All four of the the guys that were in that flight were from Tuskegee, Losinksi said. Thanks for sending to you and Pat. This, flight crew would spend one week in the bunker and be confined to an undisclosed. The result was an airplane which had a much deeper and broader fuselage than did the P-1. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. [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 was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this. I have had sever kidney problems since 1983 that carried on into my mid teens. I served at Wurtsmith from 1974-1977 my whole family has suffered from various ongoing ailments. [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. There were also problems with the complex nose-mounted reduction gear, which caused reliability problems and resulted in fairly low serviceability rates as compared with other fighters. 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. I lived in base housing, I want to say 8607H Ohio from 82-84. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. [1] As soon as the wheels touched down the clock would be reset and they could be sent out on another assignment. [5] The 379th Bomb Wing immediately continued the 4026thStrategic Wing operations and training. This year, we went out diving, and we could see these points of interest from the surface, Losinski said. I do hope there is information on Wurtsmith AFB soon. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is said to have originally started with a fishing trip between two men. History. As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. We knew we had some kind of plane.. They are surely exposed to this chemical nearly every day, whether it be playing outside on the playground or from being exposed to the chemicals via drinking the water. 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. The brown tint is (mostly) caused by scale build up in the pipes being knocked loose. There is no amount of PFOA that is officially recognized as harmful. However, many studies have shown otherwise. [3], [1] Dave Norton, Former United States Air Force Captain, interviewed on 23 OCT 2017, [2] Ap. It is one of the most famous bases located in our state. This air field was in dire need of a gunnery range because they being forced out of their gunnery range on Lake St. Clair. [5] Assuming the equipment, personnel and aircraft of the 4026th Strategicwing as it was disbanded. Weights were 2450 lb. [1] Wurtsmith Air Force Base was 2nd Lt. Nortons firstpermanent duty station in the United States Air Force.[1]. Although in the past the Wurtsmith Air Force Base was extremely successful there are some prevalent issues with it today. 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). U.S. [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. This is very dear to my heart and want to get involved however I can. A total 9589 Airacobras were built before production finally ended on July 25, 1944. The Strategic Air Command activated a wing there on August 1, 1958. This is an evolving issue with many moving parts. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. [5] The 379th flew with a Triangle K tail flash to continue the, tradition from their World War II counterparts. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. Cindi developed hypertension and Lawrence diagnosed with lung disease. The average person has around 3 or 4 parts per billion of these chemicals present in their blood. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in northeastern Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. [5] Assuming the equipment, personnel and aircraft of the 4026th Strategic, wing as it was disbanded. Im using a combination of several source materials to tell the history of the area. 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). 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. Airplane nosed over when landing gear tire casing failed, locking the right wheel. [1], The ready alert flight crews were rotated on a three week cycle. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, a brief history and life on post [5] Wurtsmith AFB, Mich SAC 379th Bomb Wing B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Wurtsmith_AFB.htm. 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). [5] The B-52s did not get to travel nearly as much as the KC-135s. There were frequently extremely large and loud airplanes taxiing, taking off, and landing in the base. The museum's exhibits are extensive and incredibly high-quality -- including several aircraft that can be examined up . [5] While the 379th, Bomb Wing was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base they were part of the Ready, Alert Nuclear Strike Force. This judgement flies in the face provided by the federal ATSDR and the National Institute of Health. http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/06/wurtsmith_veterans_health.html, http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/11/13/deq-we-dont-yet-know-full-extent-wurtsmith-air-base-contamination/93242484/, https://www.publicintegrity.org/2017/08/18/21105/military-bases-contamination-will-affect-water-generations, http://www.wurtsmithairmuseum.org/Wurtsmith_AFB/wurtsmith_afb.html, Military History of the Upper Great Lakes. During the Gulf War these planes were run practically 24/7, landing only to swap flight crews to meet the flight crew rest requirements. P-6E, serial number 32-156, 17th Pursuit Squadron from Selfridge Field Michigan. Is this a common thing at other Air Force bases? : r/AirForce Aug 24, 2021. High blood serum levels of PFOA are associated with infertility, decreased semen quality, and a higher risk of thyroid disease. All kind of special chemicals that Boeing told the USAF we had to have. Contaminated water still plagues lakeside community in Michigan On the other hand, the rear-mounted engine offered increased maneuverability since the weight of the plane would be near its center of gravity. The main mission of Oscoda Army Air Field, at the time, was to defend Sault Ste. [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. They included chemicals like MEK, PD 680, TRI CHLOROFLOIANS, ACIDS, ALODIANS, ALL KINDS OF PAINTS, SPECIAL MISSILE SKIN REPAIR KITS. This unfortunately happened on October 11th, 1988 when KC-135 crashed with 6 crew members and 10 passengers on board. Now I see this years later. No injuries to the pilot. Anyone know the status on this? The base came to be because of chance. The 379th Bomb Wing moved to Wurtsmith Air Force Base in June of19661. They resumed the investigation last spring. This lead to Wurtsmith transferring to Air Combat Command control, and then on June 30th 1993, Wurtsmith Air Force Base closed. 