people that ran this branch provided the base with taxi services, aircrew transportation and “U-Drive-It” Vehicles.
The Vehicle Maintenance Branch provided all necessary vehicle repair work for the base fleet. The Traffic Management Branch located in BLDG 7210 provided numerous services to the base populace. This squadron included the movement of passengers, in both PCS and TDY status, as well as responsibility for personal property shipments. The warehouse section of this branch provided the services needed in the packing and movement of cargo, both by air and surface.
The Plans and Programs Branch is responsible for all squadron plans and programs and base-wide mobility augment training.
42ND SUPPLY SQUADRON
The 42nd Supply squadron provided direct support to over 20 organizations and played a vital role in ensuring that the 42nd Bombardment Wing accomplished its missions.
One of the largest squadrons on base, the 42nd Supply Squadron had personnel authorizations of 283, including 241 military and 42 civilians. Its real estate consisted of 23 building and approximately 250,000 square feet of open and closed warehouse space. Major supply functions and squadron administration offices are located in Bldg 7220. Loring’s 42nd Supply Squadron was awarded the coveted USAF Daedalian Award for Supply Effectiveness after being named as “Best in the Air Force” in 1985.
42ND CIVIL ENGINEER SQUADRON CES
Members of the 42nd Civil Engineering Squadron employed their skills, talents and resources to support he 42nd Bomb Wing mission by providing quality living for all base personnel.
The overall mission of the 42nd Civil Engineering Squadron was to acquire, construct, maintain, and operate real property facilities and provide related management, engineering and other support work and services. To do this the squadron is organized into seven branches: Unit Administration, Financial Management, Engineering and Environmental Planning, Operations, Fire Protection, Family Housing Management and Industrial Engineering.
In addition they maintained a superior Prime BEEF (Base Engineer’s Emergency Force) contingency team capable, ready and trained for wartime and emergency contingencies.
42ND CONSOLIDATE HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON
The 42nd Consolidated headquarters Squadron was the largest most diversified squadron on Loring. About 550 men and woman at Loring comprised this squadron.
Among those assigned to the squadron were people from the comptroller division, base administration, deputy commander for operations staff, the personnel division, disaster preparedness, the chaplain’s staff, staff judge advocates office, contracting division, mobility, deputy commander for maintenance staff, operations and training the public affairs division, wing safety, the social actions office and the morale, welfare and recreation division.
Additionally members of the 42nd MBW commanders senior staff and the squadron orderly room staff rounded out the divisions of the squadron.
CHS was aligned within the 42nd Combat Support Group. The men and women of CHS were deeply involved in all aspects of the mission at Loring. Everyone at Loring dealt with CHS, concerns about pay, assignments, legal advice religious guidance, and social actions counseling were the areas of expertise of CHS. Ensuring that aircraft were ready to fly and defense contract were awarded involved the CHS Squadron.
42ND SECURITY POLICE SQUADRON SPS
The 42nd Combat Support Group, the 42nd Security Police Squadron was in charge with round the clock security of Loring AFB.
Security forces in the squadron are responsible for providing continuous security for B-52, KC-135, and F-15 aircraft, and other priority resources, assigned to the 42nd Bombardment Wing. Protection is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to maintain mission readiness.
The law enforcement section provides continuous protection for the installation’s resources. Their mission includes entry/exit control, traffic control, civil disturbances control, confinement, and investigative functions. Additionally the unit provides complete base support in administrative security, resources protection, combat arms and registration services.
The unit had a long history of significant accomplishments and is especially attuned to the needs of the public. The orderly room was in Building 8420.
42ND STRATEGIC HOSPITAL / 811th Medical Group
Supporting the Wing mission by maintaining the physical and mental well being of all assigned military and dependent personnel was the primary concern of the base hospital. The hospital was Bldg 3500 and was a 20 bed inpatient facility offering a general medical, surgical and obstetrical care. Construction of a new hospital is currently underway with an expected completion date of November 1987. The move from the prior Green monster had no effect on the mission and continued to offer all services.
Specialties available included Internal Medicine, Optometry, Primary Care, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Mental Health and Radiology. This wide range of specialties enabled many conditions to be treated locally.
