The plane was equipped with the cannon and four .50-caliber machine guns two mounted on the wings, two more just behind the propeller and timed to fire through the spinning blades. Airplane nosed over when landing gear tire casing failed, locking the right wheel. Because of the restriction of being close to the Christmas tree theyresorted to playing cards, working out, reading, and sleeping while they werenot conducting recurrent training to stay up to date and proficient on theirequipment. .. did this bill die in the committee s? By Steve Elliott 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs. [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 base is influential in Michigan, as well as the United States military history. USVCP Staff Writers . Wurtsmith Air Force base was one of five, northern tier bases in the Strategic Air Commands arsenal. The Wurtsmith Air Force Base, created in 1923, played a large role in WWII. [1], The northern tier Strategic Air Command Ready Alert Strike Force bases were considered less than desirable duty stations for one main reason. My son, was born on the base, has a malformed aorta and congenital nerve damage hearing loss. Veteran Compensation Programs. Traci Kroushour, an Oscoda resident until the age of 12, had her uterus removed at the age of 28 and can never have children. He said the wreckage from the plane is scattered across the lake bottom. This remoteness of Wurtsmith Air Force Base, as well as common brotherhood of being in the United States Air Force resulted in a tight knit community formed by the airmen and their families. 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. 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. In fact the only time B-52s would travel was for training missions, or actually delivering ordinance to its target. An unusual feature of the P-39 Airacobra was the automobile-type doors that had roll-down windows on each side of the cockpit. In 1942, three 5000x150 concrete runways were built. [3], [1] Dave Norton, Former United States Air Force Captain, interviewed on 23 OCT 2017, [2] Ap. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. Because of the economic impact of Wurtsmith Air Force Base the community was generally supportive of the airmen, and the base itself. 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. The cockpit canopy offered exceptional all-round visibility for the pilot. Welcome to The WAFB Historical Site dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Wurtsmith Air Force Base and the units assigned there. Within a few days, a mere 28 Airmen established housing for over 400 personnel, replete with . This is a very big issue for the people of Oscoda and the surrounding areas for obvious reasons. After a trip to the Boneyard in September 2019, hundreds of current and vintage photos are being sorted, scanned and uploaded. Deliveries of the first P-6s were late, the first example not appearing until October 1929. The letter never said what I was objecting to, but that I was refusing to for a lawful order. [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 4026th was a SAC Major Command controlled (MAJCON) wing that had been organized on 1 August 1958. These Air Force bases were remote. Published August 24, 2021 at 4:15 PM EDT. [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. [5] The B-52s did not get to travel nearly as much as the KC-135s. The site of Wurtsmith Air Force Base is located 2 miles Northwest of Oscoda, Michigan, about 150 miles North of Detroit. Robert Krouse, 12/31/19Stationed at Wurtsmith AFB from 1978 to 1980 and lived in barracks. 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. I worked on the flight line. It was also possible for these missions to originate in the United States. These bases were, responsible for a housing a Ready Alert Nuclear Strike Force. 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. Im slowly working my way up from 1924 to the present. 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. The result was an airplane which had a much deeper and broader fuselage than did the P-1. The 1st Combat Evaluation Group (initially "1CEG", later "1CEVG") was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit. This resulted in KC-135 squadrons spending a greater amount of time on temporary duty assignments than other squadrons from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. The EPA Superfund Contaminants of Concern Update of June 3, 2016 lists all the same contaminants listed in 38-3307(7)(i) as it relates to USMC Camp Lejeune water contaminants. In 1979, the state of Michigan sued the Air Force for the contamination. At this time Wurtsmith Air Force Base was still part of theStrategic Air Commands bomber fleet. This includes extra parts, munitions, fuel, and flight crews. 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. During those efforts, they noted several areas they wanted to investigate, including one about four miles north of the Blue Water Bridge. By comparing the concentrations of known fluorosurfactants with the total organofluorine, less than 10% of the fluorosurfactants were identified in half of the samples. We offer visitors three hangars full of military (all branches) and aviation history, static aircraft displays, artifacts, equipment and lots of WAFB memorabilia. [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. 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. It was the most horrible thing I have ever witnessed, she said. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force base in Iosco County, Michigan.It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. We didnt know really what we had.. [1] On the first Wednesday the, fresh flight crew would relive the current flight crew in the bunkers. This weapon system used some hazardous and a lot of special chemicals to support it. With all of this in a single family, the V.A. Most Air Corps/Force types used Oscoda at one time or another. Wurtsmith Air Force base (Oscoda), Michigan; PFAS Water Contamination Map . I still stay in touch with Gary but do not know if he has an e-mail account. 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 . There is no amount of PFOA that is officially recognized as harmful. However, many studies have shown otherwise. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. 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. In addition, the rear fuselage was deepened in order that it could faire cleanly into the bottom of the radiator. The Strategic Air Command activated a wing there on August 1, 1958. [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. 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). At this time, the camp was renamed and the airfield was under III Fighter Command jurisdiction. There are many historical planes you can visit as well as other interesting pieces of history that the public may view. Once we brought that up and cleaned the tag, we knew it was the 221226 serial number.. Wurtsmith Air Force base was one of fivenorthern tier bases in the Strategic Air Commands arsenal. There is a lot of open runways still today that can be rented out for a multitude of events. She gave Kelly the rundown of the base. Wurtsmith AirForce Base was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this. Bert E. Skeel in 1924. distance from the bunker. But these days, the county is becoming a haven for retired people such as the Kuhlmans . 