Bangor Air Force Base - Maj. Harold Dorgan, left, task force commander, and Col. George WR Zethren, air refueling wing commander at Dow Air Force Base, watches the team compete in the Air Defense Command's interceptor air refueling competition in Florida. get the weapon The competitions are being held at Tyndall AFB in Panama City, Florida. credit: Carroll Hall
Fifty years ago next week, the last plane took off from Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, home to thousands of servicemen and women and their families for nearly two years.
Bangor Air Force Base
The base - now home to Bangor International Airport - has changed the character of the city of Bangor in many ways, many of which were discussed at Friday's conference, "Bangor and with Base: 50 Years Later."
Fbo Profile: Bangor Aviation Services
The University of Maine at Augusta in Bangor, located in buildings that became part of the library, hosted the conference. David H. Bergquist, author of the book "Bangor in World War II", UMA Bangor history professor Tom McCord, Colleen Coffey and Haley Brown of the UMA Bangor Library, Bangor International Airport director Tony Caruso, and Chief Master Sgt. Daniel G. Moore's 101st Air Refueling Wing.
A large number of ex-servicemen and servicemen, history and flying, and eager Bangorians listened to Dow and in the 1920s Bangor lawyer Edward Rawson Godfrey arrived. to a US Army air base during World War II. of the road. Dow Air Force Base was occupied for nearly 20 years, before closing on April 5, 1968.
Many of the buildings built for Dow are still standing today, as are some of the 1950s and 1960s conversions that were made to accommodate the growth factor.
"The relationship between Dow and the city is transactional," McCord said. Discover the Bangor story. "The library will make a lot of decisions about what's going on in the city, but the city will fight if it can."
Home Of The 101st Air Refueling Wing
At its height, the site was home to 5,000 people, about 20 percent of Bangor's population. There were eight dormitories on the site, four of which are still standing today. In the late 1950s, another building was built - now known as Capeheart - and a new development was built across the road, later called New Capeheart. The Bangor Gardens community was originally created with the goal of providing rental housing for service members.
When the Air Force wanted to extend the runway to 13,460 feet, it actually cut out part of Hammond Road—which is why, today, Hammond Road ends at base of the route, then the page starts again. Airport like Hammond Road.
The site has a church, bank, tavern, television channel, movie theater, and Rod and Gun Club. Of the more than 7,500 students in the Bangor school system, approximately 1,500 are the children of Dow service members. Dow paid himself over $1 million a year for electricity to the Bangor Hydro Electric Company.
"It's a big boost to the industry, but people don't know it's going to last," McCord said. "It's always changing."
Watch Air Force One Land In Bangor [video]
Bangor had several years to prepare for the closing of Dow, which was first announced in November 1964 by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. After the closure, the main plan for the city is to take over most of the airport and convert it into a commercial airport. In the end, that's what happened: Bangor International Airport opened in late 1968, with the Air National Guard base 50 years later.
Although the station has been closed for almost 50 years, one thing has not changed - flights still fly to Bangor every day. The world may head to New York or Florida instead of military installations, but jet noise is part of Bangor's soundtrack.
Emily Burnham is a Maine native and proud Bangorian, covering business, crafts, restaurants, and the culture and history of the Bangor area. More By Emily Burnham The Maine Air National Guard held a media day in Bangor Monday morning to highlight the number of jobs available at the base.
"If you're not sure what you want to do, I think this is a great opportunity," said Cassidy Noyce, a Maine Air National Guard pilot.
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When Noyce graduated from Hermann High School last year, she knew she wanted to go to college, but still wasn't sure what she would major in.
"He said it was a great experience, certainly in terms of travel and studies within the state.
Noyes is hiring to work in government agencies, but there are many other jobs available as well.
Culinary students at the United Technologies Center learned on Monday how to put their skills to good use.
Spotting At Bangor Airport
"We want to get some of our young people out there. It's in. The Maine Air National Guard is a great place," said SMSgt Heather Johnson, Chief of Services.
Although the 101st Air Refueling Wing's primary mission is to provide aerial refueling for the US Air Force and Air Guard, that mission is more than just pilots on the ground.
"No matter what you do, whether it's feeding people, exercising, whether you're a security force, a doctor, a civil engineer, or a nurse, whatever you're doing here to help with the mission and our ultimate goal. to fuel the atmosphere," said operational spokesman TSgt Brittnie McHugh.
"Without fuel in the planes, the planes won't fly. If the fuel doesn't pass the lab, saying it's good to go on the planes, they won't fly," said TSgt Andrew Wing.
Bangor International Airport
The tuition assistance, health care and retirement benefits are attractive to them, he said, and they are available for the right person.
"Someone who is young and willing to learn and get their hands dirty and interested in serving the airport and the country. You have the opportunity to participate in something that is bigger than you. . People are amazing. Who wouldn't give you the shirt off your back to help you," said Courier, the educational technology major.
If you would like to learn more about jobs at Bangor Air National Guard Base, call the recruiting office at 404-7720.
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