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. After being relieved, the flight crew had until the following Monday morning, off. Because Wurtsmith Air Force Base was an Air Force Base it had to have the ability to go into complete lock-down in times of emergency and still support the mission. The 5,221-acre site is bounded by Van Etten Lake to the north and east . [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. One of the unfortunate risks in flying is a crash. [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. The documentary by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sara Ganim focuses on PFAS contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan. Survived stage 3 oral cancer and per medical review, origin unknown since I have never smoked. This meant that Wurtsmith Air Force Base was essentially a self-contained airport with all of the necessities to support a full community on Base. 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. We have a lot of sick civilians and = veterans from contaminated drinking water. This is extremely important because harsh chemicals can negatively impact the future of children and infants as well as the elderly. Contaminated water still plagues lakeside community in Michigan [5] One crew flew 29, mission out of Jeddah, setting the record for most missions flew by a bomber, crew in theater. 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. The state says, We dont have jurisdiction over that; its the Air Force, Losinski said. Our biodegradation . Chanute Air Force base, Illinois. During the Cold War, the base became part of Strategic Air Command. Neither Michigan nor any U.S. officials have conducted a comprehensive study on the contaminants and pollutants under the base. [5] The 379th flew with a Triangle K tail flash to continue the, tradition from their World War II counterparts. Its poor high-altitude performance was a result of a critical decision to remove the turbo-supercharger. 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. My daughter was born there on base in 1987 she has gastric issues, and was born w heart issues. 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. The presumptive disabilities from contaminated water at Wurtsmith AFB would lead to automatic compensation to potentially thousands of veterans. 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. Engine not damaged. Lt. Ennis also thought it would be a great place for young Army Air corps to test aircraft (WAFB.net). empty, 3310 lb gross. Click on a marker for base information. SHATTERED LIVES -- A special report.; Caring Parents, No Answers, In . It still haunts me today that we had to do that and were told to just follow orders. "Keeping Wurtsmith AFB and Aviation History of NE MI Alive" Opens on Armed Forces Day in May, hosts a Welcome Home. The Airacobra reached its peak usage in the USAAF in early 1944, with over 2100 in service. U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. I saw a big splash, and then the plane went out of sight.. Wurtsmith Air Force base was one of five, northern tier bases in the Strategic Air Commands arsenal. 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. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Oscoda, MI - Civilian Exposure Representatives Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) today urged the U.S. Air Force to take more significant steps to address PFAS contamination around the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base near Oscoda. Peters, Stabenow, Kildee, Slotkin Press | Senator Gary Peters Typically, brown-ish water occurs when there is large change in pressure/flow in a distribution system. 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. That plane actually crashed April 11, 1944, which was 70 years to the date that the picture was taken, Drew Losinski said. DOD Base Family Housing - Organochlorine Pesticide Contamination 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 . Their water table has been contaminated with high levels of PFOA because of the leakage of chemicals from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. 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. I have also read about the PFAS via fire retardant foam. ROME, N.Y. -- There was nothing small-scale about Griffiss Air Force Base in the 1990s. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, MI - DOD Base Family Housing There is an ongoing project to decontaminate the area. One of these men were named Lt. Ennis Whitehead. 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. Six Are Killed in Crash Of an Air Force Tanker. The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 Oct. 1988, www.nytimes.com/1988/10/12/us/six-are-killed-in-crash-of-an-air-force-tanker.html. China Lake Naval base, California. Did Wurtsmith Air Force Base cause health woes? - Detroit Free Press This gave the Army operations the opportunity to begin creating the base we know today. [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at Wurtsmith, Air Force Base. To all who are interested in the Camp Skeel/Oscoda AAF/Wurtsmith AFB History. They raised $600 to clear the land, which at the time was plenty for this job. [5] Assuming the equipment, personnel and aircraft of the 4026th Strategicwing as it was disbanded. Today, the Wurtsmith Air Force Base has a museum where you can learn about its history. Wurtsmith airforce base bomb bunkers - YouTube As a young airman, assumed we were returning the stuff to supply to send to the next base. It excelled in low-altitude ground support as a well-built and reliable aircraft capable of absorbing quite a bit of battle damage. What are PFAS, how toxic are they and how do you become exposed? The P-47 Thunderbolt fighter and fighter-bomber was used by the Allied air forces during World War II. 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. The history of Oscoda Military Aviation is the same as the History of the Air Force. The Air Force . In 1979, the state of Michigan sued the Air Force for the contamination. 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. 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. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. It has recently been discovered that that the base has been leaking chemicals into the surrounding waterways. 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. It is primarily a large jet airplane salvage, jet engine maintenance and light general aviation . [1] As soon as the wheels touched down the clock would be reset and they could be sent out on another assignment. A brief history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base - WAFB the first KC-135 in operation Southern Watch. The P-6E was quite a good-looking airplane, and became the most famous of the Hawk line of biplane fighters. Pieces include the engine, the tail, part of the door and the 37-millimeter cannon that fired through the propeller hub. