We have a lot of sick civilians and = veterans from contaminated drinking water. 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. These bases were, responsible for a housing a Ready Alert Nuclear Strike Force. The airplane operated on a flight from Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport, MI to Oscoda-Wurtsmith AFB, MI (OSC). The Wurtsmith Air Force Base, created in 1923, played a large role in WWII. 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. Eielson Air Force base, Alaska. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of the, Strategic Air Commands bomber fleet. All Rights Reserved. [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. [2] Another unfortunate occurrence that Happened more than it should have were Court-Martials. The museum's exhibits are extensive and incredibly high-quality -- including several aircraft that can be examined up . Click on a marker for base information. City officials in Dayton, Ohio, have also found the response from the Air Force to cleanup contamination at Wright Patterson Air Force Base to be inadequate. [1], While Wurtsmith Air Force Base was its own little town, it was segregated by officers and enlisted. 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. Ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan Smoke started coming from the tail of the second plane, and I could see it was in trouble. Beginning in July 1944, the P-47 Thunderbolt was used extensively to train Free French Air Force pilots at Oscoda Army Air Field (AAF). [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. Pieces include the engine, the tail, part of the door and the 37-millimeter cannon that fired through the propeller hub. I have also read about the PFAS via fire retardant foam. This article is from 2018.. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport - Wikipedia Service ceiling 27,200 feet, and range was 260 miles. A ground-water divide cuts diagonally across the Base from northwest to sou Assessment of ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base 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. [5] Assuming the equipment, personnel and aircraft of the 4026th Strategic, wing as it was disbanded. Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920's to June 3rd 1993. . There are a lot of stories to tell. 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. 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. Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich. DOD Base Family Housing - Organochlorine Pesticide Contamination If you are interested in any particular aircraft of time period please let me know. They have been detected in air, water, soils, sediments, and in rain at levels that would be considered unsafe in drinking . 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. Only afterthe plains were airborne would the crew be notified if it was a drill or not. 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. The 1st Combat Evaluation Group (initially "1CEG", later "1CEVG") was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit. 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. He was training with fellow pilots out of what was then Selfridge Field when his plane crashed. Deliveries of the first P-6s were late, the first example not appearing until October 1929. The Allison V-1710-85 liquid-cooled V-12 engine behind the pilots seat drove the propeller by means of a driveshaft mounted under the pilots seat. The base is located in Oscoda, Iosco County, Michigan. They also were known as the Red Tails because they painted the tails of their aircraft red. The average person has around 3 or 4 parts per billion of these chemicals present in their blood. This resulted in KC-135 squadrons spending a greater amount of time on temporary duty assignments than other squadrons from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Mapping PFAS Chemical Contamination at 206 U.S. Military Sites These are simply the specific . 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. At the time, George was a hub of F-4 Phantom fighter jets and OV-10 Bronco reconnaissance planes. Learn how your comment data is processed. PFAS Military Base Lawsuits | Contaminated Water | ClassAction.org Wurtsmith AFB has a better paper trail showing irrefutable evidence of contamination of the base drinking water with Trichloroethelene (TCE) first discovered in 1977 as a result of a complaint from a base housing resident. 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. 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. During the Pacific conflicts personnel and the KC-135Stratotankers were deployed to forward bases in the Pacific to support landoperations. [1] Mr. Norton also landedthe first KC-135 in operation Southern Watch. Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda Township, Mich. U.S. Department of Defense In Oscoda, authorities tracked the contamination of Van Etten Lake to Wurtsmith Air Force Base , which closed in 1993. The 4026th was a SAC Major Command controlled (MAJCON) wing that had been organized on 1 August 1958. 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. She gave Kelly the rundown of the base. My daughter was born there on base in 1987 she has gastric issues, and was born w heart issues. U.S. Wurtsmith Air Force Base. A Brief History of Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, www.wurtsmithairmuseum.org/Wurtsmith_AFB/wurtsmith_afb.html. Oscoda PFAS Activists set the record straight on PFAS from U.S. Air This judgement flies in the face provided by the federal ATSDR and the National Institute of Health. Traci Kroushour, an Oscoda resident until the age of 12, had her uterus removed at the age of 28 and can never have children. 