[5] Assuming the equipment, personnel and aircraft of the 4026th Strategicwing as it was disbanded. still rejects and "nexus" to the toxic chemicals on the base. [5] Wurtsmith AFB, Mich SAC 379th Bomb Wing B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Wurtsmith_AFB.htm. The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. While many of the airmen preferred to live on base it was possible for them to buy or rent a house or apartment off post. 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). I have always scheduled an apt with my dr to talk about the possibility of how this may have affected me. In their letter, the members expressed their concerns that the Air Force's proposed remediation plan . [1], These KC-135s were necessary because the B-52 could not take off with both a, full load of ordnance and a full tank of gas.[1]. Leaking chemical storage tanks and waste disposal operations contaminated soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. The base is influential in Michigan, as well as the United States military history. The Strategic Air Command activated a wing there on August 1, 1958. What they had was a one-seat warplane piloted by 2nd Lt. Frank H. Moody, of Los Angeles. At Oscoda Army Air Field, from the Group Historian: Over the sandy pine shores of Lake Huron, pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group polished up their flight and gunnery tactics for threat inevitable test of their skill and courage which will eventually lead them to pursuit and battle in the skies of Europe and Asia. By the end of November 1943 all training for the 332nd had been completed at Oscoda and the Group departed for overseas. We knew we had some kind of plane.. The Losinskis are divers David has been diving since 1977; his son, Drew, since 2002 and both are former members of the St. Clair County Dive Team. This could be from hydrant flushing or a water main break. I worked on the flight line. Many tests have been done to see the extent to which the contamination is harming the citizens residing in the area. 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. Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920's to June 3rd 1993. . Typically, brown-ish water occurs when there is large change in pressure/flow in a distribution system. [1] As soon as the wheels touched down the clock would be reset and they could be sent out on another assignment. The views and opinions expressed in this website/articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the U.S. government, We are the men and women of the U.S. Military, Wurtsmith AFB is a Superfund Site. These levels were published by the Enviromental Protection Agency (Mlive.com). Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had manydifferent missions. 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. It was also possible for these missions to originate in the United States. Following cleanup, operation and maintenance activities are ongoing. 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. [6] 379th Bomb Wing Homestead AFB B-47 Wurtsmith AFB B-52, www.strategic-air-command.com/wings/0379bw.htm. The popular legend, supported by interviews and other historical documents, is that Wurtsmith was established as the direct result of a fishing trip by Lt. Ennis Whitehead (later Lt. Gen. Whitehead, commander of the Fifth and Far Eastern Air Forces during and after World War . 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. Student projects from Michigan Tech's SS3505 Military History of the United States, on the people, places, and objects involving our military history in the upper Great Lakes region, Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920s to June 3rd 1993. This is extremely important because harsh chemicals can negatively impact the future of children and infants as well as the elderly. DISCLAIMER: Information displayed on U.S. It was criticized for its low service ceiling, its slow rate of climb, and its generally poor high-altitude performance. At the time, it was considered a vital Air Defense Command base and was equipped and manned with interceptor aircraft capable of flying over the North Pole into the Soviet Union. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. TCE in another well on Jet Street near the present day Wurtsmith AFB museum was 1,739-ppb. History Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. This happened a couple weeks before the IOC which is in the wing,ahistorical records on microfilm. On June 30, , 1993 the 379th Bomb Wing was disbanded and Wurtsmith Air Force Base was closed. On June 30th, 1993 the 379th Bomb Wing was disbanded and Wurtsmith Air Force Base was closed. During the Pacific conflicts personnel and the KC-135Stratotankers were deployed to forward bases in the Pacific to support landoperations. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. Cindi developed hypertension and Lawrence diagnosed with lung disease. We came across the gauge cluster, which had the radio call tag, David Losinski said. [1] This meant that there was always at least three, B-52s armed with nuclear bombs, ready to take off at a moments notice. This man later took the proposal to build a gunnery range to the people of Oscoda. The Wurtsmith Air Force Base, created in 1923, played a large role in WWII. Wurtsmith Air Force Base. A Brief History of Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, www.wurtsmithairmuseum.org/Wurtsmith_AFB/wurtsmith_afb.html. In 1977 the 379th Bomb Wing upgraded the B-52H fleet to B-52Gaircraft. [1], As new technologies and mission goals evolved with time the need for the Strategic Air Commands need for the northern tier became obsolete. There is an ongoing project to decontaminate the area. Only after, the plains were airborne would the crew be notified if it was a drill or not.[1]. Posts and surveys made on this website are opinions or suggestions of users of this website and are not representations, opinions or suggestions of U.S. 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 . As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. [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. A series of stringers were added to the fuselage sides to round out the cross section. It was the most horrible thing I have ever witnessed, she said. Service ceiling 27,200 feet, and range was 260 miles. to the proper paperwork being completed to allow the missions to continue. 