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. On June 30th, 1993 the 379th Bomb Wing was disbanded and Wurtsmith Air Force Base was closed. [5], Dave Norton resigned his commotion as a United States Air ForceCaptain on May 30th, 1993 exactly 9 years after receiving his commissionas a 2nd Lt. form the United States Air Force Academy. This is heinous, and my heart goes out to so many. [1] This was followed by one and a half weeks of normal day to day activitiesuntil the flight crew relieved crew on ready alert in the bunkers.[1]. It was criticized for its low service ceiling, its slow rate of climb, and its generally poor high-altitude performance. Wurtsmith Air Force base was one of fivenorthern tier bases in the Strategic Air Commands arsenal. I was born on base November 1978, and lived on base with my mom, brother born 1989 on base, and my dad, a civil engineer stationed on base until oct 1982. [4] Its mission was to, maintain half of the fleet on a 15 minute alert, meaning the plane could be in, the air in 15 minutes, to reduce vulnerability to a Soviet preemptive missile, strike. Today the Wurtsmith district is integral to the community's economic potential. 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. 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. [4] Its mission was tomaintain half of the fleet on a 15 minute alert, meaning the plane could be inthe air in 15 minutes, to reduce vulnerability to a Soviet preemptive missilestrike. Wurtsmith Air Force Base. A Brief History of Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, www.wurtsmithairmuseum.org/Wurtsmith_AFB/wurtsmith_afb.html. I recall we lost a tanker on touch and goes which had to be extinguished with a massive amount of this chemical. My husband and our two children lived there from 1985-1993 I have a nerve problem my daughter has autoimmune (MS) youngest daughter has kidney problems. Peters: Air Force Must Immediately Prior | Senator Gary Peters 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. Military bases are known for significant staffing turnover. Poison Spring: The Secret History of Pollution and the EPA. The married officers lived in a standalone house with their family. 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. However, the drawdown was fairly rapid after that and they were quickly replaced by P-38s, P-47s and P-51s. 1942 -- Camp Skeel is renamed Oscoda Army Air Field and becomes a P-47 fighter base. purposes only, and is not legal advice. Wurtsmith Air Force Base | Detailed Pedia Wurtsmith Air Museum (Oscoda) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go 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 Lackland Air Force Base Education Center is located at 1550 Wurtsmith Street, Suite 5. . The Realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base. [1] On the first Wednesday the, fresh flight crew would relive the current flight crew in the bunkers. [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. 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. The KC-135s would finish one mission and there would be another one waiting for them as soon as they were available. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Oscoda Investigating PFAS in Michigan | ATSDR Cindi developed hypertension and Lawrence diagnosed with lung disease. This bunker compound housedthe flight crews on ready alert, the three B-52 bombers ready to take off at amoments notice, and the accompanying KC-135s ready to top off the B-52s after takeoff. Drew said, Dad, thats an airplane., You could see the wings. My symptoms looking back were insidious with weakness and muscle fasciculations. 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). 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. http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/wurtsmith_pfas_pfc_april_45_me.html. According to the Air Force's account, in October 1977, a Wurtsmith base housing resident complained about a peculiar odor and taste in the drinking water. My daughter was born at the base hospital. 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. 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 . wikipedia.en/Mole_hole.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en 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. 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. 70-77 lived on base housing with family, flight line assistant supervisor. The base was put into a standby status to be there just in case something happened in those areas. [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. These are simply the specific . 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. Tests in Michigan near the former Wurtsmith Air Force base have found PFOS in groundwater at levels as high as 42,000 ppt. In addition, the rear fuselage was deepened in order that it could faire cleanly into the bottom of the radiator. As soon as an assignment went over 180 days it was considered a permanent change in duty station. There were frequently extremely large and loud airplanes taxiing, taking off, and landing in the base. This happened a couple weeks before the IOC which is in the wing,ahistorical records on microfilm. Why are you focusing only on chlordane and other organochlorine pesticide (OCP) contamination at the Family Housing? . This would cause some big problems for the fish and other life that lives beneath the surface. 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. [2] Another unfortunate occurrence that Happened more than it should have were Court-Martials. [5] The 379th Bomb Wing immediately continued the 4026thStrategic Wing operations and training. Following cleanup, operation and maintenance activities are ongoing. 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 runways were aligned NE/SW, E/W, and NW/SE. Environmental groups are calling on the Air Force and the State of Michigan to get serious about cleaning up PFAS around the site of the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. 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. A short time later in July 1944 it was being used to train Free French Air Force pilots, which eventually led to more and more training and more and more storage of aircraft like the B-52G (oscairport.com). 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. [1] Wurtsmith Air Force Base was 2nd Lt. Nortons firstpermanent duty station in the United States Air Force.