Loring Air Force Base - Overview

Overview

For the majority of its operational lifetime, Loring was a heavy bomber, aerial refueling, and interception facility for a variety of military aircraft, equipment and supplies as part of Strategic Air Command (1947–1992), then as part of Air Combat Command (1992–1994).

Loring was planned in 1947 as Limestone Army Air Field and was designed with a capacity of over 100 B-36 Peacemaker aircraft. Over time, this plan was only partially completed due to budget constraints, but not before it became one of the largest air bases in the Strategic Air Command's inventory. After the B-36 Peacemakers were phased out of the Air Force's inventory, Loring became home to the B-52 Stratofortress, which be based at the base until its closure. Additionally, the KC-97 Stratotanker was based at the base for a number of years, until it was replaced by the more well-known KC-135 Stratotanker.

Loring was also home to many facilities that were a part of the base, or were nearby. Caribou Air Force Station was the weapons storage area that operated separately from the base until it was absorbed in 1961. Caswell Air Force Station operated to the east, but had a unit associated with Loring before it became fully operational. On-base facilities included the Alert Area, which operated as a separate facility within the base, due to crews being constantly stationed on alert. The Double Cantilever Hanger was the largest hanger at the base, with the capacity to hold six parked B-52's, or five B-36's.

Major secondary missions of Loring Air Force Base including being the headquarters for the 45th Air Division from October 8, 1954 to January 18, 1958, and on November 20, 1958. The host wing at the base was the 42d Bombardment Wing for all but a small portion of its early existence. The base was primarily home to active duty units, although this changed in the 1980s, when the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 101st Fighter Squadron sent a detachment to Loring. As the base was the closest base to Europe, it also functioned as an important stopover point for planes coming and going overseas.

Loring AFB was closed as a result of the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process in 1994. It was later reopened as the Loring Commerce Centre.