Bangor -
Members of the 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor have a new hangar to call home.
They cut the ribbon Friday on a new maintenance facility, replacing a building that's nearly 60 years old.
Behind the walls of this new building, members of the 101st Air Refueling Wing will continue the mission and tradition of the top refueling wing in the country.
But they'll do it with a lot more room.
Col. John Thomas says, "This building had taken 10 years to get from design to having the facility. It's just a great day."
This $18-million maintenance hangar was specifically designed to maintain and repair air tankers.
It takes the place of another hangar, built in 1954 for smaller fighter aircraft.
Senator Susan Collins says, "The longevity of building 496 is a powerful testament to the determination of this wing to carry out its mission. But now we turn a new page in this illustrious history."
While the doors of the hangar were officially opened Friday, the maintenance crew has already spent the last few weeks getting used to the new place and all of its features, like radiant floor heat.
Senior Master Sgt. David Hughes says, "When we close the hangar back up in the winter, we don't have to wear jackets for two hours before the hangar heats back up. The roof doesn't leak, which we still had issues with the 50 year old hangar.
Thomas adds, "Tt was a great facility but it has kind of outlived its usefulness. With some of the systems failing and the heating system was about ready to go. So it's really great, the timeliness of having this building to go forth in the future."
In the hands of men and women committed to that future.
Hughes says "We don't ask for the recognition, that's not why we do it. but it is nice to see that the Congressional delegation and the Senate and the rest of the country does see what we do and our importance of being here."