Editing Loring Air Force Base (section)

{{short description|Former US Air Force base in northeast Maine}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Loring Air Force Base
| native_name = Limestone Air Force Base
| partof = 
| location = near [[Limestone, Maine|Limestone]] and [[Caswell, Maine]]
| country = United States
| image = Loring Air Force Base.jpg
| alt = Aerial image of Loring Air Force Base, in black and white
| caption = [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] 1970 Aerial Photo
| image2 = ACC Shield.svg
| alt2 = Shield with a sword with wings coming out of it
| caption2 = Logo of Air Combat Command
| pushpin_map = USA Maine#USA
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_label = '''Loring AFB&nbsp;<br />(KLIZ)&nbsp;'''
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Loring AFB
| coordinates = {{coord|46|56|59|N|67|53|20|W|region:US-ME_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| type = Air Force Base
| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| site_area = {{convert|9000|acre|sqmi km2|1|abbr=on}}
| height = 
| ownership = [[United States Air Force]]
| operator = [[42d Air Base Wing|42nd Bomb Wing]]
| open_to_public = Yes
| condition = 
| site_other_label = Stations
| site_other = [[Caribou Air Force Station]] (East Loring), [[Caswell Air Force Station]]
| built = {{Start date|1947}}-53
| builder = [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]]
| used = 1950–{{End date|1994}}
| materials = 
| fate = Mainly intact, partial demolition
| battles = 
| events = [[Cold War]]
| current_commander = Robert J. Pavelko
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = [[42d Air Base Wing|42nd Bomb Wing]]
| occupants = [[69th Bomb Squadron|69th Bombardment Squadron]], [[70th Flying Training Squadron|70th Bombardment Squadron]], [[75th Bombardment Squadron]], [[42d Air Refueling Squadron]], [[407th Air Refueling Squadron]], [[2192nd Communications Squadron]], [[101st Intelligence Squadron|101st Fighter Squadron]]
| elevation = {{convert|746|ft|0|abbr=on}}
<!-- begin airfield information  -->
| IATA = LIZ
| ICAO = KLIZ
| FAA = 
| TC = 
| LID = 
| GPS = 
| WMO = 
| r1-number = 1R/19L
| r1-length = {{convert|12100|ft|-1|abbr=on}}
| r1-surface = Asphalt/Concrete
| r2-number = 1L/19R
| r2-length = {{convert|12800|ft|-1|abbr=on}}
| r2-surface = Asphalt
| website =
<!--  end airfield information   -->
}}
'''Loring Air Force Base''' {{airport codes|LIZ|KLIZ}} was a [[United States Air Force]] installation in northeastern [[Maine]], near [[Limestone, Maine|Limestone]] and [[Caribou, Maine|Caribou]] in [[Aroostook County, Maine|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, Maine|Caswell Plantation]], was the closest point in the [[Contiguous United States|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]].