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. "It was a city within a city. 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. 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. The base is influential in Michigan, as well as the United States military history. [4] On August 1st 1958 the 4026th Strategic Wing was formed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. The site of Wurtsmith Air Force Base is located 2 miles Northwest of Oscoda, Michigan, about 150 miles North of Detroit. [4] In the lateryears 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. Today the Wurtsmith district is integral to the community's economic potential. 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. 1946. [1] This meant that there was always at least threeB-52s armed with nuclear bombs, ready to take off at a moments notice. The base is located in Oscoda, Iosco County, Michigan. The former base includes 4,626 acres (1,872 ha) located approximately two miles west of Lake Huron in the Charter Township of Oscoda, bordered by Van Ettan Lake, the Au . This weapon system used some hazardous and a lot of special chemicals to support it. [1], The northern tier Strategic Air Command Ready Alert Strike Force bases were considered less than desirable duty stations for one main reason. 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. U.S. Military Once Again Pollutes Drinking Water and Won't Clean It Up [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. I am pretty sure Diabetes and Sleep Apnea I have now and neuro dammage in both arms are related , So Presumptive Claims puzzleing I have a claim in and never heard anything I know Senator Kilddee of Michigan is trying to help veterans on this matter but congress are dragging this out. It has found from testing this area that some places to have over 1000 parts-per-trillion for PFOS and PFOA. The P-6 was generally similar to the P-1 in construction and appearance. 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. These Air Force bases were remote. OSCODA, Mich. - Oscoda residents and PFAS activists today held a press conference on the shores of Van Etten Lake to set the record straight on the Air Force's contamination of their community from the former Wurtsmith Air . One example of this is autocross racing. [5] While the 379thBomb Wing was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base they were part of the ReadyAlert Nuclear Strike Force. 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 base was put into a standby status to be there just in case something happened in those areas. 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 (USVCP) (www.veteranprograms.com), and any of their associated websites is for general informational. [5] One crew flew 29, mission out of Jeddah, setting the record for most missions flew by a bomber, crew in theater. VA counselor "don't waste your time". To all who are interested in the Camp Skeel/Oscoda AAF/Wurtsmith AFB History. It still haunts me today that we had to do that and were told to just follow orders. 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 . "Keeping Wurtsmith AFB and Aviation History of NE MI Alive" Opens on Armed Forces Day in May, hosts a Welcome Home. I saw a big splash, and then the plane went out of sight.. [5] The B-52s did not get to travel nearly as much as the KC-135s. Maximum speed was 178 mph at sea level, 171 mph at 10,000 feet. Deliveries of the first P-6s were late, the first example not appearing until October 1929. Kelly mentioned she'd been thinking about getting . The base became a permanent installation on January 1, 1951, when the U. S. Air Force designated it as a fighter training base for the Air Defense command. 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. In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. [1], While Wurtsmith Air Force Base was its own little town, it was segregated by officers and enlisted. August 8, 2018. 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. 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. 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. The KC-135s would finish one mission and there would be another one waiting for them as soon as they were available. Airport History. A sand and gravel aquifer of glacial origin underlies Wurtsmith Air Force Base in northeastern lower Michigan. By comparing the concentrations of known fluorosurfactants with the total organofluorine, less than 10% of the fluorosurfactants were identified in half of the samples. Here is a list of military bases that are known to have had their drinking water contaminated with PFAS chemicals: Alameda Naval base, California. We offer visitors three hangars full of military (all branches) and aviation history, static aircraft displays, artifacts, equipment and lots of WAFB memorabilia. Im slowly working my way up from 1924 to the present. The P-47 Thunderbolt fighter and fighter-bomber was used by the Allied air forces during World War II. 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. 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. Welcome to The WAFB Historical Site dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Wurtsmith Air Force Base and the units assigned there. This unfortunately happened on October 11. , 1988 when KC-135 crashed with 6 crew members and 10 passengers on board. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport became a public airport in 1993. Service ceiling 27,200 feet, and range was 260 miles. 