New life could be on the horizon for former Loring Air Force Base

[@nickyleblanc4200]

The absolute best assignment I had in my twenty years in the USAF. I wish them the best!

[@princessmorning5332]

Meee tooo!

[@johnshackford]

Should have never closed the East coast SAC bases. If the Air Force were smart they would reopen it for the war we all know is coming. Best assignment I had was Grand Forks with the 319th OMS and Kadena. with the 909th ARS.

[@Tom-h8q]

In the 80s I was stationed at Blytheville AFB,Ar working on B-52s. After 5.5 years I tried to get orders to Loring AFB as I was from New England. Due to cutbacks in our military my request was denied so I left the Air Force two months later near end of 6 yr enlistment. Moved to the white mtns in NH, been here ever since.

[@nordan00]

Flew into Loring commercial from Mather via Boston in the dead of winter, ‘88, to pick up a BUFF to ferry back to Mather. It was cold and gloomy, but we did have some great steak and lobster while we were there!

[@nordan00]

@@mattmann5620 Well, after Mather, I PCS’ed to Griffiss for 5 years, though it had to be much better than Loring! Great Italian food and sub shops!

[@RitaElaineHeltonBarker-uz4sz]

I think the federal government is totally ignorant for shutting down Loring Air Force Base

[@muffs55mercury61]

Or any of them. Right now our enemies will look at it as a weakness.

[@danielroque8504]

BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) in the early 90s was a welcome/un welcomed time, depends who is paying the bills...Russia wanted to be friends and George Sr. believed them, so, the decision makers decided to close multiple bases. I was stationed at two in Europe, our mission was high tempo, and we shook are heads when we heard the news of closures.

[@bigboots6114]

@@danielroque8504 this happened during clinton yrs in office

[@The_Federalist76]

Loring AFB was first targeted for closure in 1976, the new administration sought to control defense cost by continuing the closing of large SAC bases in New England such as Loring, Dow, Westover, and Pease - Minuteman missiles were a far less cost to maintain than a bomber wing. But the primary justification for Loring was at that time it was under review; DoD noted the base's poor condition in several reports. In 1976 it was estimated that Loring AFB needed nearly $300 million in improvements. However, as Soviet aggression grew between 1976 and 1979, including their invasion of Afghanistan, debates in Washington took place over the strategic importance of Loring AFB that resulted in a reversal of the Air Force decision to close the base. When the decision to keep Loring AFB open was made in 1979, the Congress committed itself to upgrading the base facilities. Nearly $300 million in military construction and operations and maintenance (O&M) funds were spent to upgrade the facilities at Loring AFB. BRAC was the fairest approach for working with Congress and local elected officials to close installations that were deemed "excess capacity” (with the Soviet Union dissolved, there was no longer a need for the United States to maintain 400+ strategic bombers). Therefore, from 1988 thru 91, the Secretary of Defense, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Air Force, identified Strategic Air Command (SAC) bases for closure. Loring Air Force Base, in Limestone Maine, was one of the bases on the closure lists, as were Pease, Plattsburg, Mather, Wurtsmith, Eaker, and Castle.

[@johnshackford]

@@danielroque8504 Loring was closed during the Clinton administration. Her bombers were sent to the bone yard and her tankers were sent to create the three super tanker bases, Grand Forks, McConnel and Fairchild. I was at Grand Forks when they closed Loring I was also deployed with quite a few folks from Loring During Desert Storm. I said the same thing. Their decision to consolidate all their bases is now proving to be a major liability for them. They need to disperse the fleet but now they don't have anywhere to disperse them too unless they want to build brand new bases. i said the same thing when they closed Brunswick naval air station as well now their subchasers have to fly from Florida to patrol the northern Atlantic adding hours to their flight time. Remember they also did a major drawdown of personnel as well offering 15yr retirements and the like. That left the Air force short handed with the same amount of ops tempo. Of course they are still making stupid choices that is going to leave them short of people and resources when they finally decide to take on Putin directly. SMDH.

[@gordon-n6s]

I spent a month in training at Loring summer of 1965. It is very remote from anywhere else and winters doubtless brutal with then 65 pieces of snow removal equipment necessary to ensure operations and underground passage ways to connect the buildings. Closure has been the story of most of these former SAC bases across the country as bombers, refuelers and missels became surplus with the end of the Cold War.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Many of them likely ended up in my former home state at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ but some were later reactivated. With the world being so unsteady now it would be a good idea not to do any scrapping for the time being. The B-52 will be around as long as we're alive.

[@charleshaggard4341]

@@muffs55mercury61 Yep, they are still at Barksdale AFB which is about 50 miles from me. I love to watch them take off and land when I go over there from time to time. Hard to believe that they are still around 60 years later and as you say, they'll be around for at least another 40 years.

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@charleshaggard4341 One of my favorite movies when growing up was "Bombers B-52" which came out in 1957 and frequently shown on TV in the years after. Seeing the B-47s, the KC-97 tankers (we had a fleet of those in Phoenix, AZ til 1977) & of course the B-52s and in color was neat.

[@taproom113]

I'm a Navy guy ... but thanx to a little school I went to about 80 miles northwest of Brunswick, I have a soft spot in my heart for Loring AFB. All the Best Wishes for success in its redevelopment ... BZ! ^v^

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I went there not long after I first joined the Air Force. As a single person, it could be desolate, but for those with a family, it was probably the best in the Air Force along with Pease.

[@RacerX1971]

Was stationed there in 1981 and got there in December and cold as faq. Beautiful country, nice people and would cross the border to Canada..then would hang out in the Quebec province area..yes, fond memories

[@larryhudlemeyer2617]

Here's to us and those like us....SAC's finest....gone but not forgotten! K.I. Sawyer AFB 1974-1984

[@Nyet103]

Grand Forks AFB when i was there 86-87. Now its a shell of its former self .

[@SandiRamirez-uq6eu]

My husband was in the Air Force. We were stationed there for 7 years. Our daughter was born there. Coming from Brooklyn, N.Y. and a young girl, just starting a dream job on wall street, moving there was like a culture shock to me. Now, 40 years later, my dream would be to live there again.The peace and solitude there is very special. It was a shame though, they just built a new hospital, dental clinic,BX, commissary, brand new base housing, we had a beautiful home.and more. What a waste. Very sad.

[@smithnyiu]

Same here. I spent 8 years there. Married a local girl, my son was born in the new hospital. Wasn't that thrilled to get orders there, but in a short time fell in love with the base, and would love to live there today. I spent most of my time in the woods or on the water, hunting and fishing. Love the area, the people, even the weather. Miss it so much.

[@Cantsaydog]

Political BS is why they closed it no reason to close it after building brand new stuff

[@badguy1481]

Ditto for us at K.I. Sawyer AFB near Marquette Mi.

[@E.T.GARAGE]

I was stationed there back in the late 70's, it would be a big help for the local area if they could bring in new business.

[@byoh100]

Sad to watch this after being stationed there 1961-65, being single I still enjoyed my time at Loring, although winters were a challenge.

[@lovejen01]

Should reopen Loring, shut down those installations overseas that don't serve a purpose.

[@troycorbin3890]

I worked for my dad and we wired the new runaway lighting and we also did all the underground wireing for the ramp refueling project that was a project that we worked on as they were closing the base they had a contract and all work was completed and paind for

[@robk1310]

I hope it works out. I also think a portion of the base could be made onto a base camp for sportsman. I can see hunting and fishing tours that are based there. Bring in sportsmen and women from around the country and the world.

[@plane_guy6051]

Big Game hunting could be a giant business. A new creature could be created, half Grizzly Bear and half Elephant, so it would be big and mean and could withstand the cold climate, it could be called a Grizzaphant. Set up the base so hunters could bunk together in rooms and tell hunting and ghost stories, bring 'em in from all over the world to shoots Grizzaphants -- they could even have the Grizzaphants stuffed and flown back to their mansions and put on display in their billiard halls and smokin' rooms. I like the idea!

[@Stevonoles1]

Never heard of this airfield, but good luck to them!

[@percentage1]

Wonderful opportunities for folks up North.

[@rossreed9974]

Hope this works out for Maine, as a SAC Warrior from out West I'd love to see the old Base used in aviation once again.

[@panhandlemikee5573]

I remember doing WinterFest(?) at the old hanger at Loring in 1959 or 1960. I was in the fifth grade there at Damon Elementary. It was just a great place to be a kid.

[@HotDawgzzzzz]

I'm glad they are trying to keep planes there, the base I grew up next to was doing that too until Kansas City decided to fund the downtown airport over funding the Base, so the closed it down, which was the dumbest idea ever due to the base not only still having a military presents from the Army, Navy, and Marines . Not only that it held the annually KC Airshows after the base closing, but had a tradition in having some of the best put together Air Shows that I have been to and I have been too many .

[@lastone2074]

WICKED DECENT NEWS FOR THE COUNTY,AYUH 🌲🌲🌲 🦞

[@shawnbegay7220]

The one thing I remember about this base is that it was one of the first to be targeted for nuclear attack in the 1983 film, "War Games". As I listen to this report, I feel as though I am the subject as I have 'Loring' as a middle name.

[@CaoimhinOMaol]

The place being at “the far end of nowhere” it becomes what you make of it. The people on- and off-base really make it. I could have been happy at Loring. SAC had the “gift” of putting bases in remote corners, e.g. Glasgow, MT, Minot and Grand Forks, etc. I hope it works out for the area.

[@davef.2329]

Looks like a good fit would be an airfreight hub and sort facility, as well. Perform due diligence on the pre-existing environmental issues with the grounds before accepting any ownership responsibilities, though.

[@kevindelaney1951]

Best wishes for Loring.

[@55Reever]

Sacramento, California area lost McClellan AFB, Mather AFB and the Sacramento Army Depot due to BRACC at about that same time. Opportunities to reuse these facilities were available, but those options didn't suit the local politicians trying to line their pockets.

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

Having never been farther East than Arizona, and wanting to see more of the U.S., I chose Loring on my "dream sheet" in basic training.

[@WESTMALLEMAN]

The fact that it is so close to Europe must be a key element in any redevelopment.

[@fw1421]

It’s already there yea,but it’ll take a ton of money to renovate the runways and hangars. I wish them good luck.

[@MultiCconway]

The once Loring AFB should become a JOINT Base with representatives from all services. Loring is the Northern most base in CONUS and at present we have the Russians standing their WESTLANT Patrol Area back up with nuclear submarines, and the U.S. Navy needs to recover the capability given up when NAS Brunswick was reallighned. The U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army are going to the Arctic on a regualr basis, and this is the closest point to Greenland in CONUS. Facilities should be invested in for specific defense missions in support or GUIK Gap, Arctic, and Northern CONUS operations.

[@badguy1481]

How about K.I. Sawyer AFB near Marquette, Mi? Stationed there in the early 1970's. Went back a few years ago. Depressed about the upkeep.

[@jamesparker6017]

Coral Gables 🌴🇺🇸 Same thing for OTIS Air Force base up on ole Cape Cod. Sad , hopefully re open ? ? 🏄

[@robertkeaney7047]

Good investment until you find out it is basically a Superfund toxic clean up site, and YOU OWN IT!

[@AzrealMaximus]

Shhhh🤐we do not speak his name😑😒😏

[@chrism9976]

LDA needs to turn over the Arch Hanger to the museum for preservation before it rots. There's only 2 of them in the country..

[@HazzyME]

They have told us that here for 30 years. All hopes and dreams and…..nada

[@manuelcajuguiran9093]

I was TDY @ Loring in .74.

[@Daniel-dz5jb]

The only AFB that you can't get there from here.

[@EJP-ru1xs]

Best wishes

[@brandondoty8211]

A large portion of this base neeeeeds to be a paintball facility. The patina the base has makes its beautiful in a way. Aside from the roads... Fix the roads...

[@thecameramantraveler4830]

so will there be a chance to reopen loring as a commercial and cargo airport? I really would like for something like that to happen

[@Diddley-js6lf]

Fort Kent as Well

[@BoomVang]

I found a map of my dads of where Russian submarines tended to loiter off Canada, a short missile flight from Loring. So if war had started like during Cuban missile crises, our planes would scramble while the Rusky missiles rain down. P.S. the introduction of snowmobiles in late 60's made Loring a more exciting place. Buzz over the golf course and farmers fields out of sight of the gate guards.

[@Ghostrider-71]

The potential clean up and renovation bill could be astronomical.

[@dukeford]

All the more reason to keep it closed.

[@IanCthrwd]

Dont let out of state civilian developers get their greedy hands on this property. Mainers will regret it.

[@alfredbisson9997]

Visited brother there in 1963

[@frankcherry3810]

Good to hear

[@J.Ariola-b2l]

Why would they close it

[@Kyle-mo7tq]

Doesn't the jobcorps on base use a section of the runaway for their cdl training because i used to practice in front of the hangers in 2017 -2018 when i was there for training

[@user-ki3zf3tk9c]

Let's not forget Lincoln AFB Nebraska.

[@MrKen-wy5dk]

I don't watch YT ads.

[@ContentCop0703]

I work a Loring Job Corps, and this would be fantastic for the local area. We could include a program for the school and train students on sight for the new Jet fuel refinery job. This could be almost as big as when the base was open

[@johnwight6041]

Why is it a private airport? Looks like you cannot land here unless you get prior permission

[@flycatchful]

It is all about location.

[@LucidDreamer54321]

Thumbs up if you were stationed at Loring.

[@JRayShovelpig]

Phishland!.. amusement park and concert venue!

[@MtnManLucas]

Question: The airbase was Federal property. It cost the taxpayers a huge amount of money to build. At decommissioning who got the deed to the property? If it is privately owned will it be sold back to the US government at a huge profit? Costing the US taxpayers again? Those in the know often speculate…

[@ralphbuschman3364]

I have to wonder if the states politics are part of the problem?

[@DougPoulton]

I was thinking the same thing. Why would any investor want to put up money in an area so remote with all the taxes, restrictions and regulations of a democrat governor.