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. Wurtsmith Air Force Base | Military Wiki | Fandom We came across the gauge cluster, which had the radio call tag, David Losinski said. In March of 1943, the Third Air Force reactivated the field for training of black aviators. The ROAM system ensures that aircraft are serviced . Lt. Ennis also thought it would be a great place for young Army Air corps to test aircraft (WAFB.net). It still haunts me today that we had to do that and were told to just follow orders. 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. Why women were told 'Don't get pregnant at George Air Force Base' The Losinskis havent abandoned their quest to bring this long-forgotten chapter in the history of World War II to light. The Air Force . Spouse Connections Five & Thrive targets spouses' top five challenges [1] This meant that there was always at least three, B-52s armed with nuclear bombs, ready to take off at a moments notice. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. 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. Someone who works in a place that uses these chemicals and is exposed to them can have up to 100 parts per million, or 0.01%, in their blood. Wurtsmith AirForce Base was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this. 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. 1946. [5] One crew flew 29, mission out of Jeddah, setting the record for most missions flew by a bomber, crew in theater. The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (WAFB), located in Oscoda, Iosco County, MI operated from 1924 to 1993. The base is influential in Michigan, as well as the United States military history. 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. 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. [1], Over the course of Mr. Nortons career as both a KC-135 Navigator, and a DC-10 Pilot, Mr. Norton served as a flight commander, served numerous, deployments during the Gulf War escorting fighter squadrons from the United, States into theater, supporting fighter squadrons and bomber squadrons in, theater, served multiple temporary duty assignments to England, Spain, Saudi, Arabia, Alaska, and other Air Force Bases around the globe. What are PFAS, how toxic are they and how do you become exposed? In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. 1st Combat Evaluation Group 379th Air Expeditionary Wing | Military Wiki | Fandom After a trip to the Boneyard in September 2019, hundreds of current and vintage photos are being sorted, scanned and uploaded. The Realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base - Spectrum News 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 tire bead failed, allowing the casing to slip over the rim on one side and bind on edge of the wheel fairing on takeoff. A map of the base locations listed above can be viewed below. Comprehensive Base Plan, Department of the Air Force, Directorate of Engineering and Services DCS/PRE - Washington DC 1 April 1970 (revised 12 July 1978) . In 1960 it became part of the Strategic Air Command . 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. 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 is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in northeastern Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. These Air Force bases were remote. 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. 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. This happened a couple weeks before the IOC which is in the wing,ahistorical records on microfilm. Its poor high-altitude performance was a result of a critical decision to remove the turbo-supercharger. USVCP Staff Writers . The result was an airplane which had a much deeper and broader fuselage than did the P-1. 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. The cockpit canopy offered exceptional all-round visibility for the pilot. [THE FLINT JOURNAL VIA AP] It was eerie, David Losinski said. My son, was born on the base, has a malformed aorta and congenital nerve damage hearing loss. WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Aug 24, 2021. A total 9589 Airacobras were built before production finally ended on July 25, 1944. Wurtsmith Air Force base (Oscoda), Michigan; PFAS Water Contamination Map . Ruben C. Moffat flew a P-6 converted with a supercharged Conqueror engine on a record-breaking flight. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is said to have originally started with a fishing trip between two men. 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. The Losinskis are divers David has been diving since 1977; his son, Drew, since 2002 and both are former members of the St. Clair County Dive Team. Im using a combination of several source materials to tell the history of the area. 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. A total of 15,683 Thunderbolts were produced by wars end, more than any other U.S. fighter. They raised $600 to clear the land, which at the time was plenty for this job. Even studies on fish have been done, where it was found that PFOA is a liver carcinogen in rainbow trout. It is perhaps the best-known of all the between wars Army pursuits. 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. I was stationed there 1978 -81 lived on base they never told us about the water being contaminated . Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Oscoda Did Wurtsmith Air Force Base cause health woes? - Detroit Free Press The KC-135s would finish one mission and there would be another one waiting for them as soon as they were available.