I was discharged and left Loring in 1965 and have returned 4 times since. My first visit was in 1969 with my family. I have returned 3 additional times since for reunions with my Squadron buddies. All have been sad returns, seeing the base abandoned, not at all the way I left it. I thought the base would always be there, it’s difficult to describe the feelings experienced through the closure. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Loring, there was a special camaraderie among the troops at that time. Thanks for posting Cuppy.
I was stationed at Loring AFB from Sept of 1962 to Jan of 1966 in the 23MMS (Munition Maintenance Squadron). My teammates and I loaded (and downloaded after missions) nuclear warheads in hundreds of these missiles.
When the hound dog was phased out , I was assigned to the 28th FMS welding shop at Ellsworth AFB, SD. We were tasked with cutting out the guidance system in the jet engine intake.
I was in the 42nd SPS and spent many days in that WSA... That entrance to the WSA has a lot of funny memories...The most important thing in that entrance building was the coffee maker...I had to be trained to make the coffee..Per. my Sargent.. Then there was the task of inspecting the vehicles coming into the area with the mirror on the end of the pole to look under the vehicles...Big fun in the cold...Besides that building there was only one other building we would stay in and that was were the fire team stayed..If you were lucky you would get that post for the day and you could sit and watch TV all day until chow came or they had a exercise and you had to go address the situation. Each area had one of those building were there was a fire team posted with a peace keeper..Normally the officer of the day would come by and you had to say hello or in some cases "Report". It was always a good time...If you were lucky enough to get one of the post guarding the fence (Sarcasm) Sitting staring at the fence was very boring and art of the job. They never mention that part and the black flies out at that WSA were unrelenting..You had a few two many posts at the WSA and some one man posts. A few of those one man post were in a very shabby wood shacks..A window facing the fence. No chair and you were not suppose to read anything while on post.. You really did not know what or where you would be until you went to the armory for guard mount and read the print out of what post you would have before your shift started.
I recall that it had structural damage after the earthquake. I recommended to MR. Kelly, at the ski chalet, that they should use the debris to extend the hill. Some of that is buried at the top.
Great to hear these stories after researching Loring throughout the years.Great job on the video.Ever found any video of the closure of Loring?Archival news footage?I've heard stories from people there at the time while I was was while I was on active duty in the early 2000s.They were there to close it down in 1994 and one recalled doing an interview with a local news crew.
They cancelled the direct flights from Boston to Presque Isle. I'm NOT getting on in Boston flying to either NJ or Cleveland first and then heading north. What a pity.
My family arrived at Loring in August, 1955, the base was brand new and they were still building to complete the base. I turned seven the month we get there and lived there until March, 1961. We lived at 181 Mehan Dr. for the first two years and 20 Owens Dr. for the rest of the time. Both Damon Elementary and Harrison Elementary were so new that we had to wait a year for Harrison to open. Coming from Southern California it was certainly a major transition for our family but we loved it. It was an amazing place to be a little kid, the woods were the perfect playground and the base had wonderful amenities for kids too. Our family had the fondest memories of Loring, I still think of it often.
I worked on the Hound Dogs in the 19thAMMS 1972-1976 Warner Robins Ga. I am wondering why they choose to display one without an engine. The AGM 28 launched with the engines attached,that is the only way they could get to the target. Wierd to me??
Reggie Ouillette is my grandfather... I am proud of his involvement in preserving the history of this site and the years of work he and my dad and uncle did there.
That is awesome to hear!!! Please be sure to share this with your family!!! I am proud to have worked with Reggie for the last 13 years!! What a great guy!
This brings back so many memories, I worked on these 66 to 70 at Loring, Warner Robins and Dow AFB. The hanger maint folks got them ready, we towed them out to the flight line and uploaded them to the B52, attached with big bolts in the front and a pin in the back of the pylon. I remember laying back against the rudder and directing the guys on the ground to align the rear pin hole that held the rear to the B52. Hook up those big cannon plugs with about a hundred pins that connected the Hound Dog to the electrical of the bomber, fire the jet up and run the systems. My ears still ring from the noise. I would give anything to do it again!
Was stationed there for about seven months in 1970. Volunteered to go to Vietnam to get away from a base that had seemingly been forgotten by the Pentagon. Facilities were in terrible repair. I got a big kick out seeing Bill Cowan on this video. I was stationed with him at Pease, NH in the late 70s. He looks and sounds exactly like he did 40 years ago.
Loring AFB was open in 1953 and closed in 1994. Thank you to all those that lived worked and served on Loring. Thank you for helping us preserve the memories of the base. More videos like this will be coming along. If you liked this please be sure to share with those no on facebook. Send it to them via email or sit with them and show them this. Thank you. If your in the area of Aroostook County and I have time and you do, I would love to save your story for historical value! Thank you all for watching.
OUR NAVY SON CAME HOME AND SURPRISED THE DOGS!! HE MISSED THEM SO MUCH AND THEY MISSED HIM TOO. CHRIS WITH GAP THE WHITE JACK RUSSELL AND BRONX THE DASCHUND.
What an amazing tribute to Ann through the years! It shows how much she meant to everyone, her battle and her triumphs! Thank You Cuppy for a small glimpse of her life! God's Speed Ann and you will be forever missed!
Some nice imagery to remind me of my high school days there (Limestone HS alumn), I remember events with the boy scouts at the Arch Hangar, what a huge hangar (designed for the B-36 if I remember right). We were there from 78-83 on Loring Drive, I think the house we lived in is gone now, at least from what I can tell from Google maps satellite view. Live in SoCal now, and have to laugh when people complain about cold in the winter. They have no idea. Thanks for the video, would love to see more.
