If a banker had not taken Lt. Whitehead on a fishing trip there would not have been an Air Force Base in Oscoda Michigan. [3], www.nytimes.com/1988/10/12/us/six-are-killed-in-crash-of-an-air-force-tanker.html, www.wurtsmithairmuseum.org/Wurtsmith_AFB/wurtsmith_afb.html, www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Wurtsmith_AFB.htm, www.strategic-air-command.com/wings/0379bw.htm, http://ss.sites.mtu.edu/mhugl/2015/10/11/wurtsmith-air-force-base/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurtsmith_Air_Force_Base. Dallas Naval base, Texas. A total of 15,683 Thunderbolts were produced by wars end, more than any other U.S. fighter. This happened a couple weeks before the IOC which is in the wing,ahistorical records on microfilm. Because of the restriction of being close to the Christmas tree theyresorted to playing cards, working out, reading, and sleeping while they werenot conducting recurrent training to stay up to date and proficient on theirequipment. [1] This includes on base housing, a daycare center for children, a doctors office, a fully equipped gym, and a store where basic necessities were available, military police, office space, and everything necessary to ensure the planes are fully functioning and ready to fly missions. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. 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. .. did this bill die in the committee s? 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. It had everything in it. On June 30, , 1993 the 379th Bomb Wing was disbanded and Wurtsmith Air Force Base was closed. At this time, the camp was renamed and the airfield was under III Fighter Command jurisdiction. The brown tint is (mostly) caused by scale build up in the pipes being knocked loose. Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had manydifferent missions. Mrs. Cecil V. Fowler saw the crash, according to the Times Herald article. The human-made chemicals are in your blood, your clothes, your cosmetics. A map of the base locations listed above can be viewed below. Dover Air Force base, Delaware. 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. Like the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth and Newington, the former Michigan base is now a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) site. [1] This was followed by one and a half weeks of normal day to day activities, until the flight crew relieved crew on ready alert in the bunkers. Stay tuned for further developments. The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (WAFB), located in Oscoda, Iosco County, MI operated from 1924 to 1993. . 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. [1] On May 9th 1961 the first B-52 landed in Wurtsmith Air Force Basesignifying the re-designation to a Strategic Air Command Base. As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. 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. 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. I worked on the flight line. This resulted in KC-135 squadrons spending a greater amount of time on temporary duty assignments than other squadrons from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Veteran Compensation Programs (www.veteranprograms.com) does not monitor, pre-screen or moderate posts, surveys, topics, comments, blogs or responses. 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. [6] The 379th Bomb Wing wasdisbanded on June 30th 1993. Even studies on fish have been done, where it was found that PFOA is a liver carcinogen in rainbow trout. 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. My ex wife has thyroid disease and auto immune disease. Typical occurrences on Wurtsmith Air Force Base included planes flying in and out on missions. The good speed of the P-6E was counterbalanced by some unsatisfacory handling characteristics which made it sluggish in response to controls. [1] These mission were into Iraq. Wurtsmith Air, Force Base was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this. At Oscoda Army Air Field, from the Group Historian: Over the sandy pine shores of Lake Huron, pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group polished up their flight and gunnery tactics for threat inevitable test of their skill and courage which will eventually lead them to pursuit and battle in the skies of Europe and Asia. By the end of November 1943 all training for the 332nd had been completed at Oscoda and the Group departed for overseas. My daughter was born at the base hospital. Because of this KC-135 squadrons would routinely fly 175 day assignments and return to their home base. Their water table has been contaminated with high levels of PFOA because of the leakage of chemicals from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich., served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. A ground-water divide cuts diagonally across the Base from northwest to . 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. Lester Graham. These levels were published by the Enviromental Protection Agency (Mlive.com). People who are exposed every day for an extended period of time are the ones who start to see real problems, some of which I mentioned above. When the Gulf War started in 1990, the 379, Bomber Wing sent B-52s as well as their accompanying KC-135s into the Middle East. No injuries to the pilot. 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. [1] This meant that there was always at least three, B-52s armed with nuclear bombs, ready to take off at a moments notice. Aircraft rolled 630 feet before nosing over. 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. Pieces include the engine, the tail, part of the door and the 37-millimeter cannon that fired through the propeller hub. [1] Mr. Norton, arrived fresh from navigation school as a 2nd Lieutenant at Wurtsmith Air Force, Base in the fall of 1985. I am not a doctor or attorney, and cannot give medical advice or legal advice. He was training with fellow pilots out of what was then Selfridge Field when his plane crashed. According to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the private well located across the road from Oscoda High School tested about the 70 parts-per-trillion advisory level that was established for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS). 