MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
Subject: AFB Penetration (Loring AFB, 1975)
N M C C
THE NATIONAL MILITARY COMMAND CENTER
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20101
29 October 1975
0605 EST
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
Subject: AFB Penetration
1. At 290200 EST AFOC informed NMCC that an unidentified
helicopter, possibly two, had been sighted flying low over
Loring AFB Maine, in proximity to a weapons storage area.
2. An Army National Guard helo was called in to assist in
locating the unidentified helo(s).
3. NORAD was informed of the incident by SAC, requested and
received authority from Canadian officials to proceed into
Canadian airspace if necessary to locate the intruder.
4. At 0404 SAC Command Center informed NMCC that the army helo
assisting on the scene had not sighted the unidentified helo(s).
5. A similar incident was reported at Loring the evening of
28 October 1975
//signed//
C. D. Roberts, Jr.
Brigadier General, USMC
Deputy Director for
Operations (NMCC)
Distribution:
CJCS (5)
CSA
PA REP
DJS (3)
CNO
WEST HEM DESK
J-30
CSAF
NWSB
J-31
CMC
NMCC BRIEFER
J-32
CH, WWMCCS OPS & EVAL DIV
J-32A DDO (NMCC)
J-33
ADDO (NMCC)
J-34
CCOC (NMCC)
J-35
DIA REP FOR NMIC
J-38
NSA REP
CIA REP
AFB PENETRATION
At approximately 290200 EST Oct 75, AFOC relayed a report from
Loring AFB, ME indicating that one unidentified helicopter, possibly
two helicopters, had penetrated Loring AFB from Canadian territory
with one helicopter landing briefly in proximity to a weapons storage
area. Attempts to locate or identify the intruding helicopters by
an Army National Guard helicopter were unsuccessful. Sightings of
the unidentified helicopter(s) were limited to security guards. A
similar incident with a single helicopter occurred during the early
morning of 28 Oct 75. Permission has been granted by Canadian
authorities to give pursuit into Canadian airspace if subsequent
contact is effected by U.S. helicopters. 
DDO UPDATE
AS OF 291300 EST Oct 75
WEST HEM
AFB PENETRATION
At approximately 290100 EST Oct 75, one unidentified heli-
copter was sighted 200 to 500 meters from the weapons storage
area at Loring AFB, Maine. The helicopter was at an altitude
of 150 feet feet and penetrated Loring AFB. An attempt to contact
and identify the intruding helicopter was made by an Army
National Guard helo, and was unsuccessful. At 290300 EST the
helicopter was sighted over the weapons storage area and the
Army National Guard helicopter again responded with the Maine
State Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and plans to
pursue into Canada, if necessary, if there is a reoccurrence.
(SOURCE: 42 BW OP LORING AFB 291140Z OCT 75)
DDO UPDATE
__________________ AS OF 292200 EST Oct 75
AFB PENETRATION
At approximately 290100 EST Oct 75, one unidentified helicopter
was sighted 300 to 500 meters from the weapons storage area at
Loring AFB, Maine. The helicopter was at an altitude of 150 feet
and penetrated Loring AFB. An attempt to contact and identify the
intruding helicopter was made by an Army National Guard helo, and
was unsuccessful. At 290300 EST the helicopter was sighted over
the weapons storage area and the Army National Guard helicopter
again responded to make contact but was unsuccessful. The CSAF
(Ops Div) has requested that the Army NG helo be provied until
300800 EST under the following conditions: To track and identify
the intruder; no apprehension to take place; the Canadian Border
would not be crossed; and civilian police on board will be for
commo with ground units only. The request is under consideration
by MG Snifin, DA Director of Operations, DCSOPS. Col Bailey, Mil
Aide to Special Asst to SECDIF/DEPSECDEF has been advised of the
situation show DoD approval be required. The State Department
Canadian Desk Officer has been kept informed. (SOURCE: 42
BW CP
LORING AFB 291140Z OCT 75; SAC CP OPS CONTROL 291954Z OCT 75)
DDO UPDATE AS OF 300600 EST Oct 75
AFB PENETRATION
At approximately 290100 EST Oct 75, one unidentified helicopter
was sighted at an altitude of 150 feet at approximately 200 to 500
meters from a weapons storage area at Loring AFB, ME. At 290300
EST
Oct 75, the unidentified helicopter was sighted over the weapons
storage area. In both instances, an Army National Guard (NG) heli-
copter resonded, but was unable to contact or identify the intruder.
MG Sniffin, DA Director of Ops, DCSOPS, approved the following
procedures for any similar incident effective until 300800 EST
Oct 75:
- NG helicopter and crew placed in "full time training duty"
(FTTD).
- NG helicopter may enter Canadian airspace with consent of
Canadian authorities.
- NG helicopter employment limited to tracking and identification.
- Only U.S. military personnel and if considered necessary
representatives from the FBI, FAA, and Border Patrol will be
embarked in the NG helicopter.
(SOURCE: 42
BW CP LORING AFB 291140Z OCT 75; PHONCON
DDO/INTERESTED ACTIVITIES).
