wurtsmith air force base housing wurtsmith air force base housing

Aircraft rolled 630 feet before nosing over. Engine not damaged. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. Here is a list of military bases that are known to have had their drinking water contaminated with PFAS chemicals: Alameda Naval base, California. 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. 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. [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. U.S. One of the unfortunate risks in flying is a crash. TCE in another well on Jet Street near the present day Wurtsmith AFB museum was 1,739-ppb. 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. [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. 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. She gave Kelly the rundown of the base. Me and Dan drive around base and check out the bunkers that held nuclear weapons during the cold war The brown tint is (mostly) caused by scale build up in the pipes being knocked loose. The Au Sable River is an attraction for families all around Michigan. Now that the contamination has reached the Au Sable river, it could potentially carry this contamination into Lake Huron. 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 1st Combat Evaluation Group (initially "1CEG", later "1CEVG") was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit. 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. This is an evolving issue with many moving parts. 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. 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. With that being said, these chemicals are going to be reaching a lot more people than just the Oscoda residents. Airport History. Many tests have been done to see the extent to which the contamination is harming the citizens residing in the area. In 1960 it became part of the Strategic Air Command . Lt. Ennis also thought it would be a great place for young Army Air corps to test aircraft (WAFB.net). In 1932, Capt. Airplane nosed over when landing gear tire casing failed, locking the right wheel. [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. In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. For more information regarding services offered by the Lackland Air Force Base Education Center, call 210-671-2895 or DSN 473-2895. . Investigation determined a defective tire caused the accident. 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. This, flight crew would spend one week in the bunker and be confined to an undisclosed. I still stay in touch with Gary but do not know if he has an e-mail account. All Rights Reserved. She also has many other irregular health problems including bone death, fibromyalgia, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal problems, and underdeveloped reproductive organs. Typical occurrences on Wurtsmith Air Force Base included planes flying in and out on missions. The B-52 is being serviced under the Strategic Air Command Recovery Oriented Aircraft Maintenance (ROAM) system. Its poor high-altitude performance was a result of a critical decision to remove the turbo-supercharger. It was also possible for these missions to originate in the United States. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The ROAM system ensures that aircraft are serviced . [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. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. View All Homes - Homes for Rent [5] Wurtsmith AFB, Mich SAC 379th Bomb Wing B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Wurtsmith_AFB.htm. WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. [1] Mr. Norton, arrived fresh from navigation school as a 2nd Lieutenant at Wurtsmith Air Force, Base in the fall of 1985. This is very dear to my heart and want to get involved however I can. 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. He flew from Dayton, Ohio to Washington, D.C. at a speed of approximately 266 mph, at an altitude of 25,000 ft. On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, we recognize the many men and women who served and fought during the difficult conflict, giving them the appreciation they deserve. 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. 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. [2] Another unfortunate occurrence that Happened more than it should have were Court-Martials. 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. 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. To gain a measure of the extremely high levels of contaminated drinking water, according to the ATSDR, TCE levels in a well at the corner of Arrow Street and N. Skeel Avenue were as high as 5,173 parts-per-billion (ppb) during 1977, 1978, & 1979 tests, which is more than 1,000 times the EPA's current limit of 5-ppb for TCE in drinking water. [4] Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service. Wurtsmith AFB Water Health Issues via water, Organochlorine Pesticides Levels at George AFB Family Housing. This is heinous, and my heart goes out to so many. Located in Iosco County, Michigan, Wurtsmith Air Force Base operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. Service ceiling 27,200 feet, and range was 260 miles. 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. . We came across the gauge cluster, which had the radio call tag, David Losinski said. 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. There is no amount of PFOA that is officially recognized as harmful. However, many studies have shown otherwise. the first KC-135 in operation Southern Watch. A Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker plane, serial 60-0317, was damaged beyond repair in a landing accident at Oscoda-Wurtsmith AFB, MI (OSC), United States of America. 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. The popular legend, supported by interviews and other historical documents, is that Wurtsmith was established as the direct result of a fishing trip by Lt. Ennis Whitehead (later Lt. Gen. Whitehead, commander of the Fifth and Far Eastern Air Forces during and after World War . These are simply the specific . Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in northeastern Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. "It was a city within a city. These organizations primarily fall into seven types of activities: aviation, manufacturing, technology, medical, housing, education, community services and technology. City Picto Map, Clark Air Base / Angeles City. [1] On the first Wednesday the, fresh flight crew would relive the current flight crew in the bunkers. How is it that these large and respected scientific organizations can continue to be ignored in the face of statistically overwhelming data and human impacts. [ 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 . Contaminated water has been shown to be the main way that humans get exposed to this chemical, which is exactly whats going on in Oscoda. By comparing the concentrations of known fluorosurfactants with the total organofluorine, less than 10% of the fluorosurfactants were identified in half of the samples. Because of this KC-135 squadrons would routinely fly 175 day assignments and return to their home base. My ex wife has thyroid disease and auto immune disease. [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], The northern tier Strategic Air Command Ready Alert Strike Force bases were considered less than desirable duty stations for one main reason. [3], [1] Dave Norton, Former United States Air Force Captain, interviewed on 23 OCT 2017, [2] Ap. [1] This includes on base housing, a daycare center for children, a doctor's office, a . While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a wholelot to do. Even after the base closed in 1993, the base maintained a fire staff for many years. These contaminants are harmful to the environment. Wurtsmith Air Force base (Oscoda), Michigan; PFAS Water Contamination Map . Off Base Housing. 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. PFOA exposure is also shown to be associated with increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children between ages 12-15. This cycle was from Wednesday to Wednesday. The Arrow Street purge system, installed in 1982 to remove contaminants from the Building 43 plume, has lowered concentrations o It had a commissary, a gas station, a hospital, housing, a bowling alley," said veteran Michael Grogan. The base is located in Oscoda, Iosco County, Michigan. [1]These KC-135s were necessary because the B-52 could not take off with both afull load of ordnance and a full tank of gas. Lora Cole, 1/8/20 I am the daughter to a vet that was in this I was a baby at the time. Aircraft was at Camp Skeel, Oscoda Michigan for Aerial Gunnery training. I kept up with all this for a while then gave up. A bomber squadron for example would be sent out to destroy a target and return to its home base within a week. They were stationed at the air base from 1986 to 1993. This is extremely important because harsh chemicals can negatively impact the future of children and infants as well as the elderly. 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. 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. One of these men were named Lt. Ennis Whitehead. I saw a big splash, and then the plane went out of sight.. They resumed the investigation last spring. 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. The base is influential in Michigan, as well as the United States military history. I have always scheduled an apt with my dr to talk about the possibility of how this may have affected me. 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. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport became a public airport in 1993. [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. Survived stage 3 oral cancer and per medical review, origin unknown since I have never smoked. During those efforts, they noted several areas they wanted to investigate, including one about four miles north of the Blue Water Bridge. This happened a couple weeks before the IOC which is in the wing,ahistorical records on microfilm. We have a lot of sick civilians and = veterans from contaminated drinking water. At the start of 1985, Wurtsmith maintained an $80 million annual payroll with 3,600 military and civilian personnel. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich., served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. [6], During the Gulf War B-52s from Wurtsmith Air Force Base were flownout of Prince Abdullah AB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He brought this idea to the attention of his squadron commander Major Carl Spaatz. This unfortunately happened on October 11th, 1988 when KC-135 crashed with 6 crew members and 10 passengers on board. It is one of the most famous bases located in our state. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. The Airacobra reached its peak usage in the USAAF in early 1944, with over 2100 in service. What us the compensation for this? [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. 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. Continued study of ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, defined the movement and distribution of volatile organic compounds in the glacial sand and gravel aquifer at known sites of contamination, and has defined new plumes at two other sites. He said the wreckage from the plane is scattered across the lake bottom. There are many historical planes you can visit as well as other interesting pieces of history that the public may view. [1] As tensions increased around the world and the likelihood of an actual mission being flown while on ready alert increased, the week, The typical activities while not on ready alert varied greatly, from person to person. Cindi developed hypertension and Lawrence diagnosed with lung disease. They want the site to remain a memorial divers can visit. After being relieved, the flight crew had until the following Monday morning, off. U.S. Air Force should abide by state of Michigan's PFAS Standards, state must hold Air Force accountable. 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. Comprehensive Base Plan, Department of the Air Force, Directorate of Engineering and Services DCS/PRE - Washington DC 1 April 1970 (revised 12 July 1978) . I was stationed there from 11/84-1989. 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 . [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. The main mission of Oscoda Army Air Field, at the time, was to defend Sault Ste. 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. [1] This meant that there was always at least three, B-52s armed with nuclear bombs, ready to take off at a moments notice. The cockpit canopy offered exceptional all-round visibility for the pilot. 