The site of wurtsmith air force base is located 2 miles northwest of oscoda, michigan, about 150 miles north of detroit. Sawyer air force base in michigans upper peninsula, said staff sgt. The base provided kc5 tankers and crews for the vietnam war from 1965 to 1975 and bomber crews from 1970 to 1975. Wurtsmith air force base is a decommissioned united states air force base in northeastern iosco county in the u. Michigan air force crews flew nuclear bombs around during. In 2012, the michigan department of health and human services mdhhs issued a do not eat fish advisory for all fish caught from clarks marsh and for resident fish in the lower au sable river, south of the former wurtsmith air force base. Mar 24, 2021 since its establishment in 1923, wurtsmith played an important role in world war ii, vietnam, and the persian gulf war, hosting the 4th army air force base fighter unit and 379th bombardment wing, respectively.
The museums exhibits are extensive and incredibly highquality including several aircraft that can be examined up close. This group is a way for anyone who was stationed at wurtsmith air force base, oscoda, michigan to reconnect with old friends and tell their stories. The 379th air expeditionary wing is a provisional united states air force unit assigned to air combat command. Wurtsmith was selected for closure under the 1991 base realignment and closure decision and was officially closed on june 30, 1993. 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. You asked for it, and we have responding to your comments and have added the guest book for you to post your comments about this site for all of our visitors to see. Was taught how to plow snow, and became a shift leader as a a1c, enjoyed the summers and fall in the great state michigan. Oscoda army airfield, 1943 wurtsmith air force base is a decommissioned united states air force base in iosco county, michigan. Wurtsmith air force base, mi dod base family housing. Got married there and lived in base housing on tennessee st. Delivered to the usaf on 10 march 1959 as a kc5a, port wing damaged in october 1985 during refuelling at wurtsmith afb mi. The wurtsmith air museum is an allvolunteer, 501c3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to preserving the history of wurtsmith air force base and aviation in northeastern michigan.
Wurtsmith earned recognition during the war as the leader of the group of pilots using p40 and p38 fighter aircraft to defend australian cities against enemy attacks. Wurtsmith afb was deemed one of the unnecessary military bases around the united states and was closed. The 3m company was the sole supplier from roughly 1967 to 1973. Even though they were busy, we were given a private tour and learned so much. Wurtsmith got its start in 1923 as loudreames aviation field, a softsurface landing site for army air corps aircraft from selfridge field. These ground tests are conducted in numerous locations in or near the flight line at. The wurtsmith base conversion authority wbca was initially the redevelopment authority. Today, the wurtsmith air museum works to preserve the history of the men and women that. The 5,223acre wurtsmith air force base wurtsmith afb is located on. The 379th bombardment group was in activation for only 2 years, 7 months, and 29 days. From humble beginnings in the 1920s 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 countrys military history.
Pfas response former wurtsmith air force base, iosco county. The warbler was an unofficial publication of the wurtsmith officers wives club, wurtsmith afb, michigan 48753. Former wurtsmith air force base, restoration advisory board meeting apr. Before it was wurtsmith, camp skeel fliers used the ice as a runway. 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.
Apr 11, 2021 the wurtsmith air museum is an allvolunteer, 501c3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to preserving the history of wurtsmith air force base and aviation in northeastern michigan. The wings were going up and down, said the crew chief of a nearby b52 bomber. Since its establishment in 1923, wurtsmith played an important role in world war ii, vietnam and the persian gulf war, hosting the 4th army air force base fighter unit and 379th bombardment wing respectively. Wurtsmith air force base sighting official nicap web site. When my brothers and sisters and i get together, we always comment on our best and favorite memories at wurtsmith. Wurtsmith air force bases afb aircrews were among those who answered the. Restoration advisory board meeting at former wurtsmith air force base january 20, 2021.
Was checked for radioactivity and some parts were removed. A kc5 stratotanker used to refuel other planes went down at 2. 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. What you glean from this book will depend on who you are, but i think theres. After 1973 and until wurtsmith air force base officially closed june 30, 1993, any three of the approved chemical manufactures could have made the firefighter foam constituents found in the former wurtsmith air force base aquifer today.
The 5,223acre wurtsmith air force base wurtsmith afb is located on the northeastern part of michigans lower peninsula. Whitehead on a fishing trip there would not have been an air force base in oscoda michigan. It was builtin 1923 as a soft landing site for airplanes flying from selfridge army air base near detroit. Wurtsmith afb and its contamination military history of. As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time. Wurtsmith air force base, michigan alumni public group. For current hours, questions, and contact info please visit our face book page. Wurtsmith air museum museums 4071 e van ettan st, oscoda. Former wurtsmith air force base, restoration advisory. It serves as the home base for the 40th air division and the 379th bomb wing. The kc5 site, wurtsmith air force base wafb, oscoda, michigan. Oct 21, 2017 wurtsmith air force base has been an integral part of the united states air force from the 1920s to june 3rd 1993. The wurtsmith afb aquifer below the cold war battlefield.
Wurtsmith air force base military history of the upper. Army air corps training flights to camp skeel near oscoda prior to world war ii. An air force tanker plane crashed tuesday afternoon at wurtsmith air force base, killing six people and injuring 10 others, authorities said. Aircraft was retrieved from department of energy, albuquerque, new mexico. The wurtsmith air museum is an allvolunteer, 501c3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to preserving the history of wurtsmith air force base and aviation in. Wurtsmith air force base news newspapers books scholar jstor. He the pilot tried to land but the plane was rocking back and forth. They were living on wurtsmith air force base afb, michigan, where his father was a captain in the united states air force and b52g aircraft commander. For all of you who were stationed at wafb, please include your organizational affiliation and the years that you were stationed at wafb.
