How in the heck do they know that for sure? We lived in Victorville. I lived in Adelanto from 1977-1978 then I was stationed at George AFB from mid-1978 to June 1981, assigned to the 35th Aero Squadron. September 1, 2022 0 375 Frank Vera stands next to a weapons storage area at the former George Air Force Base in Victorville that houses a prison where immigrant detainees are being held. Homestead Air Force Base. For ants. Flight training continues until the bases closure in 1992. Non-smoker and Non drinker. We use to do our war games and dig foxholes in the desert by the ammo bunkers. I came across this information yesterday 02/11/2022 and read the words My daughter also had all of her intestines on the outside, stomach and part of her liver too. I cant describe the pain I felt reading this and seeing in my mind the birth, of my son. Primer On Federal Facility Compliance With Environmental Laws: Where Do We Go From Here? At 16, I was diagnosed with Coxsackie Virus, which no one had ever heard of. He how ever did not have prostate cancer. Military Poisons February 18, 2020, Toxic Detention: The Trend Of Contamination In The American Immigration System So when I got pregnant in 1985 I was told by the doctor at 4 weeks to not get attached because I was going to lose my baby. He was an aircraft mechanic. She remembered the day she received the results for her two children. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Air Force needs to work to aggressively treat these zones of contamination, Muir said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Use the unsubscribe link in the emails we send to opt out at any time. Attorneys for the government did not respond to a request for comment. The views and opinions expressed on this website belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the U.S. government. The last year I was transferred to the Wheel and Tire Shop. On Aug. 18, U.S. District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips dismissed a 2021 negligence suit filed by the plaintiffs, who lived on or near the former base in Victorville, ruling the federal. I have the following health issues: Low Thyroid (hypothyroidism)and medicated for life, Endometriosis, Uterine and Breast Fibroids, Raynauds Syndrome, Migraines, Osteopenia [Read More], My name is D. G.,I lived at George AFB as a child of an active duty soldier. We of course had no warnings and at that time it was just considered our problem. I have horrible [Read More], My name is Don Barr. Contamination also included medical wastes, construction debris, and various inorganic compounds. My name is William M Sawyer. We agreed to sacrifice our bodies or lay down our lives, if necessary, to protect the country we loved. I am a dependent, so I went to school on base, to the pool, exploring the wide-open range and pretty sure places where I should not have been! By Peter Waldman 1) aircraft from George AFB were involved in nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site and decontaminated at the Adelanto side of the base. Estimated, another 70 years after that, we have the last little tail of it.. (Courtesy of Frank Vera) News: George AFB HTRW, Copyright 2023 - George Air Force Base, CA - Hazardous Toxic and Radioactive Waste (HTRW) - Sitemap, Posted: To watch your loved one slowly die in front of you is difficult, said Tressa Thompto. My grandfather was exposed to gas, grease, mechanic chemicals, fire chemicals, any chemicals that had to do with the [Read More], My name isJoyce B andI lived at 542 Utah & worked (AFB Commissary) on George AFB from 1985 to 1987 with my enlisted husband & two boys. I dont want them to be sick from the natural environment we really have here. The estimate includes labor, maintenance and operations as well as cleanup costs. Beyond Pesticides September 19, 2018, Victorville prison where immigrant detainees held built atop toxic Superfund site ByScott Schwebke My oldest daughter was born there and has had 2 miscarriages and bladder problems. Exposures and Military Bases in the United States How can the DOJ/DOD argue that the Statute of Limitations has expired when rogue employees within the DOD conspired to [Read More], Because all activities supporting the nuclear defense program are highly classified to protect national securityCongress included a provision in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) that requires the DOD to withhold information and records about Special Nuclear Material at its Superfund sites. YouTube: George AFB HTRW I was a F-105 Aircraft Mechanic from 1973 1977 and worked the flight line. Robert J Kenyon I worked at the Base Fire Department from April till the base closed I now have stage four prostrate cancer. Beyond Pesticides September 19, 2018, Victorville prison where immigrant detainees held built atop toxic Superfund site My AFSC was 32833-Electronic