It is approximately 488 km A solution by Congress may be the best approach, some attorneys and veterans advocates say. Military personnel were able to obtain undiluted versions of 2,4,5-T, which contained even higher levels of TCDD than Agent Orange. Shannon lives in Orlando with her husband and two sons. If you believe you were exposed to Agent Orange in service, are suffering from one or more of the associated health conditions, and have been denied VA disability benefits, seek help now. To view this webinar CLICK HERE. Typically, the VA looks for evidence of duty near base perimeters or fence lines to establish herbicide exposure. WebAgent Orange is a highly toxic, deadly chemical that is a known carcinogen. This was the last multi-crew loss of the Vietnam War. B-52 Ramp and Asset Perimeter Wires at U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 9 - driving Munitions Storage area at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Weapon U.S. Air Force Veteranswho served on Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. She enjoyed practicing land use and environmental law for several years after law school but felt called to serve our veteran population and changed her practice area to veterans disability law. Army Veteran who served on a Royal Thai Air Force Base who affirmatively state that they were involved with perimeter security duty as long as there is additional evidence to corroborate their statement. 7. While Agent Orange was burned at sea after the war, another rainbow herbicide of the Vietnam War era called Agent Blue, could not be burned disposed of via incineration due to its high concentration of arsenic. Webacknowledges the use of tactical herbicides (Agent Orange) on Thai Royal Air Force Bases and Thai Army Bases. Agent Orange is an herbicide that was used to defoliate the thick jungle in Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, such as the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Questions sent to the offices of Portman and U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton. In order to show a service connection between your disability(ies) and your active duty service, you must show an in-service event that documents your claim. But if you did not serve in Vietnam, you still could have been exposed to herbicides such as Agent Orange and get service connected for Agent-Orange related disabilities. Designing Lanyards for Corporate Events: Dos and Donts, Unlock The Benefits Of Stabilized Binoculars: Discover Why You May Need Them And Which Ones Are Best For You. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Subsequently in 1967 the Dow Chemical Company, a manufacturer of Agent Orange, was awarded a Department of Defense research contract. xr7]Uy#Ru!M+dco78@UmR@/4ve2>Ng7_?|bv=\|^OQmwgU+ His living quarters were also close to a base perimeter, he recalled. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. The documents show that herbicide shipments not associated with Rancho Hand were sent to and from Thailand. perimeter near the Weapons Storage and Maintenance facility at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Munitions Design a site like this with WordPress.com, best map of the base layout at Ubon RTAFB, Citation Nr: 0714102 Decision Date: 05/11/07 Archive Date: 05/25/07 DOCKET NO. In November 1992, the Joint Task Force for Full Accounting was able to conduct an archeological excavation of the BARON 52 crash site and recovered partial remains of several individuals. yet assertive representation for our clients. ! All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. My sense is these bills have a chance, but I just dont know how good a chance, attorney Chisholm said. Agent Orange in Thailand - DAV <> Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. If youre a veteran who served perimeter duty on a U.S. Army installation in Thailand or on Royal Thai Air Force bases in Thailand, including U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, or Don Muang;and you have a medical condition you believe is linked to Agent Orange exposure, contact Cuddigan Law. Weband evacuation missions. Southeast Asias first F-4C Phantom II unit was formed in 1971 when the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron was formed. This same presumption exists for those who served in the Korean demilitarized zone between September 1, 1967 and August 31, 1971. Being stationed in Millions are suffering from mental illness, exacerbated by the pandemic. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. On February 5, 1973, an EC-47Q electronic warfare collection aircraft tail number 43-48636, While the DOD has confirmed that Agent Orange was sprayed in the areas listed in the section above, the VA does not automatically grant service connection for exposure to Agent Orange in these areas. Shannon is the daughter of a U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant and a high school English teacher and was born on MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida. This distinction is frequently used by the VA to deny Thailand exposure claims. Agent Orange in Thailand Several reports show that Agent Orange and other herbicides were used and stored on numerous Royal Thai Air Force Bases (RTAFB) during the Vietnam War. /X!