About this Unit
The 42nd Organizational Maintenance Squadron (42 OMS) was an integral maintenance unit assigned to the 42nd Bombardment Wing under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, the 42 OMS provided critical aircraft maintenance and support for SAC's fleet of B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 Stratotankers during the Cold War era. The squadron ensured the operational readiness of the wing’s nuclear-capable bombers, playing a key role in America’s airborne deterrence strategy. The professionalism and expertise of 42 OMS personnel contributed significantly to the effectiveness and reliability of SAC's strategic mission throughout its active years.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 42nd Organizational Maintenance Squadron (42 OMS) was an essential support unit of the 42nd Bombardment Wing, part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) at Loring Air Force Base, Maine.
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Mission Focus: The 42 OMS was primarily responsible for the organizational-level maintenance of the B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 Stratotankers, ensuring their readiness for nuclear and conventional missions during the Cold War.
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Cold War Role: As part of SAC, the unit played a critical role in America's nuclear deterrence, keeping aircraft on 24/7 alert status during periods of heightened tension such as the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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Rapid Response: The 42 OMS supported the "Elephant Walk" drills, in which a large number of bombers would taxi and take off in quick succession to demonstrate SAC’s ability to rapidly respond to threats.
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Operation Chrome Dome: Aircraft maintained by 42 OMS participated in Operation Chrome Dome, where B-52s flew continuous airborne alert missions armed with nuclear weapons from the 1960s to the late 1960s.
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Arctic Operations: Loring AFB’s proximity to the Arctic Circle meant 42 OMS crews often worked in extreme cold, developing innovative solutions to maintain equipment in subzero temperatures.
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Distinguished Unit Citations: The 42nd Bomb Wing, including the 42 OMS, received multiple awards for its outstanding performance and readiness, including Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.
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Desert Storm: During the Gulf War, the 42nd Bomb Wing and its maintenance units contributed personnel and equipment to support deployed air operations.
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Community Impact: The 42 OMS and Loring AFB were major employers in northern Maine, with airmen and their families playing a significant role in the local community for decades.
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Deactivation and Legacy: Loring AFB, along with the 42nd Bomb Wing and 42 OMS, was closed in 1994 as part of post-Cold War drawdowns, but veterans’ reunions and a museum at the site preserve their legacy.
