China Lake Naval base, California. The sources Im using include The Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFRA); Photo collections from Wurtsmith Museum; Photo collections from Selfridge Museum, Selfridge AFB Historical files; and Aircraft Accident Reports. 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. All four of the the guys that were in that flight were from Tuskegee, Losinksi said. I am not a doctor or attorney, and cannot give medical advice or legal advice. During World War II, P-47 fighters were assigned to Oscoda. My daughter was born at the base hospital. [5] The 379th flew with a Triangle K tail flash to continue the, tradition from their World War II counterparts. All Rights Reserved. [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. The cockpit canopy offered exceptional all-round visibility for the pilot. Although in the past the Wurtsmith Air Force Base was extremely successful there are some prevalent issues with it today. It excelled in low-altitude ground support as a well-built and reliable aircraft capable of absorbing quite a bit of battle damage. The "Red Tail" P-51 Mustangs flown by the Tuskeegee Airmen []. WAFB began operations in 1923, under the name of Camp Skeel, and was officially named the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in 1953. This man later took the proposal to build a gunnery range to the people of Oscoda. Veteran Compensation Programs (www.veteranprograms.com) does not monitor, pre-screen or moderate posts, surveys, topics, comments, blogs or responses. In a fly off against the contemporary Boeing P-12B, the P-6E was faster, but the P-12B was more maneuverable. This is very dear to my heart and want to get involved however I can. Military History of the Upper Great Lakes, Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had many, different missions. [5] While the 379thBomb Wing was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base they were part of the ReadyAlert Nuclear Strike Force. 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. 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. Why women were told 'Don't get pregnant at George Air Force Base' 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. 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. Senator Gary Peters (MI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today called on the Air Force to expedite PFAS cleanup efforts at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda.In a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy John . [6] The 379th Bomb Wing wasdisbanded on June 30th 1993. 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 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. Air Force Base was essentially a self-contained airport with all of the necessities to support a full community on Base. Wurtsmith AirForce Base was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this. These bases wereresponsible for a housing a Ready Alert Nuclear Strike Force. 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. We didnt know really what we had.. to share information regarding health issues, and probable chemical exposure via base water sources. 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. Even studies on fish have been done, where it was found that PFOA is a liver carcinogen in rainbow trout. A new report compiled by a local group, Need Our Water (NOW) and the National Wildlife Federation . [5] While the 379th, Bomb Wing was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base they were part of the Ready, Alert Nuclear Strike Force. This cycle was from Wednesday to Wednesday. 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. Michigan Radio. Veterans 'likely' drank PFAS at Wurtsmith air base The airplane operated on a flight from Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport, MI to Oscoda-Wurtsmith AFB, MI (OSC). The museum's exhibits are extensive and incredibly high-quality -- including several aircraft that can be examined up . Lester Graham. Most individuals are not educated on what the base did before and after World War II, what is currently happening at this location, or how the historical space is impacting the land and local citizens today. As seenin the picture of the runways, there is a Christmas tree coming off of thebeginning of the runway with a building next to it. [2] The flight crashed at 2:20PM while returning from K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula. There are a lot of stories to tell. This is a short video about the small museum located at the decommissioned Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda Mi.http://www.rv-project.com [4] On August 1st 1958 the 4026th Strategic Wing was formed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Members of the Tuskegee Airmen, trained at Oscoda for several weeks and stayed on the base. Now, I have been diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure and congestive heart disease, I am currently on dialysis awaiting a kidney transplant. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of the, Strategic Air Commands bomber fleet. I like combining historical photographs with the stories behind them. These are simply the specific . There is a lot of open runways still today that can be rented out for a multitude of events. On April 1, 1960, Strategic Air Command assumed operational control of what was then Wurtsmith Air Force Base from Air Defense Command; on Jan. 9, 1961, the 379th Bombardment Wing, flying B-52H's and KC-135A's, became the host unit. The majority of married enlisted and officers preferred to live on base because of the free daycare for children. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of theStrategic Air Commands bomber fleet. He flew from Dayton, Ohio to Washington, D.C. at a speed of approximately 266 mph, at an altitude of 25,000 ft. Two years after release I started to experience very visible loss of musculature and strength. Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920's to June 3rd 1993. . /. The Wurtsmith Air Force Base, created in 1923, played a large role in WWII. There were 10 passengers and six crew members on board. Visiting Wurtsmith Air Museum, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan - YouTube August 8, 2018. The typical activities while not on ready alert varied greatlyfrom person to person. Most Air Corps/Force types used Oscoda at one time or another. DOD Base Family Housing - Organochlorine Pesticide Contamination [6] The 379th Bomb Wing was, Dave Norton resigned his commotion as a United States Air Force, , 1993 exactly 9 years after receiving his commission, Lt. form the United States Air Force Academy. As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. Just run the water until it clears up. While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a wholelot to do. [5] The 379th Bomb Wing immediately continued the 4026thStrategic Wing operations and training. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. 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. Once we brought that up and cleaned the tag, we knew it was the 221226 serial number.. 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. The letter never said what I was objecting to, but that I was refusing to for a lawful order. 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. As previously stated, there is a museum open to the public which has artifacts and information on the bases history. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, a brief history and life on post 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. Survived stage 3 oral cancer and per medical review, origin unknown since I have never smoked. [6], During the Gulf War B-52s from Wurtsmith Air Force Base were flownout of Prince Abdullah AB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. My daughter was born there on base in 1987 she has gastric issues, and was born w heart issues. The landing gear was changed from rubber-block shock absorbers inside the fuselage to oleo-and-spring units mounted in the outer forward strut. My son, was born on the base, has a malformed aorta and congenital nerve damage hearing loss. [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. These Air Force bases were remote. At least thirty French piloted P-47 aircraft accidents were reported at Oscoda AAF during the time period 1944-1945 and resulted in at least four pilots killed. Airport History. What us the compensation for this? These mission were into Iraq. Everyone from the mechanics keeping the planes flyable, to the cooks, preparing food for the airmen stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, to the, commanders who ensured that everything from the flight schedules being correct. This year, we went out diving, and we could see these points of interest from the surface, Losinski said. So now what? These planes arrived at dawn on the first day of the Gulf War. They want the site to remain a memorial divers can visit. Poison Spring: The Secret History of Pollution and the EPA. empty, 3310 lb gross. There were frequently extremely large and loud airplanes taxiing, taking off, and landing in the base. [1] Mr. Norton also landed. WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. High blood serum levels of PFOA are associated with infertility, decreased semen quality, and a higher risk of thyroid disease. Wurtsmith AFB and its Contamination - Military History of the Upper Air Force - DOD Base Family Housing Residents of the Oscoda area raised $600 to clear 40 acres of land next to the lake as a spot for a training camp and target range. [1] As soon as the wheels touched down the clock would be reset and they could be sent out on another assignment. The cockpit was fairly easy to enter and exit, but the doors had a tendency to fly open in midair at high speed if improperly secured. U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs My first daughter was born there at their hospital.my ex husband now, is very sick. Marie and the straights of Mackinac. [1] This tight knit community was not confined to just the Air Force Base, but extended into the community as well. Traci Kroushour, an Oscoda resident until the age of 12, had her uterus removed at the age of 28 and can never have children. Now I see this years later. Military challenging states on $2 billion chemical liability - Unwell Water The gunnery range was tasked with training pilots fromSelfridge air base in the challenging maneuvers required to land a DeHavillandbiplane on the frozen lake Van Etten for the young Army Air Corps. Leaking chemical storage tanks and waste disposal operations contaminated soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. I will try and highlight some of the most interesting aircraft and their stories!. At this time, the camp was renamed and the airfield was under III Fighter Command jurisdiction. 