Counter Measures Specialist. Like I signed up to be in the USAF.?????? yet assertive representation for our clients. By Jim Fetzer July 26, 2013, The view from being thrown under the bus The contaminants at the base caused significant harm to the base personnel and those living nearby, including some families who have lost up to seven children due to repeated and prolonged exposure to the numerous toxins. So far I have had Gallbladder issues, finally removal, and also liver problems. Then I was stationed Kunsan, Korea 1985 to 1986. I am also hypothyroid diagnosed just after retirement from the Air Force in 1995. Thank you. Could this be a result of living in dorms so close to flight line? The Air Force started replacing the original firefighting foam with a new, environmentally responsible firefighting foam in August 2016. The current hypothesis is that I have [Read More], My name is Brigitte Leehr (Jones), I lived on George AFB from 1976 1979. I had migraines, but I thought it was from the stress of losing the babies. I was stationed at George AFB from 1980 through 1983 and from 1988 through 1991, base closing was in discussion at the time. I lived there from 83 to 91, at 238 Oregon St. I/m 36 years of age and suffer from equilibrium/balance issues. According to EPA records, an unsafe level of contamination still exists on some areas of the base. She later was diagnosed with breast cancer and gynecological issues. A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he was previously a breaking news and multimedia reporter for the Ogden, Utah, Standard-Examiner. Tommy Jacobs, My dad was stationed there GAFB in 70 73, I was 13 and up. We married April 1983, moved into Base Housing on Utah street near her old place. ByScott Schwebke Three drinking water wells serving the entire tradeport tested positive for PFAS, and one in particular tested at levels more than 12.5 times above the EPA provisional health advisory. The Daily Press September 1, 1985, Frank Vera Air Force acknowledged that it routinely withheld classified information and records about Buried Radioactive Weapons Maintenance Waste at its [Read More], The term 91(b) refers to highly classified radioactive material (RAM) covered under Section 91(b) of the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) of 1954 associated with current nuclear weapons material, legacy nuclear weapons maintenance wastes, residuals from nuclear weapons accident/incidents, some residuals from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons, and residuals from nuclear reactor operations. I was stationed there early 80s and had horrible knock out migraines. Wall Street Journal June 2, 2003, News Nuke Waste Toughens Closings I wanted to bury my babybut was encouraged to donate [Read More]. By: Tara Copp Source: CA State Water Resources Control Board, Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM) / Friable Asbestos, Aviation [Avgas], Benzene, Chlordane, Diesel, Explosives (UXO, MEC) [Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) / Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC)], Gasoline, Heating Oil / Fuel Oil, MTBE / TBA / Other Fuel Oxygenates, Munitions Debris (MD), Nitrate, Other Insecticides [Aldrin / Dieldrin] / Pesticide / Fumigants / Herbicides, Other Petroleum, Other Solvent Or Non-Petroleum Hydrocarbon, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Radioactive Isotopes, Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), Toluene, Trichloroethylene (TCE), Vinyl Chloride, Waste Oil / Motor / Hydraulic / Lubricating, Xylene, Without Determination As To Contamination Allegations, Judge Dismisses George AFB Lawsuit I remember George AFB as one of the best times of my life. 1901-1912 Atomic Energy Act, [Read More], Re: Robert Anderson, et al v. The United States of America 2:21-cv-09102-VAP-PD Dear Senators Feinstein and Padilla, We represent individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by our Nations failure to warn them of the dangers of exposure to hazardous materials and waste while they lived and/or worked on the former George Air Force Base. The following is a list of federal environmental crimes that were most likely violated at George AFB. I lived in the old WWII [Read More], My name is JoAnn Long. AFC 60551. Pollution caused by facilities owned or operated by various federal [Read More], ABSTRACT: The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980 was enacted to address the serious problem of hazardous waste contamination in the United States. As of August, the DOD had yet to complete testing for PFAS at more than 200 bases. By: Tara Copp By Amy Wallace January 22, 2014 |, Legacy Nuclear Weapons Maintenance Wastes, some families who have lost up to seven children, George AFBs Public Health Assessment (PHA), George AFBs Atmospheric Nuclear Weapons Testing Decontamination Centers, George AFBs