Because the Committee on Toxicology (NRC, 1979) concluded that it could not determine a level of exposure to chlordane below which there would be no biologic effect under conditions of prolonged exposure of families in military housing. The pesticide levels and CERCLA 120(h) Deed Restrictions are public information and readily available. [5] While the 379thBomb Wing was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base they were part of the ReadyAlert Nuclear Strike Force. [1] This tight knit community was not confined to just the Air Force Base, but extended into the community as well. March 7, 1942: The first class of Tuskegee Airmen graduate from U.S. Army Air Force Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. This man later took the proposal to build a gunnery range to the people of Oscoda. It was also possible for these missions to originate in the United States. [1] This meant that they could be flying a mission supporting a fighter squadron in Iraq, then be redirected to refuel a bomber squadron over Saudi Arabia, then fly back to Spain to land. All Rights Reserved. [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at WurtsmithAir Force Base. This building was like the barracks, but each officer had his own room. While the vast majority of personnel on Wurtsmith Air, Force Base were not part of a flight crew rotating through ready alert, their, respective jobs all served to ensure those planes could take off at a moments, notice. The runways were aligned NE/SW, E/W, and NW/SE. Published August 24, 2021 at 4:15 PM EDT. The intent is to create a self-help registry for those who were harmed by the extremely toxic organochlorine pesticide contamination detected at Military Family Housing. On the other hand, the rear-mounted engine offered increased maneuverability since the weight of the plane would be near its center of gravity. State officials' concerns about pollution in the area date back to 2012, when the health department issued a "do not eat" advisory for all fish caught near Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Continued study of ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, defined the movement and distribution of volatile organic compounds in the glacial sand and gravel aquifer at known sites of contamination, and has defined new plumes at two other sites. It still haunts me today that we had to do that and were told to just follow orders. There are many historical planes you can visit as well as other interesting pieces of history that the public may view. I still stay in touch with Gary but do not know if he has an e-mail account. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. The Strategic Air Command activated a wing there on August 1, 1958. In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. All kind of special chemicals that Boeing told the USAF we had to have. This is desirable from a strategic standpoint, but for the airmen that served on the bases themselves this meant that they were removed from the vast majority of society. The aquifer overlies a thick clay layer at an average depth of 65 feet. The Au Sable River is an attraction for families all around Michigan. These organizations primarily fall into seven types of activities: aviation, manufacturing, technology, medical, housing, education, community services and technology. I am not a doctor or attorney, and cannot give medical advice or legal advice. They have been detected in air, water, soils, sediments, and in rain at levels that would be considered unsafe in drinking . Like the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth and Newington, the former Michigan base is now a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) site. While the vast majority of personnel on Wurtsmith AirForce Base were not part of a flight crew rotating through ready alert, theirrespective jobs all served to ensure those planes could take off at a momentsnotice. The P-39 had a unique configuration with the engine placed behind the pilot and the drive shaft running under the cockpit to the propeller. Aug 24, 2021. DISCLAIMER: Information displayed on U.S. U.S. The landing gear was changed from rubber-block shock absorbers inside the fuselage to oleo-and-spring units mounted in the outer forward strut. Nothing contained herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of a competent Veteran Service Officer (VSO)in good standing and licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. The chemicals, notably benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE), were documented at extremely high levels in Wurstmith AFB water many times when the former Strategic Air Command (SAC) base was active and home to B-52 Bomber Wings. There is no amount of PFOA that is officially recognized as harmful. However, many studies have shown otherwise. Moodys body was not recovered until it washed ashore in Port Huron on June 4, 1944 two days before D-Day and the invasion of Normandy. The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. I served at Wurtsmith from 1974-1977 my whole family has suffered from various ongoing ailments. This unfortunately happened on October 11. , 1988 when KC-135 crashed with 6 crew members and 10 passengers on board. [6] The 379th Bomb Wing wasdisbanded on June 30th 1993. These mission were into Iraq. Veteran Compensation Programs (veteranprograms.com) assumes NO liability, and expressly disclaims any and all responsibility, for the content of all posts, surveys, topics, comments, blogs or responses. I was born on base November 1978, and lived on base with my mom, brother born 1989 on base, and my dad, a civil engineer stationed on base until oct 1982. It is primarily a large jet airplane salvage, jet engine maintenance and light general aviation . The Airacobra reached its peak usage in the USAAF in early 1944, with over 2100 in service. The base was put into a standby status to be there just in case something happened in those areas. There are many people who were exposed to the Wurtsmith water that are now coming out and blaming the chemical filled drinking water for their health problems. 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. In 1955 Wurtsmith Air Force Base became an official permanent post in the United States Air Force, which meant that many new services were implemented on base. One of these men were named Lt. Ennis Whitehead. Survived stage 3 oral cancer and per medical review, origin unknown since I have never smoked. The P-47s radial engine proved remarkably resistant to battle damage and, with its heavy armament and well-armored cockpit, the Thunderbolt established a reputation as one of the most effective fighter-bombers of the war. Theseplanes would regularly fly missions from Wurtsmith Air Force Base during thecold war. [1] This would result in a large amount of paperwork and extra expenses for the Air Force. Stationed there for 84-88 and am suffering with a motor neuron disease process. Veteran Compensation Programs. Anyone know the status on this? The 379th Bomb Wing moved to Wurtsmith Air Force Base in June of19661. Leaking chemical storage tanks and waste disposal operations contaminated soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. [4] Its mission was tomaintain half of the fleet on a 15 minute alert, meaning the plane could be inthe air in 15 minutes, to reduce vulnerability to a Soviet preemptive missilestrike. A sand and gravel aquifer of glacial origin underlies Wurtsmith Air Force Base in northeastern lower Michigan. (Superstorm) Sandy came along (in October) and moved things around, David Losinski said. Therefore, regardless of the location of cancer in your body, we strongly encourage you to contact our law firm if you spent time at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, either as a veteran or as a family member of one, to recover the financial compensation you are entitled to. [1] Mr. Norton also landedthe first KC-135 in operation Southern Watch. Representatives Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) today urged the U.S. Air Force to take more significant steps to address PFAS contamination around the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base near Oscoda. The Losinskis havent abandoned their quest to bring this long-forgotten chapter in the history of World War II to light. distance from the bunker. Wurtsmith Air Force base was one of five, northern tier bases in the Strategic Air Commands arsenal. Aircraft upper wing, left lower wing, rudder and propeller damaged. With all of this in a single family, the V.A. [4] On August 1st 1958 the 4026th Strategic Wing was formed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. [5] One crew flew 29, mission out of Jeddah, setting the record for most missions flew by a bomber, crew in theater. Traci Kroushour, an Oscoda resident until the age of 12, had her uterus removed at the age of 28 and can never have children. This lead to Wurtsmith transferring to Air Combat Command control, and then on June 30th 1993, Wurtsmith Air Force Base closed. https://www.oscairport.com/index.php/available-properties/, https://www.oscairport.com/index.php/development-site/, https://www.afhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/APH-Winter2016.pdf, http://www.armytimes.com/story/news/2014/07/30/divers-find-wreckage-of-world-war-ii-era-plane/13354373/, https://wurtsmithairmuseum.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Air-Refueling-Squadron-_-Real-People-_-George-Schlatter720p.mp4. In 1942, three 5000x150 concrete runways were built. Lt. Ennis also thought it would be a great place for young Army Air corps to test aircraft (WAFB.net). U.S. The ROAM system ensures that aircraft are serviced . It remained named Camp Skeel until 1942 when it was renamed Oscoda Army Air Field (WAFB.net). Only after, the plains were airborne would the crew be notified if it was a drill or not.[1]. [1]After one week in the bunker on ready alert the flight crew would be relieved. These, planes would regularly fly missions from Wurtsmith Air Force Base during the, The 379th Bomb Wing moved to Wurtsmith Air Force Base in June of, 19661. We thought that was kind of unbelievable.. Today, the Wurtsmith Air Force Base has a museum where you can learn about its history. There is a lot of open runways still today that can be rented out for a multitude of events. Within a few days, a mere 28 Airmen established housing for over 400 personnel, replete with . Just run the water until it clears up. In March of 1943, the Third Air Force reactivated the field for training of black aviators. Timothy Marcum, 1/15/2071-73 camp lejeune nc bad water va in redding pretends they know nothing about having problems. The P-6 Hawk (1932-1937) Aircraft was @ Oscoda. History Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. Following cleanup, operation and maintenance activities are ongoing. Section 107, the written material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for educational purposes. Mr. Norton would occasionally return to fresh fish left by his neighbor on his porch. Wurtsmith Air Force Base. A Brief History of Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, www.wurtsmithairmuseum.org/Wurtsmith_AFB/wurtsmith_afb.html. Paul B. Wurtsmith Air Force Base closed in 1993, dealing a sharp blow to the economy of rural Iosco County. [1] This meant that there was always at least threeB-52s armed with nuclear bombs, ready to take off at a moments notice. [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. TCE in another well on Jet Street near the present day Wurtsmith AFB museum was 1,739-ppb. The base is influential in Michigan, as well as the United States military history. The water table is about 10 feet below land surface in the western part of the Base and about 25 feet below land surface in the eastern part. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich., served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. These levels were published by the Enviromental Protection Agency (Mlive.com). 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. In 1979, the state of Michigan sued the Air Force for the contamination. I remember getting a letter of counseling when I wanted to object as a warning what could happen. Because of this KC-135 squadrons would routinely fly 175 day assignments and return to their home base. The Air Force's decline to commit to Michigan's standards is among a litany of frustrations Oscoda residents say they have .
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