wurtsmith air force base housing wurtsmith air force base housing

It was renamed Camp Skeel in 1924, for the World War I Pilot Captain Burt E. Skeel, and was used as an aerial gunnery range and for winter maneuvers 1924 through 1944 by the 1st Pursuit . Investigating PFAS in Michigan | ATSDR In 1977 the 379th Bomb Wing upgraded the B-52H fleet to B-52Gaircraft. Lt. Ennis also thought it would be a great place for young Army Air corps to test aircraft (WAFB.net). 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. She gave Kelly the rundown of the base. He saw the surrounding land and figured it would make a great place for a gunnery range. There were frequently extremely large and loud airplanes taxiing, taking off, and landing in the base. They also were known as the Red Tails because they painted the tails of their aircraft red. [5] In recent years groundwater contamination has be linked to jet fuel, cleaning agents, and fire suppression agents used at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. With all of this in a single family, the V.A. 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. Theyre looking for other divers who can assist with the effort. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of the, Strategic Air Commands bomber fleet. Drinking Water At Wurtsmith AFB Contaminted. The B-52 is being serviced under the Strategic Air Command Recovery Oriented Aircraft Maintenance (ROAM) system. Double Jeopardy - Exposed at Kadena and Wurtsmith - Civilian Exposure In a fly off against the contemporary Boeing P-12B, the P-6E was faster, but the P-12B was more maneuverable. There is no amount of PFOA that is officially recognized as harmful. However, many studies have shown otherwise. I was stationed there 1988-1992. Although in the past the Wurtsmith Air Force Base was extremely successful there are some prevalent issues with it today. Wurtsmith Air Museum (Oscoda) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go In 1979, the state of Michigan sued the Air Force for the contamination. Now I see this years later. Their water table has been contaminated with high levels of PFOA because of the leakage of chemicals from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Airplane nosed over when landing gear tire casing failed, locking the right wheel. Assessment of ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base My daughter was born there on base in 1987 she has gastric issues, and was born w heart issues. [1] This meant that there was always at least three, B-52s armed with nuclear bombs, ready to take off at a moments notice. The Au Sable River is an attraction for families all around Michigan. In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. These contaminants are harmful to the environment. For the civil use of this facility and airport information, see Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in northeastern Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Oscoda, Michigan and Tales of Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Postcard History 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. One example of this is autocross racing. Most Air Corps/Force types used Oscoda at one time or another. Our biodegradation . Photos of P-47s flown by French Pilots at Oscoda. . 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 unfortunately happened on October 11. , 1988 when KC-135 crashed with 6 crew members and 10 passengers on board. PFAS Military Base Lawsuits | Contaminated Water | ClassAction.org Many of drums ruptured. Wurtsmith Air Force base was one of five, northern tier bases in the Strategic Air Commands arsenal. There are many different ways that PFOA and PFOS can affect the human body. 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. If you are interested in any particular aircraft of time period please let me know. Beginning in July 1944, the P-47 Thunderbolt was used extensively to train Free French Air Force pilots at Oscoda Army Air Field (AAF). 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. There are a lot of stories to tell. 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. Wafb.net 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. Contaminated water has been shown to be the main way that humans get exposed to this chemical, which is exactly whats going on in Oscoda. After a trip to the Boneyard in September 2019, hundreds of current and vintage photos are being sorted, scanned and uploaded. He said the wreckage from the plane is scattered across the lake bottom. I have had sever kidney problems since 1983 that carried on into my mid teens. "Keeping Wurtsmith AFB and Aviation History of NE MI Alive" Opens on Armed Forces Day in May, hosts a Welcome Home. The study doesn't estimate past concentrations or exposure dosage and was released with . This building was like the barracks, but each officer had his own room. It was built out of a portion of the decommissioned Wurtsmith Air Force Base which housed nuclear armed B-52 Stratofortress bombers during the Cold War as well as air refueling squadrons. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. [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. From: Members of the ground crew move a maintenance cart into position next to a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft parked on the flight line. [1], While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a whole, lot to do. Ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan - USGS The Wurtsmith Air Museum is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to preserving the history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base and aviation in Northeastern Michigan. The Strategic Air Command activated a wing there on August 1, 1958. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. Former military base a magnet for retirees - middletownpress.com During the Cold War, the base became part of Strategic Air Command. City officials in Dayton, Ohio, have also found the response from the Air Force to cleanup contamination at Wright Patterson Air Force Base to be inadequate. The cockpit canopy offered exceptional all-round visibility for the pilot. Thisflight crew would spend one week in the bunker and be confined to an undiscloseddistance from the bunker. It had everything in it. Wurtsmith Air Force Base | Military Wiki | Fandom 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. However, the drawdown was fairly rapid after that and they were quickly replaced by P-38s, P-47s and P-51s. Feds: Wurtsmith veterans could get cancer, other health problems from Most individuals are not educated on what the base did before and after World War II, what is currently happening at this . The Losinskis found an account of the crash in the Times Herald. [1] Wurtsmith Air Force Base was 2nd Lt. Nortons first, permanent duty station in the United States Air Force. As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. It excelled in low-altitude ground support as a well-built and reliable aircraft capable of absorbing quite a bit of battle damage. The 5,223-acre Wurtsmith Air Force Base (Wurtsmith AFB) is located on the northeastern part of Michigans lower peninsula. After being relieved, the flight crew had until the following Monday morning, off. I have always scheduled an apt with my dr to talk about the possibility of how this may have affected me. 