Organochlorine Pesticides Contamination, George AFBs Lead Based Paint Contamination, George AFBs Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) PFAS, An open letter from the Gomez Trial Attorneys to Senators Feinstein and Padilla. As part of my training I put out fires in the burn [Read More], My name is Yvette Allen, I lived on George as a dependent from 1973 to 1982 we lived on Montana Street we drank plenty of water, played in the dirt and took lots and lots of baths in that water. In 1990, the base was added to the EPAs Superfund list. From 1941 to 1992 (51 years), approximately 100,000 people were potentially exposed to unsafe levels of hazardous, toxic, and radioactive materials on and around George AFB. The SEDA is about a mile upstream of the drinking and irrigation water supply wells for [Read More], In 1991, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) pleaded guilty to defrauding the government by falsifying testing of samples at DoD Superfund sites. But 25 years later, the water still is contaminated. By Dan Ross I think its crazy that pretty much the whole time Ive lived out here, approximately 12 years, Ive been drinking bad water, said Martha Grall, an Airway Heights resident. And we lost a child to anencephaly. Wall Street Journal June 2, 2003, News Nuke Waste Toughens Closings Read more Environmental Activities The Air Force has been working to clean up the former George Air Force Base since 1981, spending over $113 million to rid the ground and two aquifers of jet fuel, solvents, and pesticides. She has fibromyalgia, scoliosis and problems with her left eye. This requirement creates a unique set of problems for the DOD; Federal, State, and Local regulators when trying [Read More], The Air Force has acknowledged that large amounts of trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE/PERC), benzene, and petroleum hydrocarbons (Free Product) were improperly disposed of at the former George Air Force Base, CA, EPA Superfund ID: CA2570024453. [Read More], We enlisted or were commissioned in the military to protect the United States. My dad was stationed at George AFB from 1983 to 1989 my dad was an SP, and then he cross trained to Training Management after his back problem got too much for him. My dad retired when I was in my early 20s. It is important that you roughly follow the format that others have used so that reporters can quickly orient themselves. He also had hearing issues which I attribute to jet fuel and engine noise. I have fibroids. I [Read More], My name is Rachel Grasty-Sheehan. We would lower the bearings into this large. By: Michael Waters By Corinne Roels, Briana Smith and Adrienne St. Clair The DOD and the Air Force failed to test for these organochlorine pesticides except at the Base Family . And both my parents died from massive coronaries. Our marriage did not survive the trauma. My husband then was Master Sgt. Its a Catch-22 because were at the forefront of all the bases, said Dalton. By Scott Schwebke and Beau Yarbrough While at Lackland getting fixed we saw our old neighbors whose daughter LaShawn V. [Read More], My father (Msgt. Was told I couldnt get pregnant. Known carcinogens and respiratory sensitizers were released into the atmosphere and poseboth acute and chronic health hazards to civilians, [Read More], If you were a child that lived or went to daycare/school on George AFB, before 1978, you were probably exposed to unsafe levels of lead-based paint (LBP). They knew the harm it would possibly cause us., I drank gallons and gallons of water because it was the desert, he said. They brought in a large Trichlorethylene tank in order to clean wheel bearings that came off the wheels of the F-4. I was stationed at George AFB from 1982 to 1989, assigned to the 37th CRS Squadron and then the 35th CRS Squadron. George Air Force Base in California: decaying structures, apocalyptic Please help me I have been struggling with fibroid fibromyalgia and all kinds of internal issues with my kidneys I had a miscarriage back in 2007 I lived in San Bernardino but I frequent it Victorville where my friend and hair client work and live near the base I dont know how but I was just up this morning I wasnt looking for anything and this just fell in my lap literally God brought me this page I dont even know how I could get some of the cross the page but I have literally been suffering for the last 12 years with this condition been back and forth to a doctor when trying to get clean and things have been rescheduled things have been canceled by my doctor thankfully I found this page and I was just like oh my God I live in San Bernardino going to have a miscarriage at this time and didnt with all around that area if it all possible do you have the name of a lawyer because I did I was not a military personnel but I did hang around in that area any information you give me would be