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 . With this long list of negative effects it is clearly a big health issue for local residents. With all of this in a single family, the V.A. Physical Location:4071 East Van Ettan StreetOscoda, Michigan 48750, Mailing Address:PO Box 664Oscoda, Michigan 48750, Tele: (989) 739-7555(Not answered Nov-Apr)Email:email@wurtsmithairmuseum.net, AN ARTIFACT FROM WURTSMITHS COLD WAR PAST HAS RETURNED HOME, There was one final project I wanted to accomplish before departing my assignment as Flight Commander of Aircrew Flight Equipment and SERE at the. We didnt know really what we had.. There is a lot of open runways still today that can be rented out for a multitude of events. As a young airman, assumed we were returning the stuff to supply to send to the next base. Michigan Radio. I do hope there is information on Wurtsmith AFB soon. [5] Assuming the equipment, personnel and aircraft of the 4026th Strategicwing as it was disbanded. During World War II, P-47 fighters were assigned to Oscoda. Theyre looking for other divers who can assist with the effort. Wurtsmith Air Force base was one of fivenorthern tier bases in the Strategic Air Commands arsenal. These Air Force bases were remote. There is an ongoing project to decontaminate the area. The airplane operated on a flight from Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport, MI to Oscoda-Wurtsmith AFB, MI (OSC). OSCODA, Mich. - Oscoda residents and PFAS activists today held a press conference on the shores of Van Etten Lake to set the record straight on the Air Force's contamination of their community from the former Wurtsmith Air . One of these men were named Lt. Ennis Whitehead. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. [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. Lora Cole, 1/8/20 I am the daughter to a vet that was in this I was a baby at the time. However, the drawdown was fairly rapid after that and they were quickly replaced by P-38s, P-47s and P-51s. 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. History. It is one of the most famous bases located in our state. 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. [3], [1] Dave Norton, Former United States Air Force Captain, interviewed on 23 OCT 2017, [2] Ap. The P-6 Hawk (1932-1937) Aircraft was @ Oscoda. [1] This meant that there was always at least threeB-52s armed with nuclear bombs, ready to take off at a moments notice. The single officers who lived on base lived in a dorm type building. The P-6 was generally similar to the P-1 in construction and appearance. Many tests have been done to see the extent to which the contamination is harming the citizens residing in the area. The Au Sable River is an attraction for families all around Michigan. 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. August 8, 2018. The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American members of the 332nd Fighter Group and 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Force who fought in Europe during World War II. The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. This lead to Wurtsmith transferring to Air Combat Command control, and then on June 30th 1993, Wurtsmith Air Force Base closed. If your base is not on the map or list above, this does not mean you were not exposed to PFAS chemicals from firefighting foam. Because of the economic impact of Wurtsmith Air Force Base the community was generally supportive of the airmen, and the base itself. Im using a combination of several source materials to tell the history of the area. 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. These organizations primarily fall into seven types of activities: aviation, manufacturing, technology, medical, housing, education, community services and technology. 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. The Realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base. The letter never said what I was objecting to, but that I was refusing to for a lawful order. empty, 3310 lb gross. /. This is an evolving issue with many moving parts. [1] On May 9th 1961 the first B-52 landed in Wurtsmith Air Force Base, signifying the re-designation to a Strategic Air Command Base. The average person has around 3 or 4 parts per billion of these chemicals present in their blood. There is no amount of PFOA that is officially recognized as harmful. However, many studies have shown otherwise. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Most individuals are not educated on what the base did before and after World War II, what is currently happening at this . to the proper paperwork being completed to allow the missions to continue. During the Gulf War these planes were run practically 24/7, landing only to swap flight crews to meet the flight crew rest requirements. At the start of 1985, Wurtsmith maintained an $80 million annual payroll with 3,600 military and civilian personnel. 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. Bert E. Skeel was a WWI pilot who died in an air race in Ohio. Airplane nosed over when landing gear tire casing failed, locking the right wheel. [1] On the first Wednesday thefresh flight crew would relive the current flight crew in the bunkers. USVCP Staff Writers . A bomber squadron for example would be sent out to destroy a target and return to its home base within a week. Published August 24, 2021 at 4:15 PM EDT. [3] Search Superfund Site Information. EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 28 Dec. 2016, cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0503675. 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. More individuals impacted by these chemicals are Cindi and Lawrence Ashbeck. In 1977 the 379th Bomb Wing upgraded the B-52H fleet to B-52G, During the Gulf War B-52s from Wurtsmith Air Force Base were flown. In this June 6, 2018 photo, PFAS foam washes up on the shoreline of Van Etten Lake in Oscoda Township, Mich., near Wurtsmith Air Force Base. High blood serum levels of PFOA are associated with infertility, decreased semen quality, and a higher risk of thyroid disease. The Air Force . Why are you focusing only on chlordane and other organochlorine pesticide (OCP) contamination at the Family Housing? In their letter, the members expressed their concerns that the Air Force's proposed remediation plan . I served at Wurtsmith from 1974-1977 my whole family has suffered from various ongoing ailments. It is perhaps the best-known of all the between wars Army pursuits. After a devastating fire in Oscoda which cleared over 600 buildings, the remaining citizens heard about the proposal to clear an area for the base. A total 9589 Airacobras were built before production finally ended on July 25, 1944. 