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). From: Members of the ground crew move a maintenance cart into position next to a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft parked on the flight line. It is one of the most famous bases located in our state. http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/wurtsmith_pfas_pfc_april_45_me.html. [1] As tensions increased around the world and the likelihood of an actual mission being flown while on ready alert increased, the weekbecame more stressful. My daughter was born at the base hospital. 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. This lead to Wurtsmith transferring to Air Combat Command control, and then on June 30th 1993, Wurtsmith Air Force Base closed. It has found from testing this area that some places to have over 1000 parts-per-trillion for PFOS and PFOA. 70-77 lived on base housing with family, flight line assistant supervisor. 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 . There are many good photos of P-39s at Selfridge Field (Posted below), but none of P-39s at Oscoda. [6] 379th Bomb Wing Homestead AFB B-47 Wurtsmith AFB B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/wings/0379bw.htm. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Traci Kroushour, an Oscoda resident until the age of 12, had her uterus removed at the age of 28 and can never have children. On January 18, 1994 it was listed as a Superfund due to extensive groundwater contamination with heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, including trichloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane . The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. There were frequently extremely large and loud airplanes taxiing, taking off, and landing in the base. The P-47s radial engine proved remarkably resistant to battle damage and, with its heavy armament and well-armored cockpit, the Thunderbolt established a reputation as one of the most effective fighter-bombers of the war. As previously stated, there is a museum open to the public which has artifacts and information on the bases history. So now what? WAFB began operations in 1923, under the name of Camp Skeel, and was officially named the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in 1953. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. [1] This was further broken down by marital status. 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. 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. 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. He saw the surrounding land and figured it would make a great place for a gunnery range. [1] Mr. Norton also landedthe first KC-135 in operation Southern Watch. These planes arrived at dawn on the first day of the Gulf War. 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 . Mrs. Cecil V. Fowler saw the crash, according to the Times Herald article. The base was put into a standby status to be there just in case something happened in those areas. This article is from 2018.. This judgement flies in the face provided by the federal ATSDR and the National Institute of Health. 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. We thought that was kind of unbelievable.. Stationed there for 84-88 and am suffering with a motor neuron disease process. We didnt know really what we had.. They raised $600 to clear the land, which at the time was plenty for this job. During World War II, P-47 fighters were assigned to Oscoda. "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. But these days, the county is becoming a haven for retired people such as the Kuhlmans . The good speed of the P-6E was counterbalanced by some unsatisfacory handling characteristics which made it sluggish in response to controls. Wurtsmith earned recognition during the war as the leader of the group of pilots using P-40 and P-38 fighter . 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. Theseplanes would regularly fly missions from Wurtsmith Air Force Base during thecold war. The plane was equipped with the cannon and four .50-caliber machine guns two mounted on the wings, two more just behind the propeller and timed to fire through the spinning blades. Most Air Corps/Force types used Oscoda at one time or another. [2] The flight crashed at 2:20PM while returning from K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula. Bert E. Skeel was a WWI pilot who died in an air race in Ohio. I served at Wursmith AFB from 1982 to 1989, living in base housing the entire time and drinking the water. The base is influential in Michigan, as well as the United States military history. Now I see this years later. 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. The Air Force says, Any aircraft before 1961, weve abandoned it.. They also were known as the Red Tails because they painted the tails of their aircraft red. 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. This weapon system used some hazardous and a lot of special chemicals to support it. Eielson Air Force base, Alaska. [1] On May 9th 1961 the first B-52 landed in Wurtsmith Air Force Basesignifying the re-designation to a Strategic Air Command Base. Timothy Marcum, 1/15/2071-73 camp lejeune nc bad water va in redding pretends they know nothing about having problems. The majority of married enlisted and officers preferred to live on base because of the free daycare for children. 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. 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. High blood serum levels of PFOA are associated with infertility, decreased semen quality, and a higher risk of thyroid disease. There are many different ways that PFOA and PFOS can affect the human body. 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. Smoke started coming from the tail of the second plane, and I could see it was in trouble. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is said to have originally started with a fishing trip between two men. One of these places included directly underneath the Oscoda high school. Drinking Water At Wurtsmith AFB Contaminted. 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. still rejects and "nexus" to the toxic chemicals on the base. It was a feeble effort, for the plane seemed to lift for only a few feet and then it crashed, nose first, into the water. 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. Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had manydifferent missions. My symptoms looking back were insidious with weakness and muscle fasciculations. This would cause some big problems for the fish and other life that lives beneath the surface. Wurtsmith AirForce Base was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this.