Most individuals are not educated on what the base did before and after World War II, what is currently happening at this . USVCP Staff Writers . One example of this is autocross racing. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If a banker had not taken Lt. Whitehead on a fishing trip there would not have been an Air Force Base in Oscoda Michigan. This could be from hydrant flushing or a water main break. [5] While the 379thBomb Wing was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base they were part of the ReadyAlert Nuclear Strike Force. 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 ROAM system ensures that aircraft are serviced . Nothing contained herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of a competent Veteran Service Officer (VSO)in good standing and licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. 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. 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. ROME, N.Y. -- There was nothing small-scale about Griffiss Air Force Base in the 1990s. [1] On the first Wednesday the, fresh flight crew would relive the current flight crew in the bunkers. This article is from 2018.. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. [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. If you are interested in any particular aircraft of time period please let me know. [5] The 379th Bomb Wing immediately continued the 4026thStrategic Wing operations and training. WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. More individuals impacted by these chemicals are Cindi and Lawrence Ashbeck. PFOA exposure is also shown to be associated with increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children between ages 12-15. Neither Michigan nor any U.S. officials have conducted a comprehensive study on the contaminants and pollutants under the base. 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. 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. Located in Oscoda, Michigan this base is positioned no more than two miles off the shore of Lake Huron. Theyre looking for other divers who can assist with the effort. WAFB began operations in 1923, under the name of Camp Skeel, and was officially named the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in 1953. [4] On August 1st 1958 the 4026th Strategic Wing was formed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. While these crews were on ready alert they did not have a wholelot to do. The Wurtsmith Air Force Incident. The base was put into a standby status to be there just in case something happened in those areas. 70-77 lived on base housing with family, flight line assistant supervisor. On the other hand, the rear-mounted engine offered increased maneuverability since the weight of the plane would be near its center of gravity. Just run the water until it clears up. Mr. Norton remarked that they were flying the wings off of the planes. One of these places included directly underneath the Oscoda high school. 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. In March of 1943, the Third Air Force reactivated the field for training of black aviators. A new report compiled by a local group, Need Our Water (NOW) and the National Wildlife Federation . 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. Airport History. Before we move on to that, however, it is very much worth examining a very similar incident that occurred over Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan on 30 th October. P-6E, serial number 32-156, 17th Pursuit Squadron from Selfridge Field Michigan. 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. In 1942, three 5000x150 concrete runways were built. Military History of the Upper Great Lakes, Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had many, different missions. China Lake Naval base, California. This happened a couple weeks before the IOC which is in the wing,ahistorical records on microfilm. [4] On August 1st 1958 the 4026th Strategic Wing was formed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. 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. By Steve Elliott 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs. 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. Even studies on fish have been done, where it was found that PFOA is a liver carcinogen in rainbow trout. [2] The flight crashed at 2:20PM while returning from K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula. Drew said, Dad, thats an airplane., You could see the wings. [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. 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. [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. [1] This was further broken down by marital status. The history of Oscoda Military Aviation is the same as the History of the Air Force. I still stay in touch with Gary but do not know if he has an e-mail account. Report also stated that the Oscoda Michigan gunnery field was very rough and sandy and notoriously hard on wheels, landing gears etc. During the Gulf War these planes were run practically 24/7, landing only to swap flight crews to meet the flight crew rest requirements. All the artifacts that were taken off were replaced in their original position and original situation except for the tag we cleaned up, he said. 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 . If you, a friend, or loved one has been injured or died as a result of the contamination at a DOD Superfund Site please follow the steps that are outlined at Get Help. Cindi developed hypertension and Lawrence diagnosed with lung disease. This cycle was from Wednesday to Wednesday. Poison Spring: The Secret History of Pollution and the EPA. U.S. They want the site to remain a memorial divers can visit. Wurtsmith earned recognition during the war as the leader of the group of pilots using P-40 and P-38 fighter . 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. Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had manydifferent missions. This building was like the barracks, but each officer had his own room. They were stationed at the air base from 1986 to 1993. The M&FRC is located at 1550 Wurtsmith St . 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 single officers who lived on base lived in a dorm type building. It excelled in low-altitude ground support as a well-built and reliable aircraft capable of absorbing quite a bit of battle damage. Off Base Housing. http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/wurtsmith_pfas_pfc_april_45_me.html. Now I see this years later. March 7, 1942: The first class of Tuskegee Airmen graduate from U.S. Army Air Force Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. Major Gary Geiger assigned to the 911TH Safety Office with me back in the late 60's or early 70's was a Navitgator on the B-52's assigned to Westover AFB as he used to tell me when we deployed there do not know if he did time at Wurstmith AFB. 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 . Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport became a public airport in 1993. It was criticized for its low service ceiling, its slow rate of climb, and its generally poor high-altitude performance. View All Homes - Homes for Rent 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. This is extremely important because harsh chemicals can negatively impact the future of children and infants as well as the elderly. PORT HURON, Mich. David and Drew Losinski are struck by the coincidence. [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. [ July 4, 2018 ] Grissom Air Force Base, ID Air Force [ May 28, 2018 ] March Air Force Base, CA Air Force [ February 17, 2018 ] Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Navy [ November 5, 2017 ] Fort William D. Davis , Panama Army [ August 28, 2017 ] Naval Air Station Alameda, CA Navy [ March 19, 2016 ] Wurtsmith Air Force Base, MI Air Force [ June 2 . The 5,223-acre Wurtsmith Air Force Base (Wurtsmith AFB) is located on the northeastern part of Michigans lower peninsula. 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. The Wurtsmith Air Force Base, created in 1923, played a large role in WWII. The Arrow Street purge system, installed in 1982 to remove contaminants from the Building 43 plume, has lowered concentrations o 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). Since 1994, the Wurtsmith Air Museum has upheld the mission of preserving the history of the history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base (an integral part of the US Air Force from 1923 until 1993) and aviation in Northeast Michigan. We make no endorsements or recommendations of any VSO, attorney, law firm, claims specialists or organization working with veterans on their service-connected claim(s). He said the wreckage from the plane is scattered across the lake bottom. [1] This includes on base housing, a daycare center for children, a doctors office, a fully equipped gym, and a store where basic necessities were available, military police, office space, and everything necessary to ensure the planes are fully functioning and ready to fly missions. Facebook: Wurtsmith AFB Water Health Issues via water Created to serve as a reference point for former WAFB residents to share information regarding health issues, and probable chemical exposure via base water sources. Here is a list of military bases that are known to have had their drinking water contaminated with PFAS chemicals: Alameda Naval base, California. 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. 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. [1] As soon as the wheels touched down the clock would be reset and they could be sent out on another assignment. My first assignment as a Nuclear Weapons specialist was at wurtsmith where we deployed the AGM 69A SRAM missile system. 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. 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 . I didnt know anything about the Tuskegee Airmen until we got into this.. VA counselor "don't waste your time". These contaminants are harmful to the environment. Heart condition, prostate cancer, diabetic, sometimes confused in making decisions. Photos of P-47s flown by French Pilots at Oscoda.