The ready alert flight crews were rotated on a three week cycle. Our History - Wurtsmith Air Museum 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. 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. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport - Ready to launch | Business View Magazine Im slowly working my way up from 1924 to the present. People who are exposed every day for an extended period of time are the ones who start to see real problems, some of which I mentioned above. It had everything in it. Aircraft rolled 630 feet before nosing over. 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. [5] Assuming the equipment, personnel and aircraft of the 4026th Strategic, wing as it was disbanded. [1] As soon as the wheels touched down the clock would be reset and they could be sent out on another assignment. More than 40 private businesses and public agencies use the former Air Force facilities and infrastructure, providing more than 1,300 jobs to the area, as well as the conversion of former base housing to 700 privately owned residential homes. Wurtsmith Air Force Base | Military Wiki | Fandom Located in Oscoda, Michigan this base is positioned no more than two miles off the shore of Lake Huron. 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. Tests in Michigan near the former Wurtsmith Air Force base have found PFOS in groundwater at levels as high as 42,000 ppt. Military challenging states on $2 billion chemical liability - Unwell Water [4] Over the tenure of the base it was home to an aerial gunnery range, a fighter-interceptor training base and later home to the 379th Bomb Wing as a member of the Strategic Air Command.[4]. We have a lot of sick civilians and = veterans from contaminated drinking water. Home - Wurtsmith Air Museum Typical occurrences on Wurtsmith Air Force Base included planes flying in and out on missions. 70-77 lived on base housing with family, flight line assistant supervisor. 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. It is one of the most famous bases located in our state. 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. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Wikipedia [1] Mr. Norton also landed. We came across the gauge cluster, which had the radio call tag, David Losinski said. 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. [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. They have been detected in air, water, soils, sediments, and in rain at levels that would be considered unsafe in drinking . Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. Spouse Connections Five & Thrive targets spouses' top five challenges 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. [1] While this was a relatively boring week, it was extremely stressful, because no one knew when the alarm would sound, but more importantly no one, knew if it would be a drill or not. Airport History. Nothing contained herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of a competent Veteran Service Officer (VSO)in good standing and licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. Ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan - USGS Because of this KC-135 squadrons would routinely fly 175 day assignments and return to their home base. [1], While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a whole, lot to do. 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. PFOA exposure is also shown to be associated with increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children between ages 12-15. This includes extra parts, munitions, fuel, and flight crews. Philippines -- Clark Air Base Maps, Charts, and Blueprints What's next? 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. [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. Powerplant: 1 Allison V-1710-85 liquid-cooled V-12, 1,200 hp (895 kW), Maximum speed: 376 mph (605 km/h) (Redline dive speed was 525 mph), Range: 525 miles on internal fuel (840 km). Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had manydifferent missions. What us the compensation for this? It is perhaps the best-known of all the between wars Army pursuits. In a fly off against the contemporary Boeing P-12B, the P-6E was faster, but the P-12B was more maneuverable. Thanks for sending to you and Pat. 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. Two years after release I started to experience very visible loss of musculature and strength. Now, I have been diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure and congestive heart disease, I am currently on dialysis awaiting a kidney transplant. As Michigan makes PFAS strides, Oscoda residents say Air Force is Now I see this years later. [ 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 . The Loring Air Force Base UFO Encounter - UFO Insight This unfortunately happened on October 11th, 1988 when KC-135 crashed with 6 crew members and 10 passengers on board. [2] The flight crashed at 2:20PM while returning from K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula. This cycle was from Wednesday to Wednesday. 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. U.S. Air Force should abide by state of Michigan's PFAS Standards, state must hold Air Force accountable. 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. It is primarily a large jet airplane salvage, jet engine maintenance and light general aviation . 