By Debra Walsh
Staff Writer
A museum detailing the history of the former Loring Air Force Base, a B-52 bomber installation in Limestone, opened for the season this past weekend for their third season.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
Half of a scale model of a B-52 hangs in a display dedicated to the bomber which was the main aircraft deployed at the former Loring Air Force Base. The display is in the Loring Military Heritage Museum now open for the summer.
For over 40 years, the base was home to more than 10,000 people who were responsible for manning and supporting B-52s and KC-135 tanker aircraft. The base closed in the mid-1990s leaving a historical legacy that museum officials believe should be saved.
“A lot of history was here and we want to preserve that,” said William J. Ossenfort of Caribou, museum president and a retired Air Force senior master sergeant.
The museum contains only artifacts that were part of the base, such as a portion of a bomb that was carried on a B-52 and jumpsuits worn by officers at the base.
“Everything here has been donated or is on loan from someone,” said Ossenfort. “There’s a little bit of everything from Loring. There is nothing from another base.”
Located in a former bank building at 131 Cupp Road on the facility known as the Loring Commerce Center, the museum will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.
The museum features displays from the various segments of the base. One booth is dedicated to the B-52 bomber and features a scale model of the aircraft. A steering column from one of the planes as well as the bottom part of a bomb that the aircraft would have carried can be viewed.
A similar booth is devoted to the KC-135 tanker, the “flying gas station,” which refueled planes in flight. Part of the display is a memorial dedicated to crewmembers killed in the 1989 crash of a Loring-based tanker in neighboring New Brunswick.
Loring support squadrons also are featured in displays.
In addition to inside presentations, the museum will feature outside static displays of items too large for the building. For example, a jet engine from a tanker will be shown, as well as several large signs that were used on the former base.
There is no admission charge, but the non-profit organization will accept donations, according to Ossenfort.
Last year the museum had nearly 400 visitors from all over the United States.
“It’s amazing to see people come here and see their facial expressions,” Ossenfort said.
Most everyone will see an artifact or a picture of someone they recognize, he said. “Then they’re back in the past,” he said.
Museum officials are always looking for new additions to their collections.
“We’ll accept anything from anyone that deals with Loring Air Force Base,” said Ossenfort.
To see the museum by appointment contact Ossenfort at 496-3724, Matt Cole at 455-7913 or Cuppy Johndro at 498-4010.
The Web site is www.loringafbmuseum.org.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
Representations of aircraft and Air Force insignia appear on one wall at the Loring Military Heritage Museum on the Loring Commerce Center. The museum opened for the season over the weekend.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
Nearly 150 patches, representing every unit at Loring Air Force Base, are on display at the Loring Military Heritage Museum. The patch display is one of numerous displays detailing the history of the former mega base.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
William Ossenfort, president of the Loring Military Heritage Museum, shows off a jumpsuit worn from a former commander at Loring Air Force Base. The suit is one of several artifacts on display at the museum, which is open for the summer on the Loring Commerce Center.