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. Theyve seen lots of things underwater, but the story of the P-39 fighter lost just off the Port Huron beachfront touched them. [ July 4, 2018 ] Grissom Air Force Base, ID Air Force [ May 28, 2018 ] March Air Force Base, CA Air Force [ February 17, 2018 ] Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Navy [ November 5, 2017 ] Fort William D. Davis , Panama Army [ August 28, 2017 ] Naval Air Station Alameda, CA Navy [ March 19, 2016 ] Wurtsmith Air Force Base, MI Air Force [ June 2 . What they had was a one-seat warplane piloted by 2nd Lt. Frank H. Moody, of Los Angeles. The 5,223-acre Wurtsmith Air Force Base (Wurtsmith AFB) is located on the northeastern part of Michigan's lower peninsula. [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. [1] Mr. Norton also landed. These chemicals have been shown to cause problems with thyroid, liver, kidney, reproduction, and other health problems. In March of 1943, the Third Air Force reactivated the field for training of black aviators. [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at WurtsmithAir Force Base. There are many different ways that PFOA and PFOS can affect the human body. It was criticized for its low service ceiling, its slow rate of climb, and its generally poor high-altitude performance. "It was a city within a city. Testing by the Air Force has found high levels of the toxic chemical PFOS in the foam near a plume coming from the former nuclear bomber base. The base is influential in Michigan, as well as the United States military history. 70-77 lived on base housing with family, flight line assistant supervisor. [2] Another unfortunate occurrence that Happened more than it should have were Court-Martials. Wurtsmith got its start in 1923 as Loud-Reames Aviation Field, a soft-surface landing site for Arm Air Corps aircraft from Selfridge Field. She gave Kelly the rundown of the base. U.S. It was eerie, David Losinski said. 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. It has found from testing this area that some places to have over 1000 parts-per-trillion for PFOS and PFOA. The 4026th was a SAC Major Command controlled (MAJCON) wing that had been organized on 1 August 1958. Within a few days, a mere 28 Airmen established housing for over 400 personnel, replete with . I didnt know anything about the Tuskegee Airmen until we got into this.. I saw a big splash, and then the plane went out of sight.. The 1st Combat Evaluation Group (initially "1CEG", later "1CEVG") was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit. 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] While this was a relatively boring week, it was extremely stressful, because no one knew when the alarm would sound, but more importantly no one, knew if it would be a drill or not. My first daughter was born there at their hospital.my ex husband now, is very sick. All the artifacts that were taken off were replaced in their original position and original situation except for the tag we cleaned up, he said. I still stay in touch with Gary but do not know if he has an e-mail account. We have a lot of sick civilians and = veterans from contaminated drinking water. 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. The 700 hp Conqueror engine was exceptionally powerful for its day, but it had many minor and some major faults which needed to be corrected. Tests in Michigan near the former Wurtsmith Air Force base have found PFOS in groundwater at levels as high as 42,000 ppt. My first assignment as a Nuclear Weapons specialist was at wurtsmith where we deployed the AGM 69A SRAM missile system. It has been discovered that the chemicals that are impacting the health of these local citizens are chemicals that come from the foam that fire fighters used to put out fires that were on the base. China Lake Naval base, California. In 2016, residents near Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan discovered that the water they drank, bathed in, swam in, and fished in was contaminated with jet fuel, cancer-causing chlorinated . 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. 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. Service ceiling 27,200 feet, and range was 260 miles. On the other hand, the rear-mounted engine offered increased maneuverability since the weight of the plane would be near its center of gravity. The KC-135s would finish one mission and there would be another one waiting for them as soon as they were available. Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920's to June 3rd 1993. . Theseplanes would regularly fly missions from Wurtsmith Air Force Base during thecold war. 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. It was formed on 1 August 1961 to merge the 3908th Strategic Standardization Group for SAC aircrew evaluation with the 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group that had originated from the 263rd Army Air Force Base Unit which transferred from 15th AF to directly under Strategic Air Command c. [5] One crew flew 29mission out of Jeddah, setting the record for most missions flew by a bombercrew in theater. [5] One crew flew 29, mission out of Jeddah, setting the record for most missions flew by a bomber, crew in theater. This gave the Army operations the opportunity to begin creating the base we know today. WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. All Rights Reserved. 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 . Now, I have been diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure and congestive heart disease, I am currently on dialysis awaiting a kidney transplant. Fast forward to 1992, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the US Air Force inactivated Strategic Air Command. Call 205.328.9200 Claim Application. 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. From humble beginnings in the 1920's as a aircraft gunnery range, to its status as a vital member of our strategic defense, Wurtsmith Air Force Base has distinguished itself as an important part of our country's military history. An unusual feature of the P-39 Airacobra was the automobile-type doors that had roll-down windows on each side of the cockpit. Now I see this years later. Aug 24, 2021. [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. 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).