Photo By Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair | A B-52 Stratofortress is welcomed by the local fire department at the former Loring...... read more read more
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Loring Air Force Base, ME (August 3, 2024) – When the former Strategic Air Command (SAC) superbase closed its gates in September 1994, approximately 3,500 employees left, leaving a significant void. However, thanks to the Loring Museum and its dedicated volunteers, the "Sleeping Giant" awoke for a few days to honor the cherished 42nd Bomber Wing nearly 30 years after its closure.
After considerable effort, the museum secured a B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base to land at Loring on July 31st for the 2024 Loring Open House Event. Fans and former Loring-ites traveled from far and wide to witness the event, meet the aircrew, and relive fond memories.
The Minot crew was ecstatic to be part of this historic event, engaging with locals and witnessing firsthand what the 42nd meant to Aroostook County.
“Being able to bring this jet here and meet with everyone is a pretty cool experience,” said Captain Matthew Siebert, a Weapons Systems Officer for the 69th Bomb Squadron and a crew member aboard the Minot B-52, affectionately known as the B.U.F.F. (Big Ugly Fat Fellow). “Loring was the last wing to house the 69th before it moved to North Dakota. The history and heritage here are very noticeable, especially when talking with the veterans who served here. It’s great.”
Loring AFB, once the northeasternmost base in the United States, was a vital asset due to its proximity to Europe and the Arctic. During the Cold War, it played a crucial role in national defense against the Soviet Union.
The Loring volunteers, mostly former personnel stationed at the base, still hold immense pride in Loring’s role in national defense. When the opportunity arose to have a Stratofortress land at the old SAC base, it was all hands on deck for the former Airmen.
For SSgt Kaylie LePage, a Flying Crew Chief originally from Winterport, the Loring Open House was a homecoming. Inspired by her mother, who joined the MAINEiacs in 2016, LePage joined Active Duty. “I love my job. I love working on planes. This is a 70-year-old aircraft, and here I am in 2024 doing the same thing that some of these crew chiefs did when Loring was open. It’s pretty amazing,” LePage said. “You can feel the history here.”
The event featured several ceremonies and activities to honor the former wing and its Airmen. There were food, activities for kids, base tours, and live music, breathing life back to the dormant superbase.
The MAINEiacs supported the event with top-notch customer service. The 101st ARW A.G.E. (Aerospace Ground Equipment) Shop provided the necessary equipment to support the B-52. Operations conducted a spectacular flyover with a KC-135, and maintenance troops supported an Arizona ANG tanker that was scheduled to be on display, but didn’t quite make it to Loring due to mechanical issues.
Perhaps the most notable MAINEiac team were the Defenders from the 101st ARW Security Forces Squadron sent to secure the aircraft around the clock. For one Defender, this job was especially meaningful because his grandfather served at Loring. “When I was younger, my grandfather would bring me here to show me the base. It meant a lot then and it means a lot now,” Senior Airman Matthew Burgess said. “He taught me a lot about the history and what went on here and that’s pretty special to me.” Burgess has been in Security Forces for roughly three and a half years and it’s clear after talking with him that he takes that seriously and wears his uniform with pride.
The 101st Air Refueling Wing has always emphasized family and values. The volunteer crews, former Loring Airmen, and their families coming together for the 30-year reunion demonstrated that Loring Air Force Base held the same ethos.
The 2024 Loring Open House Event was more than a nostalgic reunion; it was a powerful tribute to the enduring legacy of the 42nd Bomber Wing and the men and women who served at Loring Air Force Base. As former airmen and new generations came together to celebrate the history and camaraderie that defined this pivotal base, it became clear that Loring's spirit remains alive and well. This gathering not only honored the past but also inspired hope for the future, demonstrating that the bonds formed in service to our country are timeless and unbreakable.
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2024 11:31 |
| Story ID: | 477801 |
| Location: | LIMESTONE, MAINE, US |
| Web Views: | 1,925 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Loring Air Force Base Open House Revives Historic Legacy, by MSgt Andrew Sinclair, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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