There is an ongoing project to decontaminate the area. I am not a doctor or attorney, and cannot give medical advice or legal advice. 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. The presumptive disabilities from contaminated water at Wurtsmith AFB would lead to automatic compensation to potentially thousands of veterans. WAFB closed in 1993 and is gradually being turned over to the Oscoda Airport Authority for reuse as an industrial park and airfield (EPA 2012). The Air Force says, Any aircraft before 1961, weve abandoned it.. [1], As new technologies and mission goals evolved with time the need for the Strategic Air Commands need for the northern tier became obsolete. Now that the contamination has reached the Au Sable river, it could potentially carry this contamination into Lake Huron. The runways were aligned NE/SW, E/W, and NW/SE. 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. [6] 379th Bomb Wing Homestead AFB B-47 Wurtsmith AFB B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/wings/0379bw.htm. [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. Airport History. History. These high levels of PFOA elevate the risks of kidney cancer, mesothelioma, and diabetes. It has recently been discovered that that the base has been leaking chemicals into the surrounding waterways. 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. A total of 15,683 Thunderbolts were produced by wars end, more than any other U.S. fighter. This air field was in dire need of a gunnery range because they being forced out of their gunnery range on Lake St. Clair. It was eerie, David Losinski said. The M&FRC is located at 1550 Wurtsmith St . [1] Mr. Nortonarrived fresh from navigation school as a 2nd Lieutenant at Wurtsmith Air ForceBase in the fall of 1985. Once we brought that up and cleaned the tag, we knew it was the 221226 serial number.. The gunnery range was tasked with training pilots from, Selfridge air base in the challenging maneuvers required to land a DeHavilland, biplane on the frozen lake Van Etten for the young Army Air Corps. What's next? 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. U.S. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. 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. 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. One of these men were named Lt. Ennis Whitehead. 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. 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. DISCLAIMER: Information displayed on U.S. It was renamed Camp Skeel in 1924, for the World War I Pilot Captain Burt E. Skeel, and was used as an aerial gunnery range and for winter maneuvers 1924 through 1944 by the 1st Pursuit . 2 talking about this. 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 . If you are interested in any particular aircraft of time period please let me know. The cockpit canopy offered exceptional all-round visibility for the pilot. In 1953 it was renamed Wurtsmith Air Force Base after Michigan native, Major General Paul Wurtsmith. 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. Veteran Compensation Programs. It had a commissary, a gas station, a hospital, housing, a bowling alley," said veteran Michael Grogan. [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. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. This is extremely important because harsh chemicals can negatively impact the future of children and infants as well as the elderly. Located in Iosco County, Michigan, Wurtsmith Air Force Base operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. Ellsworth Air Force base, South Dakota. The married officers lived in a standalone house with their family. 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. [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. They included chemicals like MEK, PD 680, TRI CHLOROFLOIANS, ACIDS, ALODIANS, ALL KINDS OF PAINTS, SPECIAL MISSILE SKIN REPAIR KITS. The pilot apparently noticed it and tried to lift his ship. Click on a marker for base information. No injuries to the pilot. A sand and gravel aquifer of glacial origin underlies Wurtsmith Air Force Base in northeastern lower Michigan. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. 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. A ground-water divide cuts diagonally across the Base from northwest to . Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920's to June 3rd 1993. . Most individuals are not educated on what the base did before and after World War II, what is currently happening at this . Members of the Tuskegee Airmen, trained at Oscoda for several weeks and stayed on the base. The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (WAFB), located in Oscoda, Iosco County, MI operated from 1924 to 1993. [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Wurtsmith Air Force Base. A Brief History of Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, www.wurtsmithairmuseum.org/Wurtsmith_AFB/wurtsmith_afb.html. USVCP Staff Writers . This weapon system used some hazardous and a lot of special chemicals to support it. In addition across the base boundary dirt road was the EOD range where every friday morning we burned and destroyed old munitions and other stuff they needed disposed of. A series of stringers were added to the fuselage sides to round out the cross section. At one point, they had to use these toxic foam chemicals to put out a fire at the Oscoda High School in 1995. He flew from Dayton, Ohio to Washington, D.C. at a speed of approximately 266 mph, at an altitude of 25,000 ft. The Air Force knew about the contamination and spent millions since 1977 to try to cover up the problem by adding phosphates to mask the odor of the chemical in the water. With that being said, these chemicals are going to be reaching a lot more people than just the Oscoda residents. It was criticized for its low service ceiling, its slow rate of climb, and its generally poor high-altitude performance. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. Anyone know the status on this? As long as these assignments were under 180 days they were considered Temporary Duty Assignments. I have had sever kidney problems since 1983 that carried on into my mid teens. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of theStrategic Air Commands bomber fleet. It remained named Camp Skeel until 1942 when it was renamed Oscoda Army Air Field (WAFB.net). 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. 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. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of the, Strategic Air Commands bomber fleet. ircraft operated from Oscoda Army Airfield. [5] Wurtsmith AFB, Mich SAC 379th Bomb Wing B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Wurtsmith_AFB.htm. WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. 