[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. [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. 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. This judgement flies in the face provided by the federal ATSDR and the National Institute of Health. My family lived on this base in 1983 to 1987, are we at risk? These mission were into Iraq. These levels were published by the Enviromental Protection Agency (Mlive.com). Published August 24, 2021 at 4:15 PM EDT. One of the unfortunate risks in flying is a crash. The typical activities while not on ready alert varied greatlyfrom person to person. The Realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base. In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. 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. 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. 2 talking about this. This is a short video about the small museum located at the decommissioned Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda Mi.http://www.rv-project.com USVCP Staff Writers . Ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan Anyone know the status on this? This happened a couple weeks before the IOC which is in the wing,ahistorical records on microfilm. [6] The 379th Bomb Wing was, Dave Norton resigned his commotion as a United States Air Force, , 1993 exactly 9 years after receiving his commission, Lt. form the United States Air Force Academy. Theyre looking for other divers who can assist with the effort. 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Bert E. Skeel was a WWI pilot who died in an air race in Ohio. Had some issue at Loring Maine where I was stationed from 86-88 and nothing.VA is cricket s on this Richard Stanfill, 12/5/21I was stationed there from 1982 to October of 1985 and lost my left kidney to 3rd stage clear cell carcinoma I never smoked or did drugs. The Wurtsmith Air Force Incident. The Strategic Air Command activated a wing there on August 1, 1958. I served at Wursmith AFB from 1982 to 1989, living in base housing the entire time and drinking the water. In 1932, Capt. On the other hand, the rear-mounted engine offered increased maneuverability since the weight of the plane would be near its center of gravity. 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. ircraft operated from Oscoda Army Airfield. 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. 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. 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. The single enlisted airmen who lived on base were housed in barracks. In a nutshell, this is what were trying to do get permission to relocate the parts so they would resemble a plane, David Losinski said. [2] Another unfortunate occurrence that Happened more than it should have were Court-Martials. 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. At the start of 1985, Wurtsmith maintained an $80 million annual payroll with 3,600 military and civilian personnel. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, a brief history and life on post DISCLAIMER: Information displayed on U.S. Theseplanes would regularly fly missions from Wurtsmith Air Force Base during thecold war. No injuries to the pilot. Hill Housing area-- Wurtsmith Elementary School, Grissom Elementary School, Wagner Middle School, . This cycle was from Wednesday to Wednesday. The aquifer overlies a thick clay layer at an average depth of 65 feet. She has all kinds of problems, my ex died of cancer and I have all kinds of problems. All kind of special chemicals that Boeing told the USAF we had to have. I will try and highlight some of the most interesting aircraft and their stories!. The pilot apparently noticed it and tried to lift his ship. U.S. With this long list of negative effects it is clearly a big health issue for local residents. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. A brief history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base - WAFB 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. 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. In March of 1943, the Third Air Force reactivated the field for training of black aviators. In 1979, the state of Michigan sued the Air Force for the contamination. The former base includes 4,626 acres (1,872 ha) located approximately two miles west of Lake Huron in the Charter Township of Oscoda, bordered by Van Ettan Lake, the Au . Bert E. Skeel in 1924. Its poor high-altitude performance was a result of a critical decision to remove the turbo-supercharger. The Au Sable River is an attraction for families all around Michigan. These mission were into Iraq. The Losinskis havent abandoned their quest to bring this long-forgotten chapter in the history of World War II to light. 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. 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 . Welcome to The WAFB Historical Site dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Wurtsmith Air Force Base and the units assigned there. [5] One crew flew 29, mission out of Jeddah, setting the record for most missions flew by a bomber, crew in theater. 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. 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). [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. [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. Robert Krouse, 12/31/19Stationed at Wurtsmith AFB from 1978 to 1980 and lived in barracks. Mrs. Cecil V. Fowler saw the crash, according to the Times Herald article. They have been detected in air, water, soils, sediments, and in rain at levels that would be considered unsafe in drinking . Our biodegradation . My daughter was born at the base hospital. Only afterthe plains were airborne would the crew be notified if it was a drill or not. 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. Wurtsmith Air Museum - Facebook Cindi developed hypertension and Lawrence diagnosed with lung disease. 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. 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] Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service. distance from the bunker. 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. [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. Military History of the Upper Great Lakes, Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had many, different missions. Weights were 2450 lb. 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 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. This is a very big issue for the people of Oscoda and the surrounding areas for obvious reasons. Peters, Stabenow, Kildee, Slotkin Press | Senator Gary Peters PFOA exposure is also shown to be associated with increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children between ages 12-15. 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. Aircraft rolled 630 feet before nosing over. the first KC-135 in operation Southern Watch. The Losinskis said they want to preserve the site for people to dive on. Their children developed asthma, spinal defects and thyroid problems. Leaking chemical storage tanks and waste disposal operations contaminated soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. A series of stringers were added to the fuselage sides to round out the cross section. It still haunts me today that we had to do that and were told to just follow orders. It excelled in low-altitude ground support as a well-built and reliable aircraft capable of absorbing quite a bit of battle damage. Veteran Compensation Programs. City Picto Map, Clark Air Base / Angeles City. A bomber squadron for example would be sent out to destroy a target and return to its home base within a week. Mapping PFAS Chemical Contamination at 206 U.S. Military Sites In 1942, three 5000x150 concrete runways were built. The Air Force's decline to commit to Michigan's standards is among a litany of frustrations Oscoda residents say they have . They also were known as the Red Tails because they painted the tails of their aircraft red. WAFB began operations in 1923, under the name of Camp Skeel, and was officially named the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in 1953. "It was a city within a city. 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