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. [5] However, the B-52H aircraft maintained nuclear alert at WurtsmithAir Force Base. P-6E, serial number 32-156, 17th Pursuit Squadron from Selfridge Field Michigan. 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. Wurtsmith Air, Force Base was constructed with a runway layout specifically for this. While the vast majority of personnel on Wurtsmith Air, Force Base were not part of a flight crew rotating through ready alert, their, respective jobs all served to ensure those planes could take off at a moments, notice. It has recently been discovered that that the base has been leaking chemicals into the surrounding waterways. the first KC-135 in operation Southern Watch. 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. She also has many other irregular health problems including bone death, fibromyalgia, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal problems, and underdeveloped reproductive organs. With this long list of negative effects it is clearly a big health issue for local residents. 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. [1] The KC-135s had many more opportunities to travel because they would fly in support of any craft capable of refueling in flight. It is primarily a large jet airplane salvage, jet engine maintenance and light general aviation . I have had many other health issues since and have recently found all of this. 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. A total 9589 Airacobras were built before production finally ended on July 25, 1944. 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. On May 9, 1961, the base took delivery of its first new Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress, The State of Michigan. 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. There were frequently extremely large and loud airplanes taxiing, taking off, and landing in the base. He was stationed at the base. 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. [1], As new technologies and mission goals evolved with time the need for the Strategic Air Commands need for the northern tier became obsolete. Service ceiling 27,200 feet, and range was 260 miles. [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 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 P-6 Hawk (1932-1937) Aircraft was @ Oscoda. 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. The Air Force's decline to commit to Michigan's standards is among a litany of frustrations Oscoda residents say they have . This is very dear to my heart and want to get involved however I can. 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 It was also possible for these missions to originate in the United States. ircraft operated from Oscoda Army Airfield. [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. Even studies on fish have been done, where it was found that PFOA is a liver carcinogen in rainbow trout. 1946. 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. Pieces include the engine, the tail, part of the door and the 37-millimeter cannon that fired through the propeller hub. [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. [1] This includes on base housing, a daycare center for children, a doctor's office, a . Eielson Air Force base, Alaska. The P-6 was generally similar to the P-1 in construction and appearance. If a banker had not taken Lt. Whitehead on a fishing trip there would not have been an Air Force Base in Oscoda Michigan. 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 . 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. My symptoms looking back were insidious with weakness and muscle fasciculations. [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]. The last was delivered in December 1930. [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. During World War II, P-47 fighters were assigned to Oscoda. If there's a main break, sections of the base will . Wurtsmith got its start in 1923 as Loud-Reames Aviation Field, a soft-surface landing site for Arm Air Corps aircraft from Selfridge Field. 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). [1] Mr. Norton also landed. [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. Wurtsmith AFB has a better paper trail showing irrefutable evidence of contamination of the base drinking water with Trichloroethelene (TCE) first discovered in 1977 as a result of a complaint from a base housing resident. Members of the Tuskegee Airmen, trained at Oscoda for several weeks and stayed on the base. These contaminants are harmful to the environment. [1]After one week in the bunker on ready alert the flight crew would be relieved. The armament of the P-1 was a pair of 0.30 cal machine guns mounted in the upper fuselage decking inside the V-cylinder blocks and synchronized to fire through the propeller arc. My first assignment as a Nuclear Weapons specialist was at wurtsmith where we deployed the AGM 69A SRAM missile system. The average person has around 3 or 4 parts per billion of these chemicals present in their blood. Airport History. Over the 50 years of operation Wurtsmith Air Force Base had manydifferent missions. The Au Sable River is an attraction for families all around Michigan. The brown tint is (mostly) caused by scale build up in the pipes being knocked loose. At the time, George was a hub of F-4 Phantom fighter jets and OV-10 Bronco reconnaissance planes. Click on a marker for base information. No injuries to the pilot. The Air Force says, Any aircraft before 1961, weve abandoned it.. All Rights Reserved. Today, the Wurtsmith Air Force Base has a museum where you can learn about its history. Typically, brown-ish water occurs when there is large change in pressure/flow in a distribution system. One of these places included directly underneath the Oscoda high school. Lee N. 2023 Aspyre Media Group, LLC. 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. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is said to have originally started with a fishing trip between two men. This gave the Army operations the opportunity to begin creating the base we know today. In 1960 it became part of the Strategic Air Command . The story stated Moody and three other pilots were taking gunnery practice about three miles north of Port Huron. [1], While Wurtsmith Air Force Base was its own little town, it was segregated by officers and enlisted. Mrs. Cecil V. Fowler saw the crash, according to the Times Herald article. 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. 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. Off Base Housing. 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. Drinking Water At Wurtsmith AFB Contaminted. I served at Wurtsmith from 1974-1977 my whole family has suffered from various ongoing ailments. History. The airplane operated on a flight from Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport, MI to Oscoda-Wurtsmith AFB, MI (OSC). The study doesn't estimate past concentrations or exposure dosage and was released with . WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. This, flight crew would spend one week in the bunker and be confined to an undisclosed. DISCLAIMER: Information displayed on U.S. [1] This was further broken down by marital status. 1942 -- Camp Skeel is renamed Oscoda Army Air Field and becomes a P-47 fighter base. Wurtsmith Air Force Base has been an integral part of the United States Air Force from the 1920's to June 3rd 1993. .
wurtsmith air force base housing