LIMESTONE, Maine — For more than five decades the former Loring Air Force Base was a city unto itself with a population close to 10,000 and its own hospital, stores, recreational facilities and power generators.
Now, 18 years after the last KC-135 refueling jet took off from the milelong flight line, some of those who once called the base home think it’s high time to get together again.
Loring Reunion 2012 Aug. 24-26 is open to “All Loring veterans, civilians, friends and military brats,” according to Cuppy Johndro, event co-chairwoman. “Anyone who ever served, worked, was affiliated or is just interested in the base is welcome.”
The August reunion marks the first time since the base closed in 1994 a gathering has been planned, according to Johndro who was stationed at the base from 1987-1990.
Her husband, Terry Johndro, also served at Loring from 1987 to 1994.
Loring was a Strategic Air Command military base and crucial to the country’s defense due to its proximity to the European continent.
Over the years bombers, fighters and supply planes came and went through Loring in support of the country’s actions throughout the Cold War era, the Vietnam War, Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
In 1991 Loring was among six strategic air bases slated for closure by the Secretary of Defense.
“A lot of people have been asking about a reunion over the years,” Johndro said. “We figured it was time since a lot of the old buildings have come down.”
To date there is no formal schedule of reunion events except for a dinner and dance Saturday night, Aug. 25, and a BBQ lunch the next day.
Preregistration is required for the dinner dance, catered by Amato’s in Presque Isle, to provide organizers with an accurate head-count.
“We have some other events and things in the works,” Johndro said. “We will be announcing them as they are confirmed.”
The Loring Military Heritage Center will be open for visitors along with the flight line, weapons storage area and hangers.
“A lot of the areas the police and security used to shoo you away from will be open,” Johndro said.
So far Johndro said she has received registrations from former Loring personnel now in Colorado, Texas, South Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Canada and around New England.
With the closing of Loring, the surrounding area lost not only the 10,000 people stationed there, but the additional 10,000 civilians with jobs supported by the base.
“That had a huge economic impact,” Johndro said. “It was like a boomtown going bust.”
Beyond economics, she said, were the personal connections at Loring.
“It was really a family-oriented base,” she said. “Everyone watched out for each other and whenever someone was deployed we watched out for the families left on the base.”
In nearly two decades Johndro said a lot has been lost on the base and those who have not been back for a number of years may be surprised by what is gone.
“There is not a lot to see that you used to see,” she said. “But there is still that connection we have to the place and to each other and that’s why we want to have this reunion.”
The Loring Reunion 2012 committee has set up an online registration form in addition to a presence on Facebook.
For information Johndro said she can be reached at redcuppy@hotmail.com or by calling 207-551-3439.
i’d like info on the UFO incident
Google it……….
Was most likely a helicopter.
It’s a shame our population size restricts our representation on the national level. We might have been able to fight harder to get Loring off the BRAC list. Closing it was a mistake.
Whether or not we like it, we continue to be involved in the middle east and Loring was a perfect jumping off point.
Beyond that, Loring was great for our economy.
it’s a great idea. now could someone tell me what loring’s role in WWII was if it wasn’t dedicated until 1953. Now i suppose from Bangor/south it might be easy to get the presue isle air base( used during the lend/lease period of WWII) but c’mon. it’s not that hard to get a few facts correct is it? we owe these Airmen and soldiers(air defense sites) at least that.
Construction began in 47 with dedication in 53. Definitely no role in WWII.
It was for the Cold War. Lend/lease would’ve been like a supply depot for material that would stay in England, not for bombing missions. WWII needed bases closer to their targets (ie Europe/Japan) than anything we have here could’ve offered.
OOOOH will they have B-52s there???
I will be there. I served at Loring in the late 70’s early 80’s and made it such an impression on me that I moved to Maine when I got out. Shouldn’t have closed it. Did all kinds of repairs in the early 90’s just to pull the plug. It has really tanked since they closed it. Not much in the way of utilization going on up there and alot of decay. Suppose it is the way of our government. Waste is a way of life. Never the less, it is good to see that it may be gone, but not forgotten because after all, it has a pretty substantial place in Maine history.
my cousin served there 3 tours years ago. i used to deliver freight and furmiture to the base too. I was up there in feb this year, and I could hardly believe my eyes having temembered all that was there when it was still SAC. and Yes I agree, they NEVER should have closed it. or BNAS either, and I’m sure we will live to regret it before it’s over. But a reunion is a great idea. Im planning to go Lord willing.
The government did the same thing with Dow Air Force Base. Built a mile of runway for the larger aircraft, built Capehart for housing for the service personnel, and then closed the base. That left a big hole in the census of Bangor when they all left too. Hard to understand the governments thinking.
Its such a shame that it ever closed. Just chalk it up to another BONE HEADED decision by our government.. Happens all the time that they may decisions on our behalf that only come back to bite us in the butt.
I’m planning on being there…scoping out what’s left of the base, reliving the good times, and seeing old friends. I witnessed the UFO event…it was strange; it still sticks in my mind today.
ptkitty was assigned to Loring AFB for 10 years (2 tours) aboard the B-52. Loring was a great assignment! Would have been very contented to stay in Aroostook County…it’s a beautiful place!
I seen the beauty of ”The County’ and returned for retirement after nearly 50 years.
For those whose memories are of the flight line. It is a sad place to see today. Most of the nose docks are gone. Weeds grow wildly up through the cracks in tarmac. The tank farm looks like a rusting bunch of hulks. Just to say that the LDA has done a poor job of revitalizing what could have been a very nice airdrome.
I worked there recently and it must of been a great base, seeing where some of the buildings were you can see how great it was. Why not reactivate it?
Wish I could make it but just getting to the local VA is a chore now. Was there from 58 to 62. In the beginning it was wooden barracks, open bay, with a foot locker. Got a great “summer vacation” when the aircraft were re flexed to Ramey AFB Puerto Rico and Thule AFB Greenland for the extension work making the RUNWAY a mile long. NOT the FLIGHT LINE that the last KC-135 allegedly took off on!! I and others WORKED on the Flight Line. 42nd FMS -Electric Shop, Instrument Shop, Sheet Metal Shop, Hydraulic Shop, Engine Shop, etc. Then there was PMS another whole new ball game on the FLIGHT LINE. Plus all the other things you see at any airport to keep the birds going. Refueling, etc. Then there was the PX with some great deals. Roommate got a great Remington .270 and then went out and got a 12 pt. Boone and Crockett Trophy. Had to look at that every day until I got married and moved out.
Off Base out the Limestone gate were the Out Post (Freddy Hackett) and the Rondevous (Mrs. (Amelia) Corey) plus a host of other services.
Out the (West Gate?) access road to Caribou. The Victory, (Mrs. Corey again) home of Mr. Kavanaugh’s famous french fries and gravy), The Pizza Pot, (Freddy Hackett again) and a great drive in take out in the summer near the USO. Better than ANY fast food take out today. Day’s Jewelers where we bought the white gold bands 51 years ago. And there was LOTS more. Some of the BEST days of our lives. Loring AFB, Limestone, Caribou, Presque Isle, Madawaska (Madtown ! and more)
My father N Law dr. Mark P. Boyd was stationed there on the base in the mid 60’s. He was the base dentist. It always has broken the hearts of him and my mother n law as well to see what a mess the base is now, and how it was closed and never really utilized to its potential.