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. An unusual feature of the P-39 Airacobra was the automobile-type doors that had roll-down windows on each side of the cockpit. I have had many other health issues since and have recently found all of this. In 1977 the 379th Bomb Wing upgraded the B-52H fleet to B-52Gaircraft. This is a short video about the small museum located at the decommissioned Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda Mi.http://www.rv-project.com 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. Once we brought that up and cleaned the tag, we knew it was the 221226 serial number.. The married enlisted airmen who lived on base lived in a condo type set up with their family. I served at Wursmith AFB from 1982 to 1989, living in base housing the entire time and drinking the water. 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. This cycle was from Wednesday to Wednesday. 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. Double Jeopardy - Exposed at Kadena and Wurtsmith - Civilian Exposure I was stationed there from 11/84-1989. . This is a very big issue for the people of Oscoda and the surrounding areas for obvious reasons. Lora Cole, 1/8/20 I am the daughter to a vet that was in this I was a baby at the time. 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. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of theStrategic Air Commands bomber fleet. The Realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base. Peters, Stabenow, Kildee, Slotkin Press | Senator Gary Peters 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. The KC-135s would finish one mission and there would be another one waiting for them as soon as they were available. On June 30th, 1993 the 379th Bomb Wing was disbanded and Wurtsmith Air Force Base was closed. 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. 1970 - The Air Force knew that some of the Webb Air Force Base Family Housing units, located in Big Spring Texas, were contaminated with and the occupants exposed to a large quantity of chlordane. 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. [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at Wurtsmith, Air Force Base. Mr. Norton would occasionally return to fresh fish left by his neighbor on his porch. 'We've been betrayed:' Veterans blame Air Force base water for - mlive What they had was a one-seat warplane piloted by 2nd Lt. Frank H. Moody, of Los Angeles. to share information regarding health issues, and probable chemical exposure via base water sources. Its poor high-altitude performance was a result of a critical decision to remove the turbo-supercharger. 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. My ex wife has thyroid disease and auto immune disease. [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. 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 . My symptoms looking back were insidious with weakness and muscle fasciculations. 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], 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. Lt. Ennis also thought it would be a great place for young Army Air corps to test aircraft (WAFB.net). Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. 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] This would result in a large amount of paperwork and extra expenses for the Air Force. Air Force - DOD Base Family Housing 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. 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. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in northeastern Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A total of 15,683 Thunderbolts were produced by wars end, more than any other U.S. fighter. [5] The 379th Bomb Wing immediately continued the 4026thStrategic Wing operations and training. [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. . I have also read about the PFAS via fire retardant foam. Theyve seen lots of things underwater, but the story of the P-39 fighter lost just off the Port Huron beachfront touched them. Off Base Housing. These bases were, responsible for a housing a Ready Alert Nuclear Strike Force. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport became a public airport in 1993. They resumed the investigation last spring. These chemicals have been shown to cause problems with thyroid, liver, kidney, reproduction, and other health problems. Environmental groups issue report, 'setting the record straight' about As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. I was stationed there 1988-1992. The Air Force's decline to commit to Michigan's standards is among a litany of frustrations Oscoda residents say they have . [1] While this was a relatively boring week, it was extremely stressfulbecause no one knew when the alarm would sound, but more importantly no oneknew if it would be a drill or not. Aug 24, 2021. 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. "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. 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. They included chemicals like MEK, PD 680, TRI CHLOROFLOIANS, ACIDS, ALODIANS, ALL KINDS OF PAINTS, SPECIAL MISSILE SKIN REPAIR KITS. 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. 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. My daughter was born there on base in 1987 she has gastric issues, and was born w heart issues. The Wurtsmith Air Force Incident. High blood serum levels of PFOA are associated with infertility, decreased semen quality, and a higher risk of thyroid disease. [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 5,221-acre site is bounded by Van Etten Lake to the north and east . 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. This could be from hydrant flushing or a water main break. I have always scheduled an apt with my dr to talk about the possibility of how this may have affected me. This lead to Wurtsmith transferring to Air Combat Command control, and then on June 30th 1993, Wurtsmith Air Force Base closed. This remoteness of Wurtsmith Air Force Base, as well as common brotherhood of being in the United States Air Force resulted in a tight knit community formed by the airmen and their families. Wurtsmith got its start in 1923 as Loud-Reames Aviation Field, a soft-surface landing site for Arm Air Corps aircraft from Selfridge Field. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. Kelly mentioned she'd been thinking about getting . Why women were told 'Don't get pregnant at George Air Force Base' At the start of 1985, Wurtsmith maintained an $80 million annual payroll with 3,600 military and civilian personnel. The museum's exhibits are extensive and incredibly high-quality -- including several aircraft that can be examined up . 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 . Heart condition, prostate cancer, diabetic, sometimes confused in making decisions. Lackland AFB, TX | Educational Services He was stationed at the base. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Alchetron, the free social encyclopedia 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. [5] One crew flew 29, mission out of Jeddah, setting the record for most missions flew by a bomber, crew in theater. 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 . A new report compiled by a local group, Need Our Water (NOW) and the National Wildlife Federation . Wurtsmith AFB has a better paper trail showing irrefutable evidence of contamination of the base drinking water with Trichloroethelene (TCE) first discovered in 1977 as a result of a complaint from a base housing resident. 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. On May 9, 1961, the base took delivery of its first new Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress, The State of Michigan. Cindi developed hypertension and Lawrence diagnosed with lung disease. 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. David Losinski said he and his son were assisting the state Department of Environmental Quality with a barge that sank in Lake Huron in July 2012. A sand and gravel aquifer of glacial origin underlies Wurtsmith Air Force Base in northeastern lower Michigan. Investigation determined a defective tire caused the accident. By Steve Elliott 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs. There are many different ways that PFOA and PFOS can affect the human body. 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. 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. PFAS Military Base Lawsuits | Contaminated Water | ClassAction.org [1] This includes on base housing, a daycare center for children, a doctor's office, a . Me and Dan drive around base and check out the bunkers that held nuclear weapons during the cold war 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. Typical occurrences on Wurtsmith Air Force Base included planes flying in and out on missions. So now what? As a young airman, assumed we were returning the stuff to supply to send to the next base. A series of stringers were added to the fuselage sides to round out the cross section. Having high amounts of this chemical directly underneath their high school could have serious long-term effects on the kids that attend school as well as the faculty. Hill Housing area-- Wurtsmith Elementary School, Grissom Elementary School, Wagner Middle School, . [5] Wurtsmith AFB, Mich SAC 379th Bomb Wing B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Wurtsmith_AFB.htm. The main mission of Oscoda Army Air Field, at the time, was to defend Sault Ste. Traci Kroushour, an Oscoda resident until the age of 12, had her uterus removed at the age of 28 and can never have children. I was shocked when we drove to a wooded area not far from bomber alert pad and WSA up the road of the k9 area where a bull dozed had dug a large trench and we were ordered to dump the shit. The story stated Moody and three other pilots were taking gunnery practice about three miles north of Port Huron. Members of the Tuskegee Airmen, trained at Oscoda for several weeks and stayed on the base. The base came to be because of chance. A map of the base locations listed above can be viewed below. Our biodegradation . 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. History. [3], [1] Dave Norton, Former United States Air Force Captain, interviewed on 23 OCT 2017, [2] Ap. Dover Air Force base, Delaware. History Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. 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. Most individuals are not educated on what the base did before and after World War II, what is currently happening at this . She also has many other irregular health problems including bone death, fibromyalgia, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal problems, and underdeveloped reproductive organs. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan Redevelopment Profile The 4026th was a SAC Major Command controlled (MAJCON) wing that had been organized on 1 August 1958. 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. out of Prince Abdullah AB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. [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, a brief history and life on post The B-52 is being serviced under the Strategic Air Command Recovery Oriented Aircraft Maintenance (ROAM) system. If your base is not on the map or list above, this does not mean you were not exposed to PFAS chemicals from firefighting foam. Wurtsmith Today The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (AFB) properties are being reutilized by 28 businesses and agencies that collectively employ more than 1,660 workers (representing 240 percent of civilian jobs lost). There are many good photos of P-39s at Selfridge Field (Posted below), but none of P-39s at Oscoda.

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