1946. As seen, in the picture of the runways, there is a Christmas tree coming off of the, beginning of the runway with a building next to it. 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. The P-6 was generally similar to the P-1 in construction and appearance. My symptoms looking back were insidious with weakness and muscle fasciculations. Moodys body was not recovered until it washed ashore in Port Huron on June 4, 1944 two days before D-Day and the invasion of Normandy. [1] Mr. Norton, arrived fresh from navigation school as a 2nd Lieutenant at Wurtsmith Air Force, Base in the fall of 1985. I served at Wursmith AFB from 1982 to 1989, living in base housing the entire time and drinking the water. However, the drawdown was fairly rapid after that and they were quickly replaced by P-38s, P-47s and P-51s. Many of drums ruptured. [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. [6] 379th Bomb Wing Homestead AFB B-47 Wurtsmith AFB B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/wings/0379bw.htm. It is one of the most famous bases located in our state. Military's Filthy 50 sites contaminated with 'forever chemicals' haven 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. The armament of the P-1 was a pair of 0.30 cal machine guns mounted in the upper fuselage decking inside the V-cylinder blocks and synchronized to fire through the propeller arc. I saw a big splash, and then the plane went out of sight.. Drinking Water At Wurtsmith AFB Contaminted. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Alchetron, the free social encyclopedia After all of that great history, the Wurtsmith Air Force Base is still standing as a place that is visited by a plethora of people. 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. The brown tint is (mostly) caused by scale build up in the pipes being knocked loose. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. The married officers lived in a standalone house with their family. 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. These planes arrived at dawn on the first day of the Gulf War. The documentary by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sara Ganim focuses on PFAS contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan. Wurtsmith Air Museum (Oscoda) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go At just after 10 pm on the 30 th October, on-duty personnel at Wurtsmith Air Force Base would report seeing a strange object hovering over the . Bert E. Skeel was a WWI pilot who died in an air race in Ohio. Ruben C. Moffat flew a P-6 converted with a supercharged Conqueror engine on a record-breaking flight. Prior to our IOC inspection for the SRAM we were ordered to clean out igloos full of barrels 5gal to 55gal drums,1,000s of gallons which had been ordered by mistake to start the system. [1] This would result in a large amount of paperwork and extra expenses for the Air Force. [1], While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a whole, lot to do. "It was a city within a city. 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. Within a few days, a mere 28 Airmen established housing for over 400 personnel, replete with . There are many historical planes you can visit as well as other interesting pieces of history that the public may view. In March of 1943, the Third Air Force reactivated the field for training of black aviators. [1] This meant that there was always at least three, B-52s armed with nuclear bombs, ready to take off at a moments notice. [1], As new technologies and mission goals evolved with time the need for the Strategic Air Commands need for the northern tier became obsolete. The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. This judgement flies in the face provided by the federal ATSDR and the National Institute of Health. Lt. Ennis also thought it would be a great place for young Army Air corps to test aircraft (WAFB.net). Theyve seen lots of things underwater, but the story of the P-39 fighter lost just off the Port Huron beachfront touched them. Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had manydifferent missions. http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/wurtsmith_pfas_pfc_april_45_me.html. I remember getting a letter of counseling when I wanted to object as a warning what could happen. U.S. still rejects and "nexus" to the toxic chemicals on the base. 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. (Superstorm) Sandy came along (in October) and moved things around, David Losinski said. The Losinskis havent abandoned their quest to bring this long-forgotten chapter in the history of World War II to light. [1] On the first Wednesday the, fresh flight crew would relive the current flight crew in the bunkers. 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 . It was eerie, David Losinski said. The 5,223-acre Wurtsmith Air Force Base (Wurtsmith AFB) is located on the northeastern part of Michigan's lower peninsula. Because of the economic impact of Wurtsmith Air Force Base the community was generally supportive of the airmen, and the base itself. [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. [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. Wurtsmith Air Force base (Oscoda), Michigan; PFAS Water Contamination Map . 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. Some areas of the site are still under investigation. The Losinskis said they want to preserve the site for people to dive on.
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