[@FredFlintstone-ts4mq]

Why not ask your federal delegation to ask President Trump to relocate a federal Dept. from DC area to Loring?

[@phlogistanjones2722]

Ohhhhh........... Biofuels.... Well... I am very sorry for your loss but that dog won't hunt.

[@johnsilver977]

🪖☢️

[@Peter-od7op]

I was at loring and the local hates us they can go sssss themselves hope it stay closed.

[@eddiehaskell5578]

Your right. The locals did hate us. They all cried 😢like babies when we left and took the money 💴 with us. 😊

[@bluskytoo]

Maine locals hate everyone lol

[@stuartdavis798]

Come on! I was stationed there and had no problem with the locals and I don't know of anyone in my squadron (407ARS) that did either. Judging by your hatred in your comment maybe they weren't the problem?

[@Peter-od7op]

@ lol now let them see how good they had. It also maine went for bidin enough said

[@J.Ariola-b2l]

That is a good looking female reporter

[@sunnyside9988]

Aero space in freezing weather does not mix remember the Challenger. I loved Loring but none of this is practical.

[@roynajecki1100]

Challenger explosion was caused by failure of the rubber O-rings on the solid rocket booster. Challenger itself, and all the space shuttles, were designed to operate in the absolute temperature of space (minus 455 degrees) and Maine is much warmer than space. So all the space shuttles could safely land at Loring. But launching vehicles into space from Loring is problematic not only because of temperatures but because launches closer to the equator are much more efficient for orbital missions.

[@terranceroff8113]

we gotta bunch of folk unemployed and homeless out in CA that are good workers.. they just need a place to work. feel free to grab a couple thousand or so.. love to see 'em turned back into tax payers!

[@DougPoulton]

There's no such thing as a homeless good worker in California. Why would they want to leave as long as the state continues to give them money for dope?

[@bobbyaustin8478]

Pease AFB NH,

[@jeanleonhardt]

bORING lORING

[@shephusted2714]

why are they so driven to revive it is the real question - it is in the middle of nowhere, polluted and a marginal proposition to begin with - the only hope is for them to be under the auspices of the federal govt, it should be low on the priority list since the fate of this area is out of their hands for the most part, instead they should shift focus to local more sustainable opportunities that affect the populace and look at the former afb as a playground for the feds and monied developers - the risks are too great, the potential opportunities provided too low until there are more serious and tenable plans #risk adverse #unreliable historians #carrot and stick #empty promises #unfavorable terms #niche markets #LORING AIR FORCE BASE | Superfund Site Profile

[@ctfinneman]

If you live in an area where the only thing they have going on is a military base, MOVE!

[@LucidDreamer54321]

Boring Loring

[@jazzechos1372]

wont happen

[@Peter-od7op]

I spent 4 years at loring hated it. The locals hated us hope they go down in flames. Yes when open they had tons of jobs but hated us air force guys. Hope you dont get any jobs.

[@GH-oi2jf]

Maybe they just hated the ones who behaved badly, as some young military men do.

[@Peter-od7op]

@@GH-oi2jf true but dont treat all like shit

[@giveitathink6749]

Us? I spent 10 years at Loring and loved it. Never had an issue with the locals. Many locals work there. It was probably you Peter.

[@Peter-od7op]

@@giveitathink6749 i was not alone most felt the same way

[@byoh100]

That’s not at all what I found at Loring, the locals were very receptive to us G.I.’s. I was there for my entire 3.5 years of active duty. I wouldn’t trade my time in Northern Maine for anything. I knew a lot of troops that hated it, but when asked if they ever went into town and attempted to meet people, they said NO. I rest my case!

[@laqutis]

Knock the base down in it's entirety. Start from scratch.

[@jamessimms415]

Why spend $5-10 billion when the runway & buildings are already there? Most can be repurposed.

[@stuntmanmike37]

It's literally in the middle of God forsaken nowhere. No legitimate investor wants to sink money into a site that far away from civilization. You might as well build your airplane overhaul depot/green fuel refinery thing or whatever in Antarctica.

[@giveitathink6749]

So angry. You should hang out with Peter.

[@billywaylls]

Same ol shit. Absolutely useless for Aroostook & the times. Repairing aircraft would be incredible for us. The rest is B.S. That guy has pocketed the money from this place for too long. Look @ him, no shame. But he ain't hungry is he? Looks like he like to tip em back too. No judgment....Anyone with half a brain & a bunch of money could turn that place into the money Makin, people lovin, job creating, entertainment attracting, jet flying, food eating, commerce helping, WOOO. Place in the world. But we get this guy. 😢😂😢😢😢 Glad he's Makin it✌️💚🤘#billywaylls @billywaylls @4.20.7Studios