[1]. They also were known as the Red Tails because they painted the tails of their aircraft red. This cycle was from Wednesday to Wednesday. Maximum speed was 178 mph at sea level, 171 mph at 10,000 feet. [3] Search Superfund Site Information. EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 28 Dec. 2016, cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0503675. My son, was born on the base, has a malformed aorta and congenital nerve damage hearing loss. [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. The 5,223-acre Wurtsmith Air Force Base (Wurtsmith AFB) is located on the northeastern part of Michigans lower peninsula. 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. Aircraft rolled 630 feet before nosing over. The 1st Combat Evaluation Group (initially "1CEG", later "1CEVG") was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit. As long as these assignments were under 180 days they were considered Temporary Duty Assignments. [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 Loring Air Force Base UFO Encounter - UFO Insight Typical occurrences on Wurtsmith Air Force Base included planes flying in and out on missions. This building was like the barracks, but each officer had his own room. [4] Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service. 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. The majority of married enlisted and officers preferred to live on base because of the free daycare for children. A ground-water divide cuts diagonally across the Base from northwest to sou In 1960 it became part of the Strategic Air Command . In 1942, three 5000x150 concrete runways were built. With that being said, these chemicals are going to be reaching a lot more people than just the Oscoda residents. [2] Another unfortunate occurrence that Happened more than it should have were Court-Martials. What's next? For example a KC-135 could take off from Wurtsmith Air Force Base, fly across the Pacific Ocean, land in Spain, have the flight crew be relieved by a fresh crew, fly into theater, complete the mission and return to Spain, where the original crew would be rested and ready to fly the KC-135 back to Wurtsmith Air Force Base. I remember getting a letter of counseling when I wanted to object as a warning what could happen. 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. As previously stated, there is a museum open to the public which has artifacts and information on the bases history. The 4026th was a SAC Major Command controlled (MAJCON) wing that had been organized on 1 August 1958. The former base includes 4,626 acres (1,872ha) located approximately two miles west of Lake Huron in the Charter Township of Oscoda, bordered by Van Ettan Lake, the These bases were, responsible for a housing a Ready Alert Nuclear Strike Force. They were stationed at the air base from 1986 to 1993. [1], The usefulness and mission type of the KC-135 in maintaining air superiority, as well as supporting missions originating in the United States meant that they would have longer assignments, as well as much more fluid assignments than other types of squadrons. The Losinskis said they want to preserve the site for people to dive on. There is no amount of PFOA that is officially recognized as harmful. However, many studies have shown otherwise. Thisflight crew would spend one week in the bunker and be confined to an undiscloseddistance from the bunker. Wurtsmith Air, Force Base was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this. The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. In March of 1943, the Third Air Force reactivated the field for training of black aviators. These planes arrived at dawn on the first day of the Gulf War. Once we brought that up and cleaned the tag, we knew it was the 221226 serial number.. Ellsworth Air Force base, South Dakota. The single officers who lived on base lived in a dorm type building. [5] The 379th Bomb Wing immediately continued the 4026th, During the Pacific conflicts personnel and the KC-135, Stratotankers were deployed to forward bases in the Pacific to support land, operations. Weights were 2450 lb. [1] Traci Kroushour, an Oscoda resident until the age of 12, had her uterus removed at the age of 28 and can never have children. 2 talking about this. The base came to be because of chance. 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. 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. [5] One crew flew 29mission out of Jeddah, setting the record for most missions flew by a bombercrew in theater. These mission were into Iraq. What they had was a one-seat warplane piloted by 2nd Lt. Frank H. Moody, of Los Angeles. 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. These organizations primarily fall into seven types of activities: aviation, manufacturing, technology, medical, housing, education, community services and technology. [1] This would result in a large amount of paperwork and extra expenses for the Air Force. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of the, Strategic Air Commands bomber fleet. I was stationed there 1988-1992. This cycle was from Wednesday to Wednesday. Airport History. [5] Wurtsmith AFB, Mich SAC 379th Bomb Wing B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Wurtsmith_AFB.htm. This year, we went out diving, and we could see these points of interest from the surface, Losinski said. [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. Air Force - DOD Base Family Housing [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. At the time, George was a hub of F-4 Phantom fighter jets and OV-10 Bronco reconnaissance planes. [1] Mr. Norton also landedthe first KC-135 in operation Southern Watch. Because the Committee on Toxicology (NRC, 1979) concluded that it could not determine a level of exposure to chlordane below which there would be no biologic effect under conditions of prolonged exposure of families in military housing. The pesticide levels and CERCLA 120(h) Deed Restrictions are public information and readily available. Investigation determined a defective tire caused the accident. 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. After one week in the bunker on ready alert the flight crew would be relieved. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Now I see this years later. "It was a city within a city. wurtsmith air force base - PICRYL The Air Force says, Any aircraft before 1961, weve abandoned it.. 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. Is this a common thing at other Air Force bases? : r/AirForce He was stationed at the base. 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.