By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
On Nov. 22, 1974, the United States Coast Guard LORAN Station in Caribou was established as a test facility remaining under that title until 1980 when it became an operational facility with responsibilities for the American 9960 chain and the Canadian 5930 chain. On Wednesday, Sept. 1, the LORAN Station Caribou was officially closed.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barbara Scott
The American flag and that of the United States Coast Guard, have flown at the U.S. Coast Guard LORAN Station Caribou, since 1974. The site was decommissioned in an official ceremony on Sept. 1.
Located on the Main Siding Road in Caribou, the facility “deemed one of the most isolated U.S. Coast Guard Units,” had the number of personnel narrowed to a four-man station with the development of new technology regarding the solid state transmitter capability.
“The mission of the LORAN Station in Caribou was to propagate a usable navigation signal for both maritime and air traffic on a 24-hour basis, 365 days a year. LORAN Station Caribou was a secondary station for the American Northeast — a LORAN Chain and the Master Station for the Canadian East Coast LORAN Chain. The American LORAN signal was terminated on Feb. 8, 2010 and the Canadian signal was terminated on Aug. 3, 2010. Loran Station Caribou holds the distinction of being the last station to send an American Loran signal, thus ending the Loran program after 67 years of mission service.”
In the Decommissioning Ceremony at the LORAN Station site, on Sept. 1, ETCS Fred ‘Skip’ Ripley, officer in charge of the LORAN Station, emceed the program, greeting a sizeable number local individuals, representing both the area communities and retired Coast Guard personnel.
Following the introduction of the official Coast Guard dignitaries which included Capt. James B. McPherson, commander, CG Sector, Northern New England; Capt. Wayne A. Muilenburg, chief, Prevention Division, First Coast Guard District; and Lt. Commander Ernest Farrar, chaplain, USN.; an Invocation was provided by Chaplain Farrar and remarks were given by Capt. McPherson, ETCS Cris Seybold and ETCS Ripley. Awards were also presented during this time.
ETCS Ripley spoke of his earliest days in Aroostook County, remarking how he had previously been serving on a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter then found himself in Caribou with his crew, dealing with a lot of snow. He told a story of how as at one time, the snow just kept falling and he and his men decided they were going to be totally isolated and stranded at the station if they weren’t able to find some help. The snow being extremely deep at that time with no let up in sight. “I called my Commanding Officer and told him if we didn’t find someone to help we were stuck here with no way to get out,” said Ripley. “I asked him what to do. He told me to contact the municipal offices and ask for assistance — and that’s what I did — I called Steve Buck,” he said.
Ripley went on to say that when he spoke with Buck, he explained who he was and where, then said, “We need your help.” Ripley commented that during this conversation it was apparent that the idea of the U.S. Coast Guard calling the city office for help was received with some good natured humor.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barbara Scott
City officials were recognized by personnel from the United States Coast Guard LORAN Station Caribou, during the Sept. 1, Decommissioning Ceremony. The LORAN Station established in 1974, holds the distinction of being the last station to send an American LORAN signal, ending the program after 67 years of service. From left are: Caribou Mayor Kenneth Murchison, Steve Buck, Caribou city manager; Sr. Chief Cris Seybold; Capt. James McPherson and Sr. Chief Skip Ripley.
“Before we knew it, “ said Senior Chief Ripley, “we heard a really loud noise and true to his word, the city manager had instructed the plows to open up the isolated rural road to the Loran Station — they plowed us out.”
Called to the front of the outside seating during the Decommissioning Ceremony, Buck and Caribou Mayor Ken Murchison were presented a plaque from Ripley, in recognition of the continuous help and support the city and its residents always showed toward the personnel at the now silent Loran Station.
In his remarks, Buck noted that he had hoped he would be able to relate that story before Ripley did.
Janet Kelley, former president of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, also received a recognition plaque from Ripley on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard, for her own as well as the town of Fort Fairfield ‘s support and friendship toward the Loran facility and its personnel.