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. After being relieved, the flight crew had until the following Monday morningoff. wurtsmith air force base - PICRYL U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs The story stated Moody and three other pilots were taking gunnery practice about three miles north of Port Huron. In 1977 the 379th Bomb Wing upgraded the B-52H fleet to B-52Gaircraft. [4] On August 1st 1958 the 4026th Strategic Wing was formed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. 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. There is an ongoing project to decontaminate the area. They were stationed at the air base from 1986 to 1993. Because of the economic impact of Wurtsmith Air Force Base the community was generally supportive of the airmen, and the base itself. This is heinous, and my heart goes out to so many. My symptoms looking back were insidious with weakness and muscle fasciculations. 379th Air Expeditionary Wing | Military Wiki | Fandom Report also stated that the Oscoda Michigan gunnery field was very rough and sandy and notoriously hard on wheels, landing gears etc. Veteran Compensation Programs (www.veteranprograms.com) does not monitor, pre-screen or moderate posts, surveys, topics, comments, blogs or responses. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of the, Strategic Air Commands bomber fleet. While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a wholelot to do. In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. Mr. Norton experienced this first hand while being station at Wurtsmith Air Force Base when he had his Squadron Commander help him hang drywall in his house. [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at Wurtsmith, Air Force Base. The Bell P-39 Airacobra was not the best fighter aircraft of WWII, but it was the only fighter available in quantity during the first six months of the war. Stationed there for 84-88 and am suffering with a motor neuron disease process. Everyone from the mechanics keeping the planes flyable, to the cookspreparing food for the airmen stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, to thecommanders who ensured that everything from the flight schedules being correctto the proper paperwork being completed to allow the missions to continue. Ruben C. Moffat flew a P-6 converted with a supercharged Conqueror engine on a record-breaking flight. During the Gulf War these planes were run practically 24/7, landing only to swap flight crews to meet the flight crew rest requirements. Mapping PFAS Chemical Contamination at 206 U.S. Military Sites The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (WAFB), located in Oscoda, Iosco County, MI operated from 1924 to 1993. Typically, brown-ish water occurs when there is large change in pressure/flow in a distribution system. The Losinskis found an account of the crash in the Times Herald. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. I was stationed there 1978 -81 lived on base they never told us about the water being contaminated . There is a lot of open runways still today that can be rented out for a multitude of events. [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. Following cleanup, operation and maintenance activities are ongoing. 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. He saw the surrounding land and figured it would make a great place for a gunnery range. [2] The flight crashed at 2:20PM while returning from K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula. Veterans 'likely' drank PFAS at Wurtsmith air 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. /. I still stay in touch with Gary but do not know if he has an e-mail account. [1] Mr. Nortonarrived fresh from navigation school as a 2nd Lieutenant at Wurtsmith Air ForceBase in the fall of 1985. Only afterthe plains were airborne would the crew be notified if it was a drill or not. Why are you focusing only on chlordane and other organochlorine pesticide (OCP) contamination at the Family Housing? Just run the water until it clears up. [6], During the Gulf War B-52s from Wurtsmith Air Force Base were flownout of Prince Abdullah AB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This includes extra parts, munitions, fuel, and flight crews. She has all kinds of problems, my ex died of cancer and I have all kinds of problems. [THE FLINT JOURNAL VIA AP] The Au Sable River is an attraction for families all around Michigan. The last was delivered in December 1930. Wurtsmith Air Force base was one of fivenorthern tier bases in the Strategic Air Commands arsenal. 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. 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. USVCP Staff Writers . He was training with fellow pilots out of what was then Selfridge Field when his plane crashed. Their water table has been contaminated with high levels of PFOA because of the leakage of chemicals from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920's to June 3rd 1993. . It is one of the most famous bases located in our state. U.S. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport - Ready to launch | Business View Magazine This article is from 2018.. Wurtsmith Air Force Base History - Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority 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. Double Jeopardy - Exposed at Kadena and Wurtsmith - Civilian Exposure [1] Wurtsmith Air Force Base was 2nd Lt. Nortons first, permanent duty station in the United States Air Force. I will try and highlight some of the most interesting aircraft and their stories!. One of these places included directly underneath the Oscoda high school. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Oscoda 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. Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had manydifferent missions. For more information regarding services offered by the Lackland Air Force Base Education Center, call 210-671-2895 or DSN 473-2895. . The single officers who lived on base lived in a dorm type building. The Airacobra reached its peak usage in the USAAF in early 1944, with over 2100 in service. The Air Force's decline to commit to Michigan's standards is among a litany of frustrations Oscoda residents say they have . History Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history.
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