As in all hospitals the Emergency Room was staffed 24 hours to handle emergency cases. Ambulance availability is unrestricted on base, but off base response is permitted no further than the intersection of route 89 from either gate. Services also included a well stocked pharmacy and a clinical laboratory.
For Patient Advocate concerns CHAMPUS or any other medical administrative patients contacted the Patient Affairs on duty. Outpatient care was provided through the Primary Care Clinic and selected specialty clinics. Services were provided on an appointment basis. The hospital provided up to date care, and the staff ensured that your tour on Loring was a healthy and safe one.
811th Medical Group constituted, 20 Mar 1959 Activated, 1 Jul 1959
Redesignated USAF Hospital, Loring, 1 Oct 1970
Redesignated 42nd Strategic Hospital, 1 Jul 1987
Redesignated 42nd Medical Group, 1 Sep 1991 Inactivated, 30 Jun 1994
Activated, 1 Oct 1994
Loring AFB, ME, 25 Feb 1953-1 Jul 1959 Loring AFB, ME, 1 Jul 1959-30 Jun 1994
TENANT UNITS
AREA DEFENSE COUNSEL:
The Area Defense Counsel was located in Building 6000 and provided legal advise and assistance in military justice matters. This includes advice regarding Article 15’s and representation during court martial and administrative discharge boards.
766th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
27 November 1950, Caswell Air Force Station is located 4.3 miles north of Limestone Maine. It was one of 28 stations built as part of the second segment of the permanent Air Defense Command Network. July 11, 1950 U.S. Secretary of the Air Force asked the Secretary of Defense for approval to expedite construction for the second segment of permanent working unit. Approval came on July 21. The Army Corp of Engineers proceeded with construction.
There were difficulties with new production for radar equipment on site initially with it consisting of a pair of AN/FPS-10 radars from the closing site of Limestone Air Force Station (L-50) to expedite operational status. Was moved from temporary site to Caswell and assumed coverage and initially the station functioned as ground control and intercept warning station. It would pick up on unidentified intruders on the radar scopes. The designation was LP-80.
2192ND COMMUNICATIONS SQUADRON
The 2192nd Communications Squadron was the most diverse unit on Loring Squadron personnel are located throughout the base and at several off base locations. Manned with more than 240 highly trained people, the unit provides air traffic control services, weather equipment maintenance, airfield and en-route navigation aids maintenance computer support, and radio and ground communications (telephone) services to the 42nd Bombardment Wing, 42nd Combat Support Group, tenant organizations and to local Guard units, Radar Approach Control (RAP-CON) facilities also support airfield flight traffic in Caribou. Presque Isle and nearby New Brunswick, Canada. A vital part of the Air Force Communications Command, the men and woman of the 2192nd were involved in the operations and maintenance of every facet of base communications, data automation, and air traffic control in support of the SAC Emergency War Order Mission.
DETATCHEMENT 1, 5th FIGHTER INTERCETPOR SQUADRON:
February 18 Aerospace Defense Command activates Det 1, 49th FIS at Loring AFB.
This small Tactical Air Command detachment, comprised of 32 maintenance and support personnel, provides support for the F-15 air superiority pilots and aircraft of the 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D. An integral part of the Strategic Air Defense System, the detachment maintains two aircraft on continuous alert. Capable of immediate launch and working closely with ground radar controllers of both he U.S. and Canadian NORAD systems, the pilots provided the system with capability to intercept, identified aircraft penetrating the sovereign airspace of the United States and Canada.
DETACHMENT 2, 100th SATELLITE OPERATIONS GROUP:
Detachment 2 was one of two detachments assigned to the 100th Satellite Operations Group at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Det 2 supports the Group part of Space Command. In the providing of command control, of Defense Meterological Satellite Program satellites. The site was located in Caribou, Maine 10 miles from the base. July 24, 1972, Det 2, 54th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron arrived with five HH-3E Jolley Green Helicopters.
March 31 Det 2, 42nd BMW at Westover AFB, Massachusetts was inactivated.
DETACHMENT 7, 1st COMBAT EVALUATION GROUP:
Detachment 7, 1st Combat Evaluation Group, scored the weapons delivery accuracy of aircraft assigned to Loring and other SAC bases. The site was located 56 miles southwest of Loring and had 75 people assigned to it.
DETACHMENT 202, FIELD TRAINING DETACHMENT:
Was located in Building 5050, Detachment 202 was in the Air Training Command organization that functioned as a field unit under the Sheppard Training Center. The detachment provided technical instruction to assist the 42nd Bombardment Wing in requirements needed to accomplish its mission. Courses of instruction were offered on B52G and KC-135A aircraft and associated support equipment. The detachment provided an on the job training advisory service supporting OJT programs in the Air Force units within Northern Maine. The detachment office was located in Building 5050.
71st FLYING TRAINING WING:
The 71st Flying Training Wing’s Operations Location Gold was Loring’s Accelerated Copilot Enrichment (ACE) Program. The ACE Detachment’s home unit was located at Vance AFB, Oklahoma.
The ACE objective is to provide SAC copilots flying experience, strengthen their self confidence, and develop their judgment, maturity and decision-making skills. The ACE programs were and essential part of the copilot’s preparation to assume aircraft commander responsibilities in their primary mission aircraft.
Loring’s ACE detachment maintains five T-37 “Tweets” and, on average flies 200 sorties per month. The detachment does this with three permanent party instructor pilots and seven maintenance personnel. The ACE office was located in Base Operations in BLDG 8200.
27th FIGHTER SQUADRON:
On October 1, 1958 the 27th was transferred to Loring A.F.B. where it assumed an air defense role flying the F-106 Delta Dart in the Bangor Air Defense Sector. on October 1962, President John F. Kennedy told Americans that missiles were in place in Cuba, the squadron dispersed one third of its force, equipped with nuclear tipped missiles to Olmstead AFB at the start of the Cuban Missile Crisis. These planes returned to Loring after the crisis was over. A short stay for this Tennent unit staying till it was reassigned in 1971, it very much had a large part of history at Loring.
OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS:
The mission of the Detachment 106 Air Force Office of Special Investigations was to provide counterintelligence, fraud, criminal and special investigative services for the Air Force activities and to collect analyze and disseminate counterintelligence data. They were located in Building 3010
SACMET:
The mission objective of the United States Air Force and the Strategic Air Command must be met within statutory manpower limitations. SAC Management Engineering Teams (SACMET) operates at base level to serve as representatives of the major command manpower and organizations staff. As part of their function, the teams provide technical assistance to functional managers to improve productivity through on-site observations, manpower services, organizational services and management advisory services to base units for effective and efficient use of Air Force manpower resources. The SACMET office was in Building 3011
WEATHER:
Detachment 4, 26th Weather Squadron (Military Airlift Command) provides full 24 hour forecasting and observing services at Loring AFB, Base Weather was located in Building 8200.
Detachment 4 forecasters developed weather warnings and advisories when certain weather events threatened the base, and they provided tailored briefings to aircrews departing Loring. To determine expected weather conditions , they interpreted centrally produced charts from the Air Force Global Weather Central (at Offutt AFB, NE)and the National Weather Service, then applied several locally prepared tools. In addition to transmitting the forecast longline, they recorded it for non-operational purposes via telephone at ext. 28. Forecast services were also provided to a variety of military customers located in Bangor (Maine) Air National Guard Base.
The observers maintained constant watch from the representative observation site. Taking observations at least every half hour. The in-station observer provides direct forecaster support. This was especially important in monitoring the weather radar to detect approaching precipitation patterns. Det. 4 is one of only two Air Weather Services (AWS) units to report radar observations directly into the National Weather Service national radar net. Additionally Det. 4 was the only AWS unit in the CONUS to operate geomagnetic sensing equipment (magnetometer) in support of Space Environmental Support Systems (SESS)/USAF Precedence 1-1 operations.
DENTAL CARE
At one time there were two dental clinics on base. The main Dental Clinic was located in Bldg 6565 located adjacent to the NCO Club, and a small clinic provided dental care Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4”30 p.m. for authorized beneficiaries. A new dental clinic joined the new hospital and relocated all of the services into one larger clinic.
Every military member must visit the clinic for annual dental examinations. This includes a thorough dental examination, x-rays as neded and preventative dentistry program. Further appointments were set up immediately. Routine examinations for dependents were on the sponsors birth month. Necessary treatment was on a scheduled on a limited appointment basis and limited availability of types of care. Dependent dental care at loving was on space available (Space A), subject to mission requirements, availability of space, facility and personnel resources and the capability of the staff.
VETERINARY SERVICES:
Persons arriving on base were required within two weeks to register their privately owned dogs and cats with Veterinary Services. All pet vaccination records were to be brought in to the veterinary clinic at Bldg 6580 at the time of registration. Animals that were not up to date with vaccines were required to receive those vaccinations.
The base Veterinary clinic offered vaccinations, de-worming, and a wide range of diagnostics tests and treatments of any infectious disease to the Loring community. Other cases were referred to civilian veterinarians in the area. Clinic hours were Monday, Wednesday and Friday by appointment only. Animals with life and death emergencies were seen at any time.
CHAPEL
To most people the chapel was a building a special building. Chapel to people who participated at Loring involved religious education of the children and adults at loring. People sang in the choirs, people visited patients in the hospital, provided in home cooked meals, and deserts for those among us who usually dined in the base dining hall. Elections were held for positions and volunteers to head up various chapel groups and committees, people who served as LEM’s, readers, ushers, greeters, acolytes, people who do scores of quiet, unpublished deeds of loving concern. Without people participating in key positions the Chapel simply could not function.
The Loring Chapel offered a variety of worship opportunities. There was Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran and Jewish services on base. As well as High School Religious Education, Adult Education, and Contemporary services.
Services as well for, arrangement of baptism, communion, and weddings and other spiritual rites as well. The Chapel always welcomed the incoming military personnel and their families and looked forward to sharing in worship and sharing your faith in God, and the lord. No matter how it was done.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION:
The Public Affairs Division, a wing staff agency was tasked with keeping the base, the civilian public and the news media informed about Loring AFB. It performs the function through this internal community and media relations program.
Two of its most highly visible products are the guide to Loring, and the base newspaper the Limelite, published every Thursday. The Limelite provided a wealth of information about the base, the Strategic Air Command and the Air Force. The free swap shop advertisements were placed in the Limelite by military members, their dependents and retirees. The deadline was always Monday. Public Affairs was in Bldg 5100.
Public Affairs Community Relations programs scheduled tours of the base and speakers to educate and inform the public about the base and its mission. Those individuals who desire to speak in the local community were encouraged to contact the Public Affairs office to become part of the bases speaker bureau.
The Media Relations program tells the Air Force story through the news media. It is also the responsibility for answering news media queries and is the sole source of authorized information about the base.
SCHOOLS FOR DEPENDENTS
KINDERGARTEN:
Kindergarten students attended classes in two different sessions. Am program and pm program. Classes were at Damon on Loring AFB.
ELEMENTARY:
Grades one through five were at Damon School on Loring AFB. Classes were from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The school served hot lunch daily or students could bring lunch and purchase milk. Damon had some of the most qualified teachers and rated high in the State of Maine.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Students in grades 6 through 12 attended classes in Limestone High School. Nearly 75 percent of Limestone H.S. were from Loring. The students were bused daily to and from. Limestone had a staff of 55 classroom teachers and offered a full range of courses. It had eight major laboratories, provided practical work in the sciences, and offered languages in French and Spanish. Clubs and social organizations of various kinds are part of life at Limestone H.S. However there are no fraternities or sororities.
Sports minded students had a variety of intramural sports ranging from soccer, basketball, baseball, track, cross country, wrestling, and softball. There was also an Olympic size swimming pool and a quarter mile track.
A unique feature for students was the annual potato harvest on the calendar. Grades 9 -12 recessed in the latter part of September and ran three weeks long. This vacation does not affect accreditation as the school year had a full 180 teaching days. Last day of school usually fell in the first week of June.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
At the Educational Office the accent is on the individual needs. A wide variety of educational opportunities were offered to both military and their dependents as well as civilian personnel assigned to Loring. These programs lead to the awarding of vocational/technical certificates, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees and masters.
The Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute offered coursed in technical areas as well as introductory college level classes. Husson College offered courses leading to associate and baccalaureate degrees in the area of business. Majors included accounting, business administration, and general business. The University of Maine at Presque Isle offered courses in the areas of criminal justice, industrial technology, liberal studies, humanities, and behavioral sciences. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offered the bachelor of professional aeronautical degree. All institutions were fully accredited by regional accrediting associations and their on base courses considered “on campus” or “residential credit” ON base courses were offered on a twelve week term or semester. Day, evening and weekend classes were also available in Caribou and Presque Isle through NMVTI and UMPI.