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. Located in Oscoda, Michigan this base is positioned no more than two miles off the shore of Lake Huron. ASN Aircraft accident Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker 60-0317 Oscoda During the Pacific conflicts personnel and the KC-135Stratotankers were deployed to forward bases in the Pacific to support landoperations. [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. Once we brought that up and cleaned the tag, we knew it was the 221226 serial number.. Ruben C. Moffat flew a P-6 converted with a supercharged Conqueror engine on a record-breaking flight. The P-6 was generally similar to the P-1 in construction and appearance. [3], [1] Dave Norton, Former United States Air Force Captain, interviewed on 23 OCT 2017, [2] Ap. My mom was recently diagnosed a month ago with colon cancer and skin cancer and still being treated by a dr, my broth had sever ulcers his entire early childhood. Wurtsmith Air Force Base History - Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority 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. To all who are interested in the Camp Skeel/Oscoda AAF/Wurtsmith AFB History. Here is a list of military bases that are known to have had their drinking water contaminated with PFAS chemicals: Alameda Naval base, California. There were frequently extremely large and loud airplanes taxiing, taking off, and landing in the base. This weapon system used some hazardous and a lot of special chemicals to support it. 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. Service ceiling 27,200 feet, and range was 260 miles. [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 typical activities while not on ready alert varied greatlyfrom person to person. [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. Hill Housing area-- Wurtsmith Elementary School, Grissom Elementary School, Wagner Middle School, . 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. History Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich., served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. Theyve seen lots of things underwater, but the story of the P-39 fighter lost just off the Port Huron beachfront touched them. Published August 24, 2021 at 4:15 PM EDT. This is an evolving issue with many moving parts. 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. Smoke started coming from the tail of the second plane, and I could see it was in trouble. 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. 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). The pilot apparently noticed it and tried to lift his ship. empty, 3310 lb gross. A bomber squadron for example would be sent out to destroy a target and return to its home base within a week. The letter never said what I was objecting to, but that I was refusing to for a lawful order. [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. [5] The 379th flew with a Triangle K tail flash to continue the, tradition from their World War II counterparts. Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport became a public airport in 1993. At this time, the camp was renamed and the airfield was under III Fighter Command jurisdiction. This year, we went out diving, and we could see these points of interest from the surface, Losinski said. [1] This would result in a large amount of paperwork and extra expenses for the Air Force. I didnt know anything about the Tuskegee Airmen until we got into this.. 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). During those efforts, they noted several areas they wanted to investigate, including one about four miles north of the Blue Water Bridge. Any one else from 84-89 have issues? We offer visitors three hangars full of military (all branches) and aviation history, static aircraft displays, artifacts, equipment and lots of WAFB memorabilia. In 1932, Capt. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, MI - DOD Base Family Housing 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. [1], The northern tier Strategic Air Command Ready Alert Strike Force bases were considered less than desirable duty stations for one main reason. [6], During the Gulf War B-52s from Wurtsmith Air Force Base were flownout of Prince Abdullah AB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. P-6E, serial number 32-156, 17th Pursuit Squadron from Selfridge Field Michigan. . In 1960 it became part of the Strategic Air Command . These Air Force bases were remote. This man later took the proposal to build a gunnery range to the people of Oscoda. CSIRO PUBLISHING | Environmental Chemistry The single officers who lived on base lived in a dorm type building. Dover Air Force base, Delaware. These bases wereresponsible for a housing a Ready Alert Nuclear Strike Force. She also has many other irregular health problems including bone death, fibromyalgia, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal problems, and underdeveloped reproductive organs. Leaking chemical storage tanks and waste disposal operations contaminated soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. 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. The presumptive disabilities from contaminated water at Wurtsmith AFB would lead to automatic compensation to potentially thousands of veterans. This article is from 2018.. The history of Oscoda Military Aviation is the same as the History of the Air Force. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Alchetron, the free social encyclopedia Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. Bert E. Skeel was a WWI pilot who died in an air race in Ohio. 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. 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. 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] This includes on base housing, a daycare center for children, a doctor's office, a . Aircraft upper wing, left lower wing, rudder and propeller damaged. https://www.oscairport.com/index.php/available-properties/, https://www.oscairport.com/index.php/development-site/, https://www.afhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/APH-Winter2016.pdf, http://www.armytimes.com/story/news/2014/07/30/divers-find-wreckage-of-world-war-ii-era-plane/13354373/, https://wurtsmithairmuseum.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Air-Refueling-Squadron-_-Real-People-_-George-Schlatter720p.mp4. All Rights Reserved. [1], The ready alert flight crews were rotated on a three week cycle. Wurtsmith Air Force Base - Oscoda [3] Search Superfund Site Information. EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 28 Dec. 2016, cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0503675. 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. As a young airman, assumed we were returning the stuff to supply to send to the next base. 'We've been betrayed:' Veterans blame Air Force base water for - mlive The Air Force says, Any aircraft before 1961, weve abandoned it.. This gave the Army operations the opportunity to begin creating the base we know today. She has all kinds of problems, my ex died of cancer and I have all kinds of problems. Wurtsmith AFB and its Contamination - Military History of the Upper [5] Assuming the equipment, personnel and aircraft of the 4026th Strategic, wing as it was disbanded. WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. I am not a doctor or attorney, and cannot give medical advice or legal advice. These are simply the specific . He was stationed at the 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. 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. They raised $600 to clear the land, which at the time was plenty for this job. My first daughter was born there at their hospital.my ex husband now, is very sick. Wurtsmith got its start in 1923 as Loud-Reames Aviation Field, a soft-surface landing site for Arm Air Corps aircraft from Selfridge Field. Following cleanup, operation and maintenance activities are ongoing. U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs (www.veteranprograms.com) does not monitor, pre-screen or moderate posts, surveys, topics, comments, blogs or responses. The brown tint is (mostly) caused by scale build up in the pipes being knocked loose. A series of stringers were added to the fuselage sides to round out the cross section. 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. View All Homes - Homes for Rent 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. There is a lot of open runways still today that can be rented out for a multitude of events. The museum's exhibits are extensive and incredibly high-quality -- including several aircraft that can be examined up . 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 . [1] This tight knit community was not confined to just the Air Force Base, but extended into the community as well. Visiting Wurtsmith Air Museum, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan - YouTube 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. After being relieved, the flight crew had until the following Monday morningoff. This happened a couple weeks before the IOC which is in the wing,ahistorical records on microfilm. [1] Mr. Norton, arrived fresh from navigation school as a 2nd Lieutenant at Wurtsmith Air Force, Base in the fall of 1985. The 4026th was a SAC Major Command controlled (MAJCON) wing that had been organized on 1 August 1958. The Air Force knew about the contamination and spent millions since 1977 to try to cover up the problem by adding phosphates to mask the odor of the chemical in the water. It has found from testing this area that some places to have over 1000 parts-per-trillion for PFOS and PFOA. These high levels of PFOA elevate the risks of kidney cancer, mesothelioma, and diabetes. A ground-water divide cuts diagonally across the Base from northwest to . The landing gear was changed from rubber-block shock absorbers inside the fuselage to oleo-and-spring units mounted in the outer forward strut. [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. Ellsworth Air Force base, South Dakota. 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. I remember getting a letter of counseling when I wanted to object as a warning what could happen. [1] This was further broken down by marital status. [1], As new technologies and mission goals evolved with time the need for the Strategic Air Commands need for the northern tier became obsolete. The P-47 Thunderbolt fighter and fighter-bomber was used by the Allied air forces during World War II. State officials' concerns about pollution in the area date back to 2012, when the health department issued a "do not eat" advisory for all fish caught near Wurtsmith Air Force Base. 1946. Mr. Norton would occasionally return to fresh fish left by his neighbor on his porch. March 7, 1942: The first class of Tuskegee Airmen graduate from U.S. Army Air Force Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. The Wurtsmith base closed in 1991, sending the Harrises to Plattsburgh, N.Y., where friends and neighbors remembered the boys as Scouts and Little Leaguers, and their parents as being involved in . Some areas of the site are still under investigation. As long as these assignments were under 180 days they were considered Temporary Duty Assignments. It was criticized for its low service ceiling, its slow rate of climb, and its generally poor high-altitude performance. In addition, the rear fuselage was deepened in order that it could faire cleanly into the bottom of the radiator. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. [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. Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had manydifferent missions. 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. [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at Wurtsmith, Air Force Base. wurtsmith air force base - PICRYL Lester Graham. Even studies on fish have been done, where it was found that PFOA is a liver carcinogen in rainbow trout. Home Buyers Guide; Find a Real Estate Agent; Price: $299,000. As an officer Mr. Norton had to sit in on Court-Martials. [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. [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. If there's a main break, sections of the base will . I have also read about the PFAS via fire retardant foam. 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. ROME, N.Y. -- There was nothing small-scale about Griffiss Air Force Base in the 1990s. 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. 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). At the time, George was a hub of F-4 Phantom fighter jets and OV-10 Bronco reconnaissance planes. The base is influential in Michigan, as well as the United States military history. Eielson Air Force base, Alaska. 1st Combat Evaluation Group 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. I served at Wurtsmith from 1974-1977 my whole family has suffered from various ongoing ailments. The P-6E was quite a good-looking airplane, and became the most famous of the Hawk line of biplane fighters. The aquifer overlies a thick clay layer at an average depth of 65 feet. The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American members of the 332nd Fighter Group and 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Force who fought in Europe during World War II. Investigation determined a defective tire caused the accident. 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.