`h8 p'Dwa.6jl(".l']qG":N"|{uM/ /;Cplh8;F>qy=P)5*!TIR=\.Cn V}9gp3:(gZ5xeB*gI Filing an eClaim for VA disability compensation is the fastest way to get your VA compensation claim processed. I will continue the fight to get benefits for all veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals regardless of where they served.. Air Force officials concluded that based on the evidence they were able to obtain, the crew had perished in the crash and declared them killed in action. U.S. military bases in Thailand were some of the first bases established in the Vietnam War theater of operations, and the veterans who served on those bases were just as much a part of the war as those who served boots on the ground in the Republic of Vietnam. They were subjected to enemy attacks, and they were also subjected to exposure to the same herbicides used in Vietnam itself. What Is The Most Important Factor To Consider When Choosing A Tactical Flashlight? Testing of 2,4,5-T, 2,4-D and other herbicides in Puerto Rico. You can also apply for benefits for other illnesses, but you will have to show a medical connection between herbicide exposure and your disability. They used that letter repeatedly to deny claims, Mary Flodder, McHenrys widow, said in an interview. The following are from a document called: Fact Sheets and Histories of the United States Air Force at Royal Thai Air Force Bases, dated 12 August 1976, and published by the 13th Air Force Office of History. Korat RTAFB Showing the perimeter and the herbicide/Agent Orange Drift Zone, Data Block for the Official Department of There were also 21 military bases used for storage during the war and up until the time that use of Agent Orange was discontinued in 1971. For military personnel working on these aircraft and near the Thailand storage areas, the risk of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides was high, as the spraying equipment on the Operation Ranch Hand aircraft and the barrels that contained the herbicides were known to leak. As one of a group of chemicals referred to as the rainbow herbicides, Agent Orange served as the most well-known defoliant used in the Vietnam War. A declassified Department of Defense report written in 1973 titled, Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report: Base Defense in Thailand 1968-1972, contains evidence that there was significant use of the herbicide Agent Orange along the fence-line perimeters of Thailand military bases to remove foliage that provided cover for enemy forces. The The 435th TAW was activated on 1 April 1966 and its first commander was Colonel Harry A. George. Is it two feet from the perimeter? Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. WebThis group is dedicated to the brotherhood of those who served at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base,Thailand during the Vietnam War. January 9, 1962 through June 30, 1976, or; Laos. Skinner, who has fought prostate cancer since 2018, has gone through 44 treatments of radiation therapy. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? If you have a better base map, please let me know. Agent Orange These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. Puerto Rico was also home to the storage and testing of Agent Orange from 1956 to 1957, and then again from 1966 to 1968. With extensive experience working with VA disability claims, Berry Law can help you with your disability appeals. On September 16, 1974, the USAF forces at Ubon were inactivated, and the facility was handed over to the Thai government. Research and testing of Agents Purple, Orange, White and Blue at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where some contamination of the soil was discovered in trace amounts. area near the Weapons Storage and Maintenance Area at Ubon RTAFB, Map of the Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 Storage area at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Map of the Are you, or someone you know, struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder? If your VA disability claim has been denied, we may be able to assist you. The last scheduled training flight was held on July 16, 1974. Specifically, in 1956, numerous herbicide chemicals were evaluated on tropical woods in Mayaguez and Guanica, PR. The wing also flew humanitarian missions in Cambodia and Thailand. The Department of Veterans Affairs response to Agent Orange exposure was ill-informed and made a series of errors. Poway, Calif. attorney Amanda Mineer recalled working on one case in which she and her team had to introduce into evidence a photo of a sailor taking a photographic selfie of himself on a ship as that ship crossed the equator, with barrels of Agent Orange nearby, visible in the photo. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. The wing flew its first combat mission on 5 May 1966. Ubon, Thailand | 6994th Security Squadron The VA presumes that anyone who served in country in Vietnam with boots on the ground anytime between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 was exposed to Agent Orange. Barrels of herbicides (AO) were buried under the runway at Bor Phai and not found until March, 1999. Source: Herