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The Au Sable River is an attraction for families all around Michigan. The cockpit canopy offered exceptional all-round visibility for the pilot. [1], These KC-135s were necessary because the B-52 could not take off with both a, full load of ordnance and a full tank of gas.[1]. The P-47 Thunderbolt fighter and fighter-bomber was used by the Allied air forces during World War II. Wurtsmith Air Force Base History - Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority The letter never said what I was objecting to, but that I was refusing to for a lawful order. The KC-135s would finish one mission and there would be another one waiting for them as soon as they were available. As soon as an assignment went over 180 days it was considered a permanent change in duty station. At one point, they had to use these toxic foam chemicals to put out a fire at the Oscoda High School in 1995. [1], The ready alert flight crews were rotated on a three week cycle. Why women were told 'Don't get pregnant at George Air Force Base' 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. He saw the surrounding land and figured it would make a great place for a gunnery range. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. 1946. Heavily armed with eight wing-mounted 0.50-inch (12.7-mm) machine guns, it could carry a bomb load of as much as 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg) and could carry ten 5-inch (127-mm) rockets beneath the wings. PFOA exposure is also shown to be associated with increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children between ages 12-15. still rejects and "nexus" to the toxic chemicals on the base. Like the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth and Newington, the former Michigan base is now a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) site. I was shocked when we drove to a wooded area not far from bomber alert pad and WSA up the road of the k9 area where a bull dozed had dug a large trench and we were ordered to dump the shit. These mission were into Iraq. A brief history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base - WAFB Chanute Air Force base, Illinois. 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. Aircraft upper wing, left lower wing, rudder and propeller damaged. One of the unfortunate risks in flying is a crash. http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/wurtsmith_pfas_pfc_april_45_me.html. These organizations primarily fall into seven types of activities: aviation, manufacturing, technology, medical, housing, education, community services and technology. [5] The 379th flew with a Triangle K tail flash to continue thetradition from their World War II counterparts. Because of the economic impact of Wurtsmith Air Force Base the community was generally supportive of the airmen, and the base itself. Wurtsmith Air Force Base | Military Wiki | Fandom The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality released a report Thursday, Aug. 30, concluding that Wurtsmith wells were 'likely impacted' by PFAS contamination between 1978 and 1997, when municipal water from Lake Huron was brought to the base. Facebook: Wurtsmith AFB Water Health Issues via water Created to serve as a reference point for former WAFB residents to share information regarding health issues, and probable chemical exposure via base water sources. [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. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Oscoda 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. Did Wurtsmith Air Force Base cause health woes? - Detroit Free Press There is no amount of PFOA that is officially recognized as harmful. However, many studies have shown otherwise. There are many good photos of P-39s at Selfridge Field (Posted below), but none of P-39s at Oscoda. Published August 24, 2021 at 4:15 PM EDT. In addition, it would facilitate the installation of nose cannon since the armament could be mounted near the centerline, minimizing the effects of recoil forces. These planes arrived at dawn on the first day of the Gulf War. We didnt know really what we had.. The aquifer overlies a thick clay layer at an average depth of 65 feet. Multi-capable Airmen sustain strategic - Joint Base Charleston As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. The state says, We dont have jurisdiction over that; its the Air Force, Losinski said. 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. Paul B. Wurtsmith Air Force Base closed in 1993, dealing a sharp blow to the economy of rural Iosco County. According to the Air Force's account, in October 1977, a Wurtsmith base housing resident complained about a peculiar odor and taste in the drinking water. History Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. Deliveries of the first P-6s were late, the first example not appearing until October 1929. Bert E. Skeel in 1924. 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. China Lake Naval base, California. Because of the restriction of being close to the Christmas tree they, resorted to playing cards, working out, reading, and sleeping while they were, not conducting recurrent training to stay up to date and proficient on their, equipment. I remember getting a letter of counseling when I wanted to object as a warning what could happen. 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. This judgement flies in the face provided by the federal ATSDR and the National Institute of Health. The sources Im using include The Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFRA); Photo collections from Wurtsmith Museum; Photo collections from Selfridge Museum, Selfridge AFB Historical files; and Aircraft Accident Reports. http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/06/wurtsmith_veterans_health.html, http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/11/13/deq-we-dont-yet-know-full-extent-wurtsmith-air-base-contamination/93242484/, https://www.publicintegrity.org/2017/08/18/21105/military-bases-contamination-will-affect-water-generations, http://www.wurtsmithairmuseum.org/Wurtsmith_AFB/wurtsmith_afb.html, Military History of the Upper Great Lakes. Poison Spring: The Secret History of Pollution and the EPA. 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. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. For example a KC-135 could take off from Wurtsmith Air Force Base, fly across the Pacific Ocean, land in Spain, have the flight crew be relieved by a fresh crew, fly into theater, complete the mission and return to Spain, where the original crew would be rested and ready to fly the KC-135 back to Wurtsmith Air Force Base. The Wurtsmith base closed in 1991, sending the Harrises to Plattsburgh, N.Y., where friends and neighbors remembered the boys as Scouts and Little Leaguers, and their parents as being involved in . In a nutshell, this is what were trying to do get permission to relocate the parts so they would resemble a plane, David Losinski said. I saw a big splash, and then the plane went out of sight.. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. This article is from 2018.. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Wikipedia TCE in another well on Jet Street near the present day Wurtsmith AFB museum was 1,739-ppb. 379th Air Expeditionary Wing | Military Wiki | Fandom Weve done quite a bit of documenting and measuring, David Losinski said. It has found from testing this area that some places to have over 1000 parts-per-trillion for PFOS and PFOA. Then everything happened so fast it seems unbelievable. 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. There are many different ways that PFOA and PFOS can affect the human body. There were four planes, and I was watching them from our front window, as I usually do when theyre engaged in gunnery practice. In 1979, the state of Michigan sued the Air Force for the contamination. In a fly off against the contemporary Boeing P-12B, the P-6E was faster, but the P-12B was more maneuverable. For more information regarding services offered by the Lackland Air Force Base Education Center, call 210-671-2895 or DSN 473-2895. . Peters: Air Force Must Immediately Prior | Senator Gary Peters Michigan Radio. During World War II, P-47 fighters were assigned to Oscoda. [1] This was further broken down by marital status. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. The EPA Superfund Contaminants of Concern Update of June 3, 2016 lists all the same contaminants listed in 38-3307(7)(i) as it relates to USMC Camp Lejeune water contaminants. We knew we had some kind of plane.. This includes extra parts, munitions, fuel, and flight crews. Theyre looking for other divers who can assist with the effort. These chemicals have been shown to cause problems with thyroid, liver, kidney, reproduction, and other health problems. [5] Wurtsmith AFB, Mich SAC 379th Bomb Wing B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Wurtsmith_AFB.htm. Wurtsmith Air Force Base. A Brief History of Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, www.wurtsmithairmuseum.org/Wurtsmith_AFB/wurtsmith_afb.html. We have a lot of sick civilians and = veterans from contaminated drinking water. The views and opinions expressed in this website/articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the U.S. government, We are the men and women of the U.S. Military, Wurtsmith AFB is a Superfund Site. [4] On August 1st 1958 the 4026th Strategic Wing was formed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. 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. Wurtsmith Air, Force Base was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this. The Realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base. This would cause some big problems for the fish and other life that lives beneath the surface. The 379th was reassigned to Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan without personnel or equipment in January 1961, assuming the aircraft, personnel and equipment of the discontinued 4026th Strategic Wing. As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. Environmental context Total organofluorine and known fluorosurfactants were quantified in 11 aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) used to extinguish fires in Ontario, Canada, and one commercial AFFF product. As Michigan makes PFAS strides, Oscoda residents say Air Force is Wurtsmith AirForce Base was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this. At least thirty French piloted P-47 aircraft accidents were reported at Oscoda AAF during the time period 1944-1945 and resulted in at least four pilots killed. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is said to have originally started with a fishing trip between two men. Mr. Norton would occasionally return to fresh fish left by his neighbor on his porch. It was built out of a portion of the decommissioned Wurtsmith Air Force Base which housed nuclear armed B-52 Stratofortress bombers during the Cold War as well as air refueling squadrons. 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. The average person has around 3 or 4 parts per billion of these chemicals present in their blood. Oscoda, Michigan and Tales of Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Postcard History Call 205.328.9200 Claim Application. [2] The flight crashed at 2:20PM while returning from K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula. 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. They also were known as the Red Tails because they painted the tails of their aircraft red. These are simply the specific . Located in Iosco County, Michigan, Wurtsmith Air Force Base operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. 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. [1], The northern tier Strategic Air Command Ready Alert Strike Force bases were considered less than desirable duty stations for one main reason. Neither Michigan nor any U.S. officials have conducted a comprehensive study on the contaminants and pollutants under the base. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. 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. All four of the the guys that were in that flight were from Tuskegee, Losinksi said. While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a wholelot to do. The Losinskis found an account of the crash in the Times Herald. View All Homes - Homes for Rent 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. I am pretty sure Diabetes and Sleep Apnea I have now and neuro dammage in both arms are related , So Presumptive Claims puzzleing I have a claim in and never heard anything I know Senator Kilddee of Michigan is trying to help veterans on this matter but congress are dragging this out. Investigating PFAS in Michigan | ATSDR On June 30th, 1993 the 379th Bomb Wing was disbanded and Wurtsmith Air Force Base was closed. 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. 1st Combat Evaluation Group Within a few days, a mere 28 Airmen established housing for over 400 personnel, replete with . Our biodegradation . In March of 1943, the Third Air Force reactivated the field for training of black aviators. Feds: Wurtsmith veterans could get cancer, other health problems from Marie and the straights of Mackinac. [5] The B-52s did not get to travel nearly as much as the KC-135s. to share information regarding health issues, and probable chemical exposure via base water sources. [2] Another unfortunate occurrence that Happened more than it should have were Court-Martials. A ground-water divide cuts diagonally across the Base from northwest to sou ircraft operated from Oscoda Army Airfield. If you, a friend, or loved one has been injured or died as a result of the contamination at a DOD Superfund Site please follow the steps that are outlined at Get Help. The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. He was stationed at the base. Cindi developed hypertension and Lawrence diagnosed with lung disease. In their letter, the members expressed their concerns that the Air Force's proposed remediation plan . Military challenging states on $2 billion chemical liability - Unwell Water Fast forward to 1992, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the US Air Force inactivated Strategic Air Command. Aug 24, 2021. Environmental groups issue report, 'setting the record straight' about Wurtsmith Air Force Base Toxic Exposure | ELG Law If you are interested in any particular aircraft of time period please let me know. Wurtsmith AFB Water Health Issues via water, Organochlorine Pesticides Levels at George AFB Family Housing. At just after 10 pm on the 30 th October, on-duty personnel at Wurtsmith Air Force Base would report seeing a strange object hovering over the . The 379th Bomb Wing moved to Wurtsmith Air Force Base in June of19661. A ground-water divide cuts diagonally across the Base from northwest to . 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. U.S. It was criticized for its low service ceiling, its slow rate of climb, and its generally poor high-altitude performance. 1970 - The Air Force knew that some of the Webb Air Force Base Family Housing units, located in Big Spring Texas, were contaminated with and the occupants exposed to a large quantity of chlordane. [1] At some point over the week an alarm would sound, signaling to the flight crew that the B-52s had to be in the air. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of theStrategic Air Commands bomber fleet. Veterans 'likely' drank PFAS at Wurtsmith air base I like combining historical photographs with the stories behind them. She also has many other irregular health problems including bone death, fibromyalgia, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal problems, and underdeveloped reproductive organs. Wurtsmith AFB and its Contamination - Military History of the Upper The history of Oscoda Military Aviation is the same as the History of the Air Force. Timothy Marcum, 1/15/2071-73 camp lejeune nc bad water va in redding pretends they know nothing about having problems. Wurtsmith Air Museum (Oscoda) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Most individuals are not educated on what the base did before and after World War II, what is currently happening at this . What are PFAS, how toxic are they and how do you become exposed? Now that the contamination has reached the Au Sable river, it could potentially carry this contamination into Lake Huron. My husband and our two children lived there from 1985-1993 I have a nerve problem my daughter has autoimmune (MS) youngest daughter has kidney problems. Military Bases Linked to Cancer and Health Problems This, flight crew would spend one week in the bunker and be confined to an undisclosed. [4] Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service. Typical occurrences on Wurtsmith Air Force Base included planes flying in and out on missions. Drinking Water At Wurtsmith AFB Contaminted. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in northeastern Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, a brief history and life on post My son, was born on the base, has a malformed aorta and congenital nerve damage hearing loss. Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920's to June 3rd 1993. . 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. Veteran Compensation Programs (USVCP) (www.veteranprograms.com), and any of their associated websites is for general informational. 1944 -- Maj. Gen. Paul B. Wurtsmith, born in Detroit in 1906, led U. S. Army Air Corps training flights to Camp Skeel near Oscoda prior to World War II. I was stationed there 1978 -81 lived on base they never told us about the water being contaminated . The P-6E was quite a good-looking airplane, and became the most famous of the Hawk line of biplane fighters. Typically, brown-ish water occurs when there is large change in pressure/flow in a distribution system. I served at Wursmith AFB from 1982 to 1989, living in base housing the entire time and drinking the water. He said the wreckage from the plane is scattered across the lake bottom. [5] While the 379thBomb Wing was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base they were part of the ReadyAlert Nuclear Strike Force. [THE FLINT JOURNAL VIA AP] The P-47D, in general service by the spring of 1944, had a maximum speed of 440 miles (700 km) per hour and a ceiling of 40,000 feet (12,200 meters). After being relieved, the flight crew had until the following Monday morning, off. These mission were into Iraq. [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at Wurtsmith, Air Force Base. The pilot apparently noticed it and tried to lift his ship. [1] While this was a relatively boring week, it was extremely stressfulbecause no one knew when the alarm would sound, but more importantly no oneknew if it would be a drill or not. 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. [1] [6], During the Gulf War B-52s from Wurtsmith Air Force Base were flownout of Prince Abdullah AB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Tests in Michigan near the former Wurtsmith Air Force base have found PFOS in groundwater at levels as high as 42,000 ppt. U.S. Spouse Connections Five & Thrive targets spouses' top five challenges [5] The 379th Bomb Wing immediately continued the 4026thStrategic Wing operations and training. The tire bead failed, allowing the casing to slip over the rim on one side and bind on edge of the wheel fairing on takeoff. Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich. The former base includes 4,626 acres (1,872 ha) located approximately two miles west of Lake Huron in the Charter Township of Oscoda, bordered by Van Ettan Lake, the Au . The human-made chemicals are in your blood, your clothes, your cosmetics. Six Are Killed in Crash Of an Air Force Tanker. The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 Oct. 1988, www.nytimes.com/1988/10/12/us/six-are-killed-in-crash-of-an-air-force-tanker.html. On the other hand, the rear-mounted engine offered increased maneuverability since the weight of the plane would be near its center of gravity. [1] Mr. Nortonarrived fresh from navigation school as a 2nd Lieutenant at Wurtsmith Air ForceBase in the fall of 1985. Although in the past the Wurtsmith Air Force Base was extremely successful there are some prevalent issues with it today. On May 9, 1961, the base took delivery of its first new Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress, The State of Michigan. Engine not damaged. I have had many other health issues since and have recently found all of this. In July 2018 the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), set the table for Congress to consider legislation that would force the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to extend health benefits to base veterans without making them prove their illnesses are linked to chemical exposure. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. As a young airman, assumed we were returning the stuff to supply to send to the next base. The ready alert flight crews were rotated on a three week cycle. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Alchetron, the free social encyclopedia 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. No injuries to the pilot. Kelly mentioned she'd been thinking about getting . Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan Redevelopment Profile As long as these assignments were under 180 days they were considered Temporary Duty Assignments. Thisflight crew would spend one week in the bunker and be confined to an undiscloseddistance from the bunker. "It was a city within a city. A sand and gravel aquifer of glacial origin underlies Wurtsmith Air Force Base in northeastern lower Michigan. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport - Wikipedia It has recently been discovered that that the base has been leaking chemicals into the surrounding waterways. This bunker compound housed, the flight crews on ready alert, the three B-52 bombers ready to take off at a, moments notice, and the accompanying KC-135s ready to top off the B-52s after takeoff. On June 30, , 1993 the 379th Bomb Wing was disbanded and Wurtsmith Air Force Base was closed. Wurtsmith Air Force Base | Detailed Pedia During those efforts, they noted several areas they wanted to investigate, including one about four miles north of the Blue Water Bridge. From: Members of the ground crew move a maintenance cart into position next to a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft parked on the flight line. The main mission of Oscoda Army Air Field, at the time, was to defend Sault Ste. The married enlisted airmen who lived on base lived in a condo type set up with their family. The presumptive disabilities from contaminated water at Wurtsmith AFB would lead to automatic compensation to potentially thousands of veterans.