Loring Air Force Base

Loring Air Force Base
Limestone Air Force Base
near Limestone and Caswell, Maine in United States
Aerial image of Loring Air Force Base, in black and white
USGS 1970 Aerial Photo
Shield with a sword with wings coming out of it
Logo of Air Combat Command
Loring AFB  (KLIZ)  is located in Maine
Loring AFB  (KLIZ) 
Loring AFB 
(KLIZ) 
Location of Loring AFB
Loring AFB  (KLIZ)  is located in the United States
Loring AFB  (KLIZ) 
Loring AFB 
(KLIZ) 
Loring AFB 
(KLIZ) 
(the United States)
Coordinates46°56′59″N 67°53′20″W / 46.94972°N 67.88889°W / 46.94972; -67.88889
TypeAir Force Base
Area9,000 acres (14.1 sq mi; 36.4 km2)
Site information
OwnerUnited States Air Force
Operator42nd Bomb Wing
Open to
the public
Yes
StationsCaribou Air Force Station (East Loring), Caswell Air Force Station
Site history
Built1947 (1947)-53
Built byUnited States Army Corps of Engineers
In use1950–1994 (1994)
FateMainly intact, partial demolition
EventsCold War
Garrison information
Current
commander
Robert J. Pavelko
Garrison42nd Bomb Wing
Occupants69th Bombardment Squadron, 70th Bombardment Squadron, 75th Bombardment Squadron, 42d Air Refueling Squadron, 407th Air Refueling Squadron, 2192nd Communications Squadron, 101st Fighter Squadron
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: LIZ, ICAO: KLIZ
Elevation746 ft (227 m) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
1R/19L 12,100 ft (3,690 m) Asphalt/Concrete
1L/19R 12,800 ft (3,900 m) Asphalt

Loring Air Force Base (IATA: LIZ, ICAO: KLIZ) was a United States Air Force installation in northeastern Maine, near Limestone and Caribou in Aroostook County. It was one of the largest bases of the U.S. Air Force's Strategic Air Command during its existence, and was transferred to the newly created Air Combat Command in 1992.

The base's origins began in 1947 with an order for construction of an airfield by the New England Division of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The chosen site, in northeastern Maine within both Limestone Township and Caswell Plantation, was the closest point in the continental U.S. to Europe, providing high strategic value during the Cold War. The base was originally named Limestone Army Air Field, and was renamed Limestone Air Force Base following the establishment of the Air Force in 1947. It was named in 1954 for Major Charles J. Loring, Jr., USAF, a Medal of Honor recipient during the Korean War. From 1951 to 1962, it was co-located next to Caribou Air Force Station.

Loring was home to a civilian population, many of whom were employed alongside active duty service members. The base included many amenities, such as a hospital, school, and ski hill, which facilitated the adjustment to Maine life by the civilians.

The 1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended that Loring be closed and its aircraft and mission be distributed to other bases in the nation. The base was closed in September 1994 after over 40 years of service. It was redeveloped by the Loring Development Authority as the Loring Commerce Centre, an industrial and aviation park; the airfield is operated as Loring International Airport.