greatly helpful Ive been suffering with this condition for so long till I dont even remember Wynn but I know it started right around that time 2007 and I was recently married and the second time I got pregnant after that we had moved so far away from there but there are so many hot spots all through San Bernardino Fontana Rialto Riverside its a map that covers that math area and there are so many people who are suffering from the same conditions that I know of that lived in that area till its bad I just really did not know that this was possible I kind of thought it was some kind of a chemical imbalance but I couldnt tell what it really was I have had three healthy children but I live in Los Angeles prior in Pasadena and absolutely nothing happened I was healthy I carry those babies to turn and delivered that next pregnancy where I had the miscarriage its all on record and it was the most horrendous thing that ever happened to me right after I moved to San Bernardino. I was stationed at George from 88 until it closed. SHARE At least 18 people, most of whom are military dependents, allege in recently filed federal claims they suffer from leukemia, Parkinson's disease and other serious ailments as a result of. I was, assigned to the 831 Security Police Squadron and my Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was 81150 and worked in the Security Police, Armory, LE Desk, Flight Line shop/building/areas. by Venturi Crooks was exposed to the chemical nearly 40 years ago, but Muir said a pesticide plume is among Georges biggest contamination problems even now. I was a crew chief on F4 Phantoms. If you, a friend, or a loved one have been injured or have passed away due to exposure to contamination at a DOD Superfund Site, please follow the steps outlined on the "Get Help" page. I have suffered from post anterior subcapsular cataracts and thyroid nodules, both side affects of ionizing radiation. I was exposed to TCE, Benzenes, Exhaust fumes, and many other toxicants over the years while I was stationed. Jamestown, CA,95327-1313, Phone: 209-782-4541 3. I was stationed at George AFB from 1976 through 1979 and was assigned to the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 563rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, and the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. I lived in the dorm across from the BX and showered and drank the water at the dorm and while at work. The courts order demonstrates how difficult it is to get justice on behalf of military families who have suffered harm from toxic contamination while living on a military installation, he added. This is why we were issued a radiation dosimeter badge; While we still have our home base in Florida, Superfund Sites Identified by EPA to have PFAS Contamination - Senate 2009). Entering the Air Force, I was physically healthy with no disqualifying defects; reasonably intelligent (Scored a 98 with a category I on the Armed Forces Qualification Test AFQT); of good moral character (Passed an EBI security clearance, Top Secret Clearance); and was nuke qualified. Nobody else has them at all. I was stationed a George AFB from 1967 to until my discharge in 1968. Jimmy Williams speaks with Adrienne St. Clair I have tried to get compensation sine 2006 to no avail. Public Integrity doesnt have paywalls and doesnt accept advertising so that our investigative reporting can have the widest possible impact on addressing inequality in the U.S. Our work is possible thanks to support from people like you. Did the Air Force supply contaminated water to Adelanto and George AFB? The stuff was smoking, but not on fire, from the chemicals, toxicity. I lived on George Air Force Base as a child from 1980 to 1984 and have tons of the listed ailments and my family does as well. George Air Force Base Victorville CA - Civilian Exposure 35th TFW 20th AMU as a Crew Chief. In 2008, Vera created a website, Georgeafb.info, which started out as an information repository to keep his records and documents. We were married and stayed in the same Base Housing from 1983 to 1985. Additionally, women have told the Southern California News Group that Air Force doctors urged them not to get pregnant while living at George, leading some of them to believe they and their fetuses could be in danger from toxic exposure at the base. I shake so bad that I [Read More], I was stationed at George AFB from 1979-82 and I was a firefighter. This is WRONG. Im building nuclear weapons. The main mission of the base was to support and train tactile fighters and air crews. We lived in Victorville, I believe it was Hesperia Rd. George AFB was officially decommissioned in December 1992. By Dan Ross She recalled the unsettling memory of pesticides being sprayed on her home, leaving yellow stains on the walls and on their clothes. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida.