David Losinski said he and his son were assisting the state Department of Environmental Quality with a barge that sank in Lake Huron in July 2012. Veteran Compensation Programs (www.veteranprograms.com) does NOT represent or warrant, and makes no claims, promises or guarantees about, the usefulness, completeness, adequacy or accuracy of any information, posts, surveys, topics, comments, blogs or responses contained in or linked to this website, or the competency, qualifications or identity of any person providing information or making a post, survey, topic, comment, blog or response contained in or linked to this website. Just run the water until it clears up. Learn how your comment data is processed. U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs Major Gary Geiger assigned to the 911TH Safety Office with me back in the late 60's or early 70's was a Navitgator on the B-52's assigned to Westover AFB as he used to tell me when we deployed there do not know if he did time at Wurstmith AFB. It is one of the most famous bases located in our state. There is an ongoing project to decontaminate the area. [5] The 379th flew with a Triangle K tail flash to continue the, tradition from their World War II counterparts. In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. Drinking water laced with high levels of poisonous chemicals may be to blame for cancer and other chronic disease among veterans and families who lived at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in northern Michigan, according to a new federal health report draft. Our biodegradation . Mr. Norton would occasionally return to fresh fish left by his neighbor on his porch. Survived stage 3 oral cancer and per medical review, origin unknown since I have never smoked. My wife has breast cancer, and Hashimoto's Disease (auto immune), I had a double mastectomy to remove growths, hormone issues, kidney scaring liver lesions, lumps in both lungs, sleep APNEA, sudden onset Headaches, unexplained stress attacks, to name a few. On the other hand, the rear-mounted engine offered increased maneuverability since the weight of the plane would be near its center of gravity. An unusual feature of the P-39 Airacobra was the automobile-type doors that had roll-down windows on each side of the cockpit. This could be from hydrant flushing or a water main break. It excelled in low-altitude ground support as a well-built and reliable aircraft capable of absorbing quite a bit of battle damage. [1] This was further broken down by marital status. The letter never said what I was objecting to, but that I was refusing to for a lawful order. [4] On August 1st 1958 the 4026th Strategic Wing was formed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Environmental groups are calling on the Air Force and the State of Michigan to get serious about cleaning up PFAS around the site of the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. The former base includes 4,626 acres (1,872ha) located approximately two miles west of Lake Huron in the Charter Township of Oscoda, bordered by Van Ettan Lake, the We thought that was kind of unbelievable.. wurtsmith air force base - PICRYL At the time, George was a hub of F-4 Phantom fighter jets and OV-10 Bronco reconnaissance planes. My first assignment as a Nuclear Weapons specialist was at wurtsmith where we deployed the AGM 69A SRAM missile system. The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. The Air Force says, Any aircraft before 1961, weve abandoned it.. We offer visitors three hangars full of military (all branches) and aviation history, static aircraft displays, artifacts, equipment and lots of WAFB memorabilia. Chanute Air Force base, Illinois. The Wurtsmith Air Force Base, created in 1923, played a large role in WWII. [1], When the Gulf War started in 1990, the 379th Bomber Wing sent B-52s as well as their accompanying KC-135s into the Middle East. This is an evolving issue with many moving parts. They are surely exposed to this chemical nearly every day, whether it be playing outside on the playground or from being exposed to the chemicals via drinking the water. History Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. My family lived on this base in 1983 to 1987, are we at risk? There are many good photos of P-39s at Selfridge Field (Posted below), but none of P-39s at Oscoda. PFAS Military Base Lawsuits | Contaminated Water | ClassAction.org My ex wife has thyroid disease and auto immune disease. Weve done quite a bit of documenting and measuring, David Losinski said. Environmental groups issue report, 'setting the record straight' about While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a wholelot to do. At the start of 1985, Wurtsmith maintained an $80 million annual payroll with 3,600 military and civilian personnel. Most individuals are not educated on what the base did before and after World War II, what is currently happening at this . On April 1, 1960, Strategic Air Command assumed operational control of what was then Wurtsmith Air Force Base from Air Defense Command; on Jan. 9, 1961, the 379th Bombardment Wing, flying B-52H's and KC-135A's, became the host unit. There were 10 passengers and six crew members on board. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport became a public airport in 1993. It was criticized for its low service ceiling, its slow rate of climb, and its generally poor high-altitude performance. While many of the airmen preferred to live on base it was possible for them to buy or rent a house or apartment off post. Leaking chemical storage tanks and waste disposal operations contaminated soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. At one point, they had to use these toxic foam chemicals to put out a fire at the Oscoda High School in 1995. This bunker compound housedthe flight crews on ready alert, the three B-52 bombers ready to take off at amoments notice, and the accompanying KC-135s ready to top off the B-52s after takeoff. Student projects from Michigan Tech's SS3505 Military History of the United States, on the people, places, and objects involving our military history in the upper Great Lakes region, Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920s to June 3rd 1993. JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas - Announced in late 2021 by the spouse of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Sharene Brown, it increases focus and attention on the top five quality of life challenges military families face. High blood serum levels of PFOA are associated with infertility, decreased semen quality, and a higher risk of thyroid disease. Tests in Michigan near the former Wurtsmith Air Force base have found PFOS in groundwater at levels as high as 42,000 ppt. Although in the past the Wurtsmith Air Force Base was extremely successful there are some prevalent issues with it today. [1] This tight knit community was not confined to just the Air Force Base, but extended into the community as well. Traci Kroushour, an Oscoda resident until the age of 12, had her uterus removed at the age of 28 and can never have children. If you are interested in any particular aircraft of time period please let me know. Since its establishment in 1923, Wurtsmith played an important role in World War II, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War, hosting the 134th Army Air Force Base Fighter Unit and 379th Bombardment Wing respectively. These chemicals have been shown to cause problems with thyroid, liver, kidney, reproduction, and other health problems. out of Prince Abdullah AB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. [1] This includes on base housing, a daycare center for children, a doctor's office, a . In March of 1943, the Third Air Force reactivated the field for training of black aviators. Download Images of Wurtsmith air force base - Free for commercial use, no attribution required. Posts and surveys made on this website are opinions or suggestions of users of this website and are not representations, opinions or suggestions of U.S. Service ceiling 27,200 feet, and range was 260 miles. Having high amounts of this chemical directly underneath their high school could have serious long-term effects on the kids that attend school as well as the faculty. Then everything happened so fast it seems unbelievable. The Arrow Street purge system, installed in 1982 to remove contaminants from the Building 43 plume, has lowered concentrations o The documentary by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sara Ganim focuses on PFAS contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan. It has recently been discovered that that the base has been leaking chemicals into the surrounding waterways. I was stationed there from 11/84-1989. A new report compiled by a local group, Need Our Water (NOW) and the National Wildlife Federation . My mom was recently diagnosed a month ago with colon cancer and skin cancer and still being treated by a dr, my broth had sever ulcers his entire early childhood. On June 30, , 1993 the 379th Bomb Wing was disbanded and Wurtsmith Air Force Base was closed. [1] On the first Wednesday the, fresh flight crew would relive the current flight crew in the bunkers. All Rights Reserved. The armament of the P-1 was a pair of 0.30 cal machine guns mounted in the upper fuselage decking inside the V-cylinder blocks and synchronized to fire through the propeller arc. A map of the base locations listed above can be viewed below. This unfortunately happened on October 11th, 1988 when KC-135 crashed with 6 crew members and 10 passengers on board. I have always scheduled an apt with my dr to talk about the possibility of how this may have affected me. I like combining historical photographs with the stories behind them. Stationed there for 84-88 and am suffering with a motor neuron disease process. The Au Sable River is an attraction for families all around Michigan. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Alchetron, the free social encyclopedia Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. On January 18, 1994 it was listed as a Superfund due to extensive groundwater contamination with heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, including trichloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane . During the Gulf War these planes were run practically 24/7, landing only to swap flight crews to meet the flight crew rest requirements. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base that was closed by the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC 2) and is a proposed EPA Superfund site. [1]After one week in the bunker on ready alert the flight crew would be relieved. Within a few days, a mere 28 Airmen established housing for over 400 personnel, replete with . The military has not begun cleanups at any of the 50 Department of Defense sites Congress has identified as highly contaminated with the "forever chemicals" known as PFAS - and it could be years before cleanups are complete. Lt. Ennis also thought it would be a great place for young Army Air corps to test aircraft (WAFB.net). Oscoda PFAS Activists set the record straight on PFAS from U.S. Air Comprehensive Base Plan, Department of the Air Force, Directorate of Engineering and Services DCS/PRE - Washington DC 1 April 1970 (revised 12 July 1978) . This is a very big issue for the people of Oscoda and the surrounding areas for obvious reasons. 1st Combat Evaluation Group [1] Mr. Norton, arrived fresh from navigation school as a 2nd Lieutenant at Wurtsmith Air Force, Base in the fall of 1985. [1], While Wurtsmith Air Force Base was its own little town, it was segregated by officers and enlisted. Anyone know the status on this? The story stated Moody and three other pilots were taking gunnery practice about three miles north of Port Huron. U.S. Wurtsmith Air Museum (Oscoda) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Typical occurrences on Wurtsmith Air Force Base included planes flying in and out on missions. U.S. Dallas Naval base, Texas. [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. A Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker plane, serial 60-0317, was damaged beyond repair in a landing accident at Oscoda-Wurtsmith AFB, MI (OSC), United States of America. The Wurtsmith Air Force Base, created in 1923, played a large role in WWII. Ruben C. Moffat flew a P-6 converted with a supercharged Conqueror engine on a record-breaking flight. To gain a measure of the extremely high levels of contaminated drinking water, according to the ATSDR, TCE levels in a well at the corner of Arrow Street and N. Skeel Avenue were as high as 5,173 parts-per-billion (ppb) during 1977, 1978, & 1979 tests, which is more than 1,000 times the EPA's current limit of 5-ppb for TCE in drinking water. Wurtsmith Air Force Base Toxic Exposure | ELG Law Senator Gary Peters (MI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today called on the Air Force to expedite PFAS cleanup efforts at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda.In a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy John . Peters: Air Force Must Immediately Prior | Senator Gary Peters Congress set a May 2022 deadline for the DOD to report on the cleanup status of these bases, the Filthy 50, with extremely high levels of PFAS contamination. These organizations primarily fall into seven types of activities: aviation, manufacturing, technology, medical, housing, education, community services and technology. [1] Mr. Norton also landedthe first KC-135 in operation Southern Watch. Click on a marker for base information. In 1932, Capt. This weapon system used some hazardous and a lot of special chemicals to support it. [1], The northern tier Strategic Air Command Ready Alert Strike Force bases were considered less than desirable duty stations for one main reason. According to Robert Delaney, a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality specialist, If you pull the water out of the ground in that training area, it still foams, theres so much in there. Since this entire problem stems from the fact that the foam used to extinguish fires on the base is what carried the toxic chemical, that goes to show just how invasive and problematic this contamination can be. Kelly mentioned she'd been thinking about getting . They included chemicals like MEK, PD 680, TRI CHLOROFLOIANS, ACIDS, ALODIANS, ALL KINDS OF PAINTS, SPECIAL MISSILE SKIN REPAIR KITS. [5] The B-52s did not get to travel nearly as much as the KC-135s. History. The P-6E was quite a good-looking airplane, and became the most famous of the Hawk line of biplane fighters. Neither Michigan nor any U.S. officials have conducted a comprehensive study on the contaminants and pollutants under the base. The "Red Tail" P-51 Mustangs flown by the Tuskeegee Airmen []. This man later took the proposal to build a gunnery range to the people of Oscoda. Since, 2010 sampling by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the U.S. Air Force has identified elevated levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in drinking water wells and some locally caught fish and deer. [1] As tensions increased around the world and the likelihood of an actual mission being flown while on ready alert increased, the week, The typical activities while not on ready alert varied greatly, from person to person. [THE FLINT JOURNAL VIA AP] Fast forward to 1992, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the US Air Force inactivated Strategic Air Command. I served at Wurtsmith from 1974-1977 my whole family has suffered from various ongoing ailments. Since 1994, the Wurtsmith Air Museum has upheld the mission of preserving the history of the history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base (an integral part of the US Air Force from 1923 until 1993) and aviation in Northeast Michigan. WAFB began operations in 1923, under the name of Camp Skeel, and was officially named the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in 1953. Poison Spring: The Secret History of Pollution and the EPA. There is an ongoing project to decontaminate the area. Wurtsmith Today The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (AFB) properties are being reutilized by 28 businesses and agencies that collectively employ more than 1,660 workers (representing 240 percent of civilian jobs lost). Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Oscoda /. This article is from 2018.. It was also possible for these missions to originate in the United States. Military Bases Linked to Cancer and Health Problems In 1953 it was renamed Wurtsmith Air Force Base after Michigan native, Major General Paul Wurtsmith. A single-seat low-wing fighter developed for the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) by Republic Aviation, it was the largest single-engined piston fighter ever produced. See: Organochlorine Pesticides Levels at George AFB Family Housing, CERCLA 120(h) Quitclaim Deed Restrictions for the George AFB Family Housing, Organochlorine Pesticide Contamination at George AFB Schools, Terri Crooks won her VA C&P Claim for service connected injury for her exposure to chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), Frank Vera www.BaseFamilyHousing.Info PO Box 1313 Jamestown, CA, 95327-1313 Phone: 209-782-4541, Copyright 2020 - BaseFamilyHousing.Info. March 7, 1942: The first class of Tuskegee Airmen graduate from U.S. Army Air Force Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. Contaminated water still plagues lakeside community in Michigan What us the compensation for this? Double Jeopardy - Exposed at Kadena and Wurtsmith - Civilian Exposure It was the most horrible thing I have ever witnessed, she said. Theseplanes would regularly fly missions from Wurtsmith Air Force Base during thecold war. I lived in base housing, I want to say 8607H Ohio from 82-84. Most individuals are not educated on what the base did before and after World War II, what is currently happening at this location, or how the historical space is impacting the land and local citizens today. The Lackland Air Force Base Education Center is located at 1550 Wurtsmith Street, Suite 5. .

Scarf Trick Gone Wrong, Trane Furnace Conversion Kit, Family Physicians Of Gahanna Patient Portal, Bdo Alchemy Stone Growth Chance, Samantha Power Husband Accident, Articles W