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. The Arrow Street purge system, installed in 1982 to remove contaminants from the Building 43 plume, has lowered concentrations o Because of this KC-135 squadrons would routinely fly 175 day assignments and return to their home base. In 1977 the 379th Bomb Wing upgraded the B-52H fleet to B-52Gaircraft. These planes arrived at dawn on the first day of the Gulf War. The 5,221-acre site is bounded by Van Etten Lake to the north and east . 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. The Realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base. [2] The flight crashed at 2:20PM while returning from K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula. A map of the base locations listed above can be viewed below. 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. One example of this is autocross racing. She has all kinds of problems, my ex died of cancer and I have all kinds of problems. Ruben C. Moffat flew a P-6 converted with a supercharged Conqueror engine on a record-breaking flight. Home Buyers Guide; Find a Real Estate Agent; Price: $299,000. These organizations primarily fall into seven types of activities: aviation, manufacturing, technology, medical, housing, education, community services and technology. [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. Veteran Compensation Programs (USVCP) (www.veteranprograms.com), and any of their associated websites is for general informational. Neither Michigan nor any U.S. officials have conducted a comprehensive study on the contaminants and pollutants under the base. The Wurtsmith Air Museum is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to preserving the history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base and aviation in Northeastern Michigan. 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. Military History of the Upper Great Lakes, Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had many, different missions. The history of Oscoda Military Aviation is the same as the History of the Air Force. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. This article is from 2018.. The 4026th was a SAC Major Command controlled (MAJCON) wing that had been organized on 1 August 1958. The majority of married enlisted and officers preferred to live on base because of the free daycare for children. The story stated Moody and three other pilots were taking gunnery practice about three miles north of Port Huron. [4] In the later, years of World War II Wurtsmith Air Force Base was used as a fighter-interceptor training base and housed the 332d fighter group, which was part of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. P-6E, serial number 32-156, 17th Pursuit Squadron from Selfridge Field Michigan. "Keeping Wurtsmith AFB and Aviation History of NE MI Alive" Opens on Armed Forces Day in May, hosts a Welcome Home. 70-77 lived on base housing with family, flight line assistant supervisor. We make no endorsements or recommendations of any VSO, attorney, law firm, claims specialists or organization working with veterans on their service-connected claim(s). 1946. 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. 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. [4] Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service. [2] The flight crashed at 2:20PM while returning from K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula. In their letter, the members expressed their concerns that the Air Force's proposed remediation plan . Typical occurrences on Wurtsmith Air Force Base included planes flying in and out on missions. Deliveries of the first P-6s were late, the first example not appearing until October 1929. The 379th Bomb Wing moved to Wurtsmith Air Force Base in June of19661. 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. The Wurtsmith Air Force Base, created in 1923, played a large role in WWII. Wurtsmith Air Force base (Oscoda), Michigan; PFAS Water Contamination Map . Mrs. Cecil V. Fowler saw the crash, according to the Times Herald article. Following cleanup, operation and maintenance activities are ongoing. [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. 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. During the Pacific conflicts personnel and the KC-135Stratotankers were deployed to forward bases in the Pacific to support landoperations. [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at Wurtsmith, Air Force Base. [1] Mr. Norton also landed. In 1979, the state of Michigan sued the Air Force for the contamination. 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. Published August 24, 2021 at 4:15 PM EDT. 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). This resulted in KC-135 squadrons spending a greater amount of time on temporary duty assignments than other squadrons from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. [1] On the first Wednesday thefresh flight crew would relive the current flight crew in the bunkers. After a trip to the Boneyard in September 2019, hundreds of current and vintage photos are being sorted, scanned and uploaded. One of the unfortunate risks in flying is a crash. Although in the past the Wurtsmith Air Force Base was extremely successful there are some prevalent issues with it today. The base is located in Oscoda, Iosco County, Michigan. [1], While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a whole, lot to do. Aircraft rolled 630 feet before nosing over. 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. My symptoms looking back were insidious with weakness and muscle fasciculations. My daughter was born at the base hospital. Before we move on to that, however, it is very much worth examining a very similar incident that occurred over Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan on 30 th October. 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. Smoke started coming from the tail of the second plane, and I could see it was in trouble. [5] The B-52s did not get to travel nearly as much as the KC-135s. 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. "It was a city within a city. Welcome to The WAFB Historical Site dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Wurtsmith Air Force Base and the units assigned there. The Losinskis said they want to preserve the site for people to dive on. VA counselor "don't waste your time". Wurtsmith AFB Water Health Issues via water, Organochlorine Pesticides Levels at George AFB Family Housing. While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a wholelot to do. If a banker had not taken Lt. Whitehead on a fishing trip there would not have been an Air Force Base in Oscoda Michigan. Hill Housing area-- Wurtsmith Elementary School, Grissom Elementary School, Wagner Middle School, . 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. Stay tuned for further developments. Over the course of Mr. Nortons career as both a KC-135 Navigatorand a DC-10 Pilot, Mr. Norton served as a flight commander, served numerousdeployments during the Gulf War escorting fighter squadrons from the UnitedStates into theater, supporting fighter squadrons and bomber squadrons intheater, served multiple temporary duty assignments to England, Spain, SaudiArabia, Alaska, and other Air Force Bases around the globe. 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 . The base was put into a standby status to be there just in case something happened in those areas. [4] Its mission was to, maintain half of the fleet on a 15 minute alert, meaning the plane could be in, the air in 15 minutes, to reduce vulnerability to a Soviet preemptive missile, strike. We offer visitors three hangars full of military (all branches) and aviation history, static aircraft displays, artifacts, equipment and lots of WAFB memorabilia. 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 protected], 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. My family lived on this base in 1983 to 1987, are we at risk? We knew we had some kind of plane.. [5] While the 379thBomb Wing was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base they were part of the ReadyAlert Nuclear Strike Force. Now, I have been diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure and congestive heart disease, I am currently on dialysis awaiting a kidney transplant. Maximum speed was 178 mph at sea level, 171 mph at 10,000 feet. 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. We came across the gauge cluster, which had the radio call tag, David Losinski said. The state says, We dont have jurisdiction over that; its the Air Force, Losinski said. The airplane operated on a flight from Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport, MI to Oscoda-Wurtsmith AFB, MI (OSC). http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/wurtsmith_pfas_pfc_april_45_me.html. [4] On August 1st 1958 the 4026th Strategic Wing was formed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. On May 9, 1961, the base took delivery of its first new Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress, The State of Michigan. 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. Service ceiling 27,200 feet, and range was 260 miles. 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. At the time, it was considered a vital Air Defense Command base and was equipped and manned with interceptor aircraft capable of flying over the North Pole into the Soviet Union. They raised $600 to clear the land, which at the time was plenty for this job. U.S. 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. At the time, George was a hub of F-4 Phantom fighter jets and OV-10 Bronco reconnaissance planes. [1] This would result in a large amount of paperwork and extra expenses for the Air Force. The Air Force knew that due to the method used to apply the pesticide, the building design flaw, that a completed exposure pathway (CEP) existed at a large percentage of its tenantable/habitual . 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. There are many different ways that PFOA and PFOS can affect the human body. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Just run the water until it clears up. 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. I like combining historical photographs with the stories behind them. It excelled in low-altitude ground support as a well-built and reliable aircraft capable of absorbing quite a bit of battle damage. On June 30, , 1993 the 379th Bomb Wing was disbanded and Wurtsmith Air Force Base was closed. Lee N. 2023 Aspyre Media Group, LLC. 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. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. He brought this idea to the attention of his squadron commander Major Carl Spaatz. Fast forward to 1992, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the US Air Force inactivated Strategic Air Command. These bases wereresponsible for a housing a Ready Alert Nuclear Strike Force. Because of the economic impact of Wurtsmith Air Force Base the community was generally supportive of the airmen, and the base itself. However, the P-6 differed from the P-1 in having its fuselage rounded out to match the fatter engine cowling required by the Conqueror engine. Traci Kroushour, an Oscoda resident until the age of 12, had her uterus removed at the age of 28 and can never have children. [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. The 5,223-acre Wurtsmith Air Force Base (Wurtsmith AFB) is located on the northeastern part of Michigans lower peninsula. What us the compensation for this? History Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. [6] The 379th Bomb Wing wasdisbanded on June 30th 1993. One of these places included directly underneath the Oscoda high school. This man later took the proposal to build a gunnery range to the people of Oscoda. For the civil use of this facility and airport information, see Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in northeastern Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. [5] The 379th flew with a Triangle K tail flash to continue the, tradition from their World War II counterparts. [1] This was followed by one and a half weeks of normal day to day activitiesuntil the flight crew relieved crew on ready alert in the bunkers.[1]. [1] Wurtsmith Air Force Base was 2nd Lt. Nortons first, permanent duty station in the United States Air Force. Thanks for sending to you and Pat. I have also read about the PFAS via fire retardant foam. 1942 -- Camp Skeel is renamed Oscoda Army Air Field and becomes a P-47 fighter base. [1], The northern tier Strategic Air Command Ready Alert Strike Force bases were considered less than desirable duty stations for one main reason. I do hope there is information on Wurtsmith AFB soon. 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. "The Department of Defense is evaluating [cleanup standards], and we take our lead from what the Department of Defense says," said Stephen TerMaath, who leads the Air Force division in charge of Wurtsmith cleanup. 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. 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. Its poor high-altitude performance was a result of a critical decision to remove the turbo-supercharger.
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