The Decommissioning Crew included Senior Chief Petty Officer Skip Ripley, Petty Officer First Class Chris Calhoun, Petty Officer First Class Bud Rudin and Petty Officer Second Class Andrew Petersen.
Prior to the lowering and removal of the American Flag, (which had flown above the U.S. Coast Guard flag) signaling the official closure of the Loran station, remarks by Sharon Campbell, Barbara Hayslett and Lori Ireland, representing the offices of Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and Congressman Michael Michaud were read.
Sen. Collins’ letter, in part, read: “Today’s decommissioning of the Coast Guard’s Long Range Aids to Navigation (LORAN) Station Caribou marks a bittersweet moment in the Station’s 36-year history. As the Coast Guard discontinues its LORAN program after 67 years, LORAN Station Caribou holds the distinction of being the last remaining station to send an American LORAN signal.”
“I remain disappointed with the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to discontinue the LORAN program and to close LORAN Station Caribou without determining how to provide a backup to the Global Positioning System. The nation’s LORAN facilities could be upgraded to provide an Enhanced LORAN signal, also known as eLORAN, that would serve as a backup to GPS. Without a backup, there is serious risk that GPS may be disrupted, detrimentally affecting the operation of critical infrastructure and transportation networks.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barbara Scott
A familiar sight since 1974, this U.S. Coast Guard LORAN Tower no longer transmits signals, a result of the Sept. 1 decommissioning of the LORAN Station located on the Main Siding Road in Caribou.
“I commend the outstanding efforts of Senior Chief Fred Ripley, his crew and the Coast Guard personnel preceding them. This crew, like their predecessors, held the public’s trust to closely maintain and monitor a signal that was essential to the safe-keeping of millions of lives.”
Sen. Olympia Snowe, in part, wrote: “Please allow me to extend my very best wishes and deepest admiration as you gather to acknowledge the decommissioning of the U.S. Coast Guard LORAAN Station Caribou. Indeed, we feel a profound loss as we close this base and end the broadcasts from these towers that have stood strong as an integral part of the Coast Guard for decades — guiding our mariners and aviators, and providing great benefit to the American people.”
“The United States Coast Guard has a long and storied history in Maine dating back to its founding as the Revenue Cutter Service by Alexander Hamilton. The men and women who patrol, protect and safeguard our shorelines and seas, deserve an immense debt of gratitude for their steadfast service and commitment to the state of Maine and our nation.”
Remarks sent by Congressman Michaud, in part, stated:
“For centuries, stalwart members of our nation’s Coast Guard have patrolled and protected our coasts and waterways. They have done this in many remote locations, but with their mission remaining the same, to be always ready.”
“For over 30 years, the Caribou LORAN site has formed a vital link that has helped the Coast Guard’s mission readiness, as well as having commercial and recreational application. It still catches some by surprise to find that there is a Coast Guard Station in the middle of land-locked potato fields. Some will learn of it only when they hear of this decommissioning ceremony and that will have been their loss. For those that have known, they have been able to see that LORAN Station Caribou has been a part of history. For those that are here today, including assembled guests, you are now part of that history, as well, as we mark the commissioning of the last USCG LORAN C station to secure its signal.”
ETCS Ripley, a familiar figure in the local communities, has been assigned to the USCG LORAN Station Caribou since July, 2007. A native of Camden, he is a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard with numerous operational assignments, as well as serving at the USCG SWMall Boat Station in Rockland, while attending college.
Senior Chief Ripley holds a BA degree in history with a minor in government. His awards and decorations include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal with operational distinguishing device as well as two Coast Guard Letters of Commendation with operational distinguishing device. He has earned his Permanent Cutterman’s and Boat Force’s pins and Officer in Charge Ashore device.
Ripley, resides in Fort Fairfield with his wife Amanda and their three children, Travis, Lauren and Jack.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barbara Scott
U.S. Coast Guard personnel lower the American flag, which has flown above the U.S. Coast Guard flag at the LORAN Station Caribou since 1974. The removal of the American flag signifies the station has been decommissioned, no longer an operational military facility.