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. I have had many other health issues since and have recently found all of this. Because of the economic impact of Wurtsmith Air Force Base the community was generally supportive of the airmen, and the base itself. [4] Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service. An unusual feature of the P-39 Airacobra was the automobile-type doors that had roll-down windows on each side of the cockpit. Deliveries of the first P-6s were late, the first example not appearing until October 1929. [1] Mr. Norton also landed. The pilot apparently noticed it and tried to lift his ship. As long as these assignments were under 180 days they were considered Temporary Duty Assignments. [ 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 . All kind of special chemicals that Boeing told the USAF we had to have. Physical Location:4071 East Van Ettan StreetOscoda, Michigan 48750, Mailing Address:PO Box 664Oscoda, Michigan 48750, Tele: (989) 739-7555(Not answered Nov-Apr)Email:email@wurtsmithairmuseum.net, AN ARTIFACT FROM WURTSMITHS COLD WAR PAST HAS RETURNED HOME, There was one final project I wanted to accomplish before departing my assignment as Flight Commander of Aircrew Flight Equipment and SERE at the. They were stationed at the air base from 1986 to 1993. Many of drums ruptured. 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. The P-6 Hawk (1932-1937) Aircraft was @ Oscoda. In addition, the rear fuselage was deepened in order that it could faire cleanly into the bottom of the radiator. Smoke started coming from the tail of the second plane, and I could see it was in trouble. This weapon system used some hazardous and a lot of special chemicals to support it. USVCP Not A U.S. Government Publication. Like the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth and Newington, the former Michigan base is now a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) site. These, planes would regularly fly missions from Wurtsmith Air Force Base during the, The 379th Bomb Wing moved to Wurtsmith Air Force Base in June of, 19661. [2] Another unfortunate occurrence that Happened more than it should have were Court-Martials. These chemicals have been shown to cause problems with thyroid, liver, kidney, reproduction, and other health problems. 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 . Mr. Norton would occasionally return to fresh fish left by his neighbor on his porch. The result was an airplane which had a much deeper and broader fuselage than did the P-1. distance from the bunker. 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. As soon as an assignment went over 180 days it was considered a permanent change in duty station. The P-47D, in general service by the spring of 1944, had a maximum speed of 440 miles (700 km) per hour and a ceiling of 40,000 feet (12,200 meters). U.S. After one week in the bunker on ready alert the flight crew would be relieved. The married officers lived in a standalone house with their family. 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. to share information regarding health issues, and probable chemical exposure via base water sources. 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. 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. In addition across the base boundary dirt road was the EOD range where every friday morning we burned and destroyed old munitions and other stuff they needed disposed of. [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. 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. 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. [2] Another unfortunate occurrence that Happened more than it should have were Court-Martials. 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. This, flight crew would spend one week in the bunker and be confined to an undisclosed. March 7, 1942: The first class of Tuskegee Airmen graduate from U.S. Army Air Force Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. There are many historical planes you can visit as well as other interesting pieces of history that the public may view. 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. Wurtsmith earned recognition during the war as the leader of the group of pilots using P-40 and P-38 fighter . NPL Status: Proposed Street Address: AFBCA/DB, OSCODA, MI 54961 Congressional District: 01 EPA ID: MI5570024278 Population (within 1 mile): 101-1,000 Contaminant Information. 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). Just run the water until it clears up. 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. With this long list of negative effects it is clearly a big health issue for local residents. For more information regarding services offered by the Lackland Air Force Base Education Center, call 210-671-2895 or DSN 473-2895. . As previously stated, there is a museum open to the public which has artifacts and information on the bases history. Aug 24, 2021. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. She also has many other irregular health problems including bone death, fibromyalgia, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal problems, and underdeveloped reproductive organs. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of theStrategic Air Commands bomber fleet. Section 107, the written material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for educational purposes. 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. 1942 -- Camp Skeel is renamed Oscoda Army Air Field and becomes a P-47 fighter base. The human-made chemicals are in your blood, your clothes, your cosmetics. My first assignment as a Nuclear Weapons specialist was at wurtsmith where we deployed the AGM 69A SRAM missile system. Located in Oscoda, Michigan this base is positioned no more than two miles off the shore of Lake Huron. The KC-135s would finish one mission and there would be another one waiting for them as soon as they were available. A ground-water divide cuts diagonally across the Base from northwest to . Ellsworth Air Force base, South Dakota. The runways were aligned NE/SW, E/W, and NW/SE. Poison Spring: The Secret History of Pollution and the EPA. 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. Groundwater data collected in 1999 at Wurtsmith Air Force Base (Michigan), Tyndall Air Force Base (Florida) and Naval Air Station Fallon (Nevada), where PFC concentrations ranged from below detection limit to over 14,000 g/L, suggest that any military site where AFFFs have been used is likely to have a dissolved plume containing . It is perhaps the best-known of all the between wars Army pursuits. 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. [5] Assuming the equipment, personnel and aircraft of the 4026th Strategic, wing as it was disbanded. Its poor high-altitude performance was a result of a critical decision to remove the turbo-supercharger. My ex wife has thyroid disease and auto immune disease. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. China Lake Naval base, California. At the start of 1985, Wurtsmith maintained an $80 million annual payroll with 3,600 military and civilian personnel. Military bases are known for significant staffing turnover. [1] This would result in a large amount of paperwork and extra expenses for the Air Force. The history of Oscoda Military Aviation is the same as the History of the Air Force. One example of this is autocross racing. Today, the Wurtsmith Air Force Base has a museum where you can learn about its history. These mission were into Iraq. This is heinous, and my heart goes out to so many. During World War II, P-47 fighters were assigned to Oscoda. High blood serum levels of PFOA are associated with infertility, decreased semen quality, and a higher risk of thyroid disease. [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. 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. How is it that these large and respected scientific organizations can continue to be ignored in the face of statistically overwhelming data and human impacts. The EPA began requiring public water systems to monitor for PFOA and PFOS in 2012, but even today there is no federal drinking water standards for PFOA or PFOS. [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. 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). [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at Wurtsmith, Air Force Base. [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. The museum's exhibits are extensive and incredibly high-quality -- including several aircraft that can be examined up . 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] While the 379th, Bomb Wing was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base they were part of the Ready, Alert Nuclear Strike Force. The brown tint is (mostly) caused by scale build up in the pipes being knocked loose. The last was delivered in December 1930. That plane actually crashed April 11, 1944, which was 70 years to the date that the picture was taken, Drew Losinski said. 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. [5] The 379th flew with a Triangle K tail flash to continue thetradition from their World War II counterparts. U.S. Therefore, regardless of the location of cancer in your body, we strongly encourage you to contact our law firm if you spent time at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, either as a veteran or as a family member of one, to recover the financial compensation you are entitled to. USVCP Staff Writers . 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. [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. 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. Their water table has been contaminated with high levels of PFOA because of the leakage of chemicals from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. It is primarily a large jet airplane salvage, jet engine maintenance and light general aviation . These planes arrived at dawn on the first day of the Gulf War. This resulted in KC-135 squadrons spending a greater amount of time on temporary duty assignments than other squadrons from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. [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. It excelled in low-altitude ground support as a well-built and reliable aircraft capable of absorbing quite a bit of battle damage. They resumed the investigation last spring. I recall we lost a tanker on touch and goes which had to be extinguished with a massive amount of this chemical. The presumptive disabilities from contaminated water at Wurtsmith AFB would lead to automatic compensation to potentially thousands of veterans. [1] Wurtsmith Air Force Base was 2nd Lt. Nortons firstpermanent duty station in the United States Air Force.[1]. The Losinskis havent abandoned their quest to bring this long-forgotten chapter in the history of World War II to light. 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. Chanute Air Force base, Illinois. There were frequently extremely large and loud airplanes taxiing, taking off, and landing in the base. In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. [2] The flight crashed at 2:20PM while returning from K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula. 1944 -- Maj. Gen. Paul B. Wurtsmith, born in Detroit in 1906, led U. S. Army Air Corps training flights to Camp Skeel near Oscoda prior to World War II. The 379th was reassigned to Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan without personnel or equipment in January 1961, assuming the aircraft, personnel and equipment of the discontinued 4026th Strategic Wing. They raised $600 to clear the land, which at the time was plenty for this job. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich., served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. (Superstorm) Sandy came along (in October) and moved things around, David Losinski said. 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. 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. 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. At the time, George was a hub of F-4 Phantom fighter jets and OV-10 Bronco reconnaissance planes. If a banker had not taken Lt. Whitehead on a fishing trip there would not have been an Air Force Base in Oscoda Michigan. [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. Theyre looking for other divers who can assist with the effort. [1] On the first Wednesday the, fresh flight crew would relive the current flight crew in the bunkers. 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. In 1953 it was renamed Wurtsmith Air Force Base after Michigan native, Major General Paul Wurtsmith. It has found from testing this area that some places to have over 1000 parts-per-trillion for PFOS and PFOA. The main mission of Oscoda Army Air Field, at the time, was to defend Sault Ste. They want the site to remain a memorial divers can visit. The "Red Tail" P-51 Mustangs flown by the Tuskeegee Airmen []. Click on a marker for base information. He said the wreckage from the plane is scattered across the lake bottom. These mission were into Iraq. Today the Wurtsmith district is integral to the community's economic potential. Lt. Ennis also thought it would be a great place for young Army Air corps to test aircraft (WAFB.net). [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at WurtsmithAir Force Base. It had everything in it. I didnt know anything about the Tuskegee Airmen until we got into this.. Dover Air Force base, Delaware. I saw a big splash, and then the plane went out of sight.. The letter never said what I was objecting to, but that I was refusing to for a lawful order. 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. 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. Tests in Michigan near the former Wurtsmith Air Force base have found PFOS in groundwater at levels as high as 42,000 ppt. 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.
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