Survivors mark 40th anniversary of air force kc5 crash. After all of that great history, the wurtsmith air force base is still standing as a place that is visited by a plethora of people. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. The 4026th was a sac major command controlled majcon wing that had been organized on 1 august 1958. The great, friendly staff makes excellent use of every square inch of the many rooms inside.
We offer visitors three hangars full of military all branches and aviation history, static aircraft displays, artifacts, equipment and lots of wafb memorabilia. These ground tests are conducted in numerous locations in or near the flight line at edwards air force base, california. During the cold war, it was one of three strategic air command sac bases in michigan with the b52 bomber, the others kincheloe, sawyer were in the upper peninsula. To wurtsmith air museum, oscoda wurtsmith airport formerly wurtsmith afb, oscoda, mi.
As previously stated, there is a museum open to the public which has artifacts and information on the bases history. Since its establishment in 1923, wurtsmith played an important role in world war ii, vietnam, and the persian gulf war, hosting the 4th army air force base fighter unit and 379th bombardment wing, respectively. Wurtsmith air force base, michigan alumni public group facebook. Gen wurtsmith bio our heritage 40th air division 379th bombardment wing 524th. Main gate wafb history base dedication wafb timeline maj. A brief history of wurtsmith air force base the site of wurtsmith air force base is located 2 miles northwest of oscoda, michigan, about 150 miles north of detroit. Wurtsmith air force base, a brief history and life on post. 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.
I am a member of the wurtsmith air museum but traveled from virginia this summer to spend time in the museum. Wurtsmith air force base has been an integral part of the united states air force from the 1920s to june 3rd 1993. Sawyer air force base, located in michigans upper peninsula, to offutt air force base in. All the displays were of high quality and very informative. The wbca terminated september 30, 1994, and the township of oscoda became the the redevelopment authority effective october 1, 1994. Origins before this airfield became known as wurtsmith air force base it was called loudreames aviation field. Former wurtsmith afb virtual rab, january 20, 2021 youtube. Information about the kc5 crash at wurtsmith in 1988 kalitta air history. There is a lot of open runways still today that can be rented out for a multitude of events. Wurtsmith air force base, a brief history and life on post published 21 october 2017 by will norton wurtsmith air force base has been an integral part of the united states air force from the 1920s to june 3rd 1993. United states air force historical research center. Keeping wurtsmith afb and aviation history of ne mi alive opens on armed forces day in may, hosts a welcome home weekend the end of june, a golf classic in july, and a flyin in midaugust. The last b52 left the site of wurtsmith air force base in july of 1993. I lived at wurtsmith afb from 1969 to 1971 on massachusetts street.
May 28, 2020 state officials last year too quietly, some contend expanded hunting and fishing restrictions at clarks marsh, near the former wurtsmith air force base in oscoda, after scientific studies. It operated from 1923 until decommissioned in 1993. In this ongoing historical feature, highlighting snapshots of the former base, we will talk about how the. Senator for michigan, gary peters, left, introduces john w. I wanted to graduate with my class in 1972, but the military moved us elsewhere. They had to fight cold winter days and battle the cold temperatures to get the engines started. Oscoda before it was known as the wurtsmith air force base, the military facility had a variety of. This book recounts their journey from their individual points of view, shaped by their own biases and choices, while serving mitchell for three decades as a profoundly handicapped person. It is obvious the staff is very passionate about the museum. Veterans who drank poison in oscoda are getting a second look. Restrictions expanded near former wurtsmith air base after. Sep 27, 2016 a united press international story at the time reported the kc5 stratotanker was en route from k. The book provides a ready reference for basic information on active usaf. This article incorporates public domain material from the air force historical research agency website.
Books on local history, 1880 birds eye map, history video. Oct 11, 2015 origins before this airfield became known as wurtsmith air force base it was called loudreames aviation field. Former wurtsmith afb community relations plan, appendix e press release first official rab meeting oct. Nov 17, 2017 after all of that great history, the wurtsmith air force base is still standing as a place that is visited by a plethora of people. From humble beginnings in the 1920s 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. However, his life was altered forever when his mother drank a supposedly innocuous glass of water during the first trimester of her pregnancy. Wurtsmith air force base is a decommissioned united states air force base in iosco county. Wurtsmith air museum oscoda 2021 all you need to know. Air force uniforms guide history of air force uniforms military ranks, military service, military. Air force plane crash sends shock waves through air force base. Contaminated site at the wurtsmith, air force base, oscoda, michigan. Former wurtsmith air force base, restoration advisory board. Mdhhs former wurtsmith air force base, iosco county. 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 sable state forest.
Wurtsmith air force base project gutenberg selfpublishing. In 2012, the michigan department of health and human services mdhhs issued a do not eat fish advisory for all fish caught from clarks marsh and for. Squadrons and flights air force historical research agency. Bases and facilities with significant current or historical u. Ironically, wurtsmith died in 1946 in an airplane crash on a routine flight of a b25 bomber. For information concerning air national guard organizations 101 299, please visit the air national guard history website. It operated throughout world war ii and became a permanent installation in 1951. Welcome to the wafb historical site dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of wurtsmith air force base and the units assigned there. However before they etch their place history books, these aircraft undergo hours of ground tests. Wurtsmith afb and its contamination military history of the. From november 26, 1942, at gowen field, boise, idaho, until july 25, 1945, at casa blanca, africa.
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