Loring had four graduate programs The University of Denver conducted a 12-course program leading to a Masters of Science degree in systems management. Ebry-Riddle Aeronautical University offered three graduate programs. The Master of Aeronautical Science was designed for the aviation professional who saw a career in technical sphere of aviation. The University of Maine offered a Masters of Public Administration degree. This program was designed to prepare people for administrative careers in government and non profit organizations.
The Education Center provided a fully staffed testing service, to include aptitude testes, CLEP, and DANTES Exams, the SAT and the ACT. As well as LSAT and GRE. The Community College of the Air Force enrolled military active duty personnel in more then 80 two year degree programs, that lead to degrees in Associates in Applied Science. CCAF also provided transcripts for all Air Force affiliated technical schools. Military personnel could qualify for commissioning programs. Education office was located in Bldg 6000.
FAMILY SERVICES:
The Family Service Center was on base to assist military members adjusting to new locations. You could find temporary household items such as dishes, appliances, cots, baby items and more at the Family Services Lending Closet. Military Members of E4 and below could get needed household goods at no cost to them or dependents at the Airman’s garage. They were located at the Corey Center. The Corey Center was located at Bldg 6100.
DINING FACILITY:
Loring had a major dining facility at Dahlgren Hall. Thie hall was named after a Maine native Edward Dahlgren who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for action in WWII. The chow hall featured ala carte, a main line, and a short order line. It also featured a large salad bar.
CHILD CARE:
The Corey Center had services on base for the working parents. There were four separate functions here. Pre-School, Child Care, the USDA Food Program, among others. Pre-school served 120 children. Child Care served about 110 per day. The Center was operational for nearly 90 hours per week. It had a large gym and a gross motor skills room.
BANKING:
The building for banking was at the corner of Texas and Wisconsin Roads in BLDG 5005. Services included IRA’s, Trusts, Installment Loans, Student Loans, revolving credit lines, MasterCard and and ATM. The bank went under many different names while housed at Loring. The County Federal Credit Union was located on Sawyer Road just outside the west gate. And in Caribou and Presque Isle.
COMMISSARY:
The Commissary was located in Bldg 8700. It had a floor space of 19,000 feet. It was stocked with more then 7,500 food and household items.
EXCHANGE:
The Maine Exchange Shopping Mall was designed as a one stop shopping to include a Beauty Shop, Barber Shop, Video Rental, Flower Shop, and Optical Shop. The Exchange provided a wide variety of merchandise and was committed to selling only first quality merchandise at the best prices possible. The Exchanged offered and overall savings of 20%. AAFES also provided you with merchandise and services but funded your morale and recreation activities. The Exchange also had services to include the Service Station, Laundromat, Theater, and Food Facilities.
CLOTHING SALES:
The clothing sale was for the military man and woman. A clothing allowance for uniforms was issued to you when you entered the Air Force. But those clothes were not designed to last forever, so a yearly allowance was given. Located in the Main BX the store offered a complete line of authorized Air Force items in most sizes. If you needed special clothing or footwear it was ordered at no additional cost.
CLASS VI STORE:
The Class VI Store was located across from the Commissary. It had a large range of beverages for dining and special occasions, and get together.
BOTTLE REDEMPTION:
The State of Maine required deposits on all carbonated beverage containers. Redemption of them was done here and deposits were cheerfully refunded.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES:
Loring had a large array of activities both indoor and outdoor. Whispering Pines Recreation Center provided a meeting place for young airmen as well as community activities. Ticket and Tour Information Center was located in the Center. The Outdoor Adventure Program was based at the Ski Chalet. They offered workshops in hiking, backpacking, fishing, first aid, survival skills, mountaineering, bicycling, camping and sea kayaking. Malabeam Lake Area had 13 private tables, pavilions, and Green Law Pond. Camping Areas were available and there were 18 spaces. It had complete hook-ups, and showers. Both FAMCAMP and tenting spaces were available at Malabeam Lake, Chapman Pit, and Green Law Pond. Dow Pines was in Aurora Maine about 200 miles from Loring. It had 2 lodges, 5 cabins, and a tenting area. This was on a 375 acre reserve. Loring had a Swimming Pool, Youth Center, Physical Fitness Center Field House, and Jucuzzi. Loring boasted two light up ball fields, one multi purpose field that was lit, and outdoor track.
