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          A mid-winter shot of the WSA. Beyond the entry portal, next to the little building just above the red van in the center of the picture, was a world lacking completely concepts such as "constitutional rights" and "presumption of innocence." Very, very few individuals were authorized to cross through the electric and double-fences into the WSA. The winter this photograph was taken saw a total snowfall of over 140" and temperatures that dropped below -30F!

          One of the original five "Q" locations, prior to construction this WSA was AEC code named “Easy.” Upon opening it became the “North River Depot,” and was later designated “Caribou Air Force Station.  This WSA is unique in that it was the first facility built from the ground up as a “maximum security storage for the most advanced weapons of mankind.” [Stevens, W.E. and Tyson, P.G.]

- "Easy" to "North River Depot" to "Caribou AFS" to "Loring WSA" -

     Taken in late-April, standing in front of "The Plant" are (L-R) Sgt. Bob Reynolds, Amn. Jeff Vandenboss, and Sgt. Jim Iverson. Bob was one of the smartest men I ever met, Jeff could whistle like he was playing an actual musical instrument, and Jim was one of those crew-chiefs who always knew how to "tweak" the checklists so that our arctic-weather tasks were always completed a little faster than the time allotted.

     From the lack of snow cover and sun high in the sky this is probably late-April, early Spring in Aroostook County, otherwise these guys would also be wearing parka pants, "bunny boots," full-length over-mittens, face masks, and insulated caps! Our shop was located only a few miles to the west of Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, which often reports the lowest mercury readings in North America. In late February, especially after nights with clear skies and no wind, it was not unusual for our little swamp to awaken to -40F temperatures! As for the "wind chill" equivalents in which we had to work outdoors, well, look up "brutal," "unmerciful" and "insane" in the dictionary!

     Picture of me was taken out in the abandoned AIR-2 storage area, while snapshot of CJ was taken in his subterranean MoleHole dorm!

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