LORING GYM:
Loring had a very large and modern gym on the base. The base had a gym large enough for field hockey and basketball. It had changing rooms for men and woman as well as hot tubs and saunas. It had 2 racketball courts and held many different events, tournaments and base wide sports for men and woman, as well as youth. Loring had many teams that were base teams that played in the downtown area as well as traveled to take on the Air Force at other bases.
LORING LIBRARY:
Loring had a free standing public library for anyone on the base to use. It had a large assortment of books and videos for rental, or check out. Many people came to read, check out books, look at newspapers, and magazines as well as a just meet. Many Airman in the dorms would use this as a place to get away from the dorms. The library was located near the base theater.
MWR:
Morale Welfare and Recreation was located in Bldg 7610. They had outdoor sports equipment for rental from boats to motors, fishing, tenting and hiking equipment. Loring had a Bowling Center that had 22 lanes and was one of the most modern in the area. It housed a pro shop, and snack bar as well. Library Services were a busy place with all the schools and learning that occurred on Loring. Arts and Crafts had a very busy building, offering classes in framing, arts, ceramics, woodworking, leather-making, glass cutting, a photo lab and much more. They also had a resale shop and a small gift shop. Loring had a busy Movie Theater that was top grade for its time. Showing movies on once screen with shows on Thursday-Sundays.
WINTER SPORTS:
Loring had a downhill ski slope located at Ski Chalet. There was also a lighted skating rink in the same area, and the chalet could be used to host events. Loring hosted trips for skiers to Rig Rock Ski Area in Mars Hill as well as to Canada at Mount Farlagne in Edmundston, New Brunswick. Slopes were also open in Presque Isle, Van Buren and Fort Kent. Cross Country Skiing was offered at the Golf Course. Grooming was kept up and the trails were open during daytime hours and rental at a nominal hourly price. Northern Maine Snowmobile Trails system was one of the most extensive in the country. Trail maps could be used to go from one end of Aroostook to the other.
AUTO SHOP:
Located in Bldg 6470 this was shop for the self mechanic The shop had nine working stalls and an engine analyzer, wheel balancing, and lubrication stalls, two wash stalls, one hydraulic lift, one engine room, one welding room, a spray paint booth and a motor parts resale shop. It hosted a full line of tools as well.
GOLF:
The Inland Winds Golf Course was just one-half mile northeast of the West Gate entrance to the base. The Course offered a nine hole, par 72 golfers paradise. Equipment was at the club house at a nominal fee. They offered monthly and annual green fees at reasonable prices. Manual and riding golf carts were available. As well as a fully stocked snack bar and an area for hosting private parties for rent.
NCO CLUB:
The Noncommissioned Officers Club offered a wide variety of programs suited to every tasted and designed to meet the wants of the members. Club 42 offered membership cards as well as the NCO club and this offered entry into the Main Club. And could be used at other bases. Enlisted Personnel from all ranks were given entry to the NCO club as well as civilians up to GS-7. The Club had a main dining room, lounge, ballroom with a disco and recorded music. It had a deli and sandwich and ice cream shop. The International Room was downstairs in the back of the club, and offered Italian, and a complete line of Mexican food. They also delivered on base and special parties could be booked here. Club 42 had game night and live entertainment. It also had one of the most extensive and well balanced wine lists available anywhere.
OFFICERS CLUB:
The Officers Club was short walk from the Visiting Officers Quarters and the Unaccompanied Officers Quarters. There was a soup and sandwich line and a full ala carte menu with specials through the week. The Officers club hosted entertainment and Recreation for all Club members and transient officers as well. Club cards were available and were welcome at other Clubs Air Force wide.
PISTOL RANGE:
This was available to personnel earlier on in the 1950's to 1960's era. A small Rod and Gun club would meet here to shoot and enjoy. This was held in the small arms building on Loring A.F.B.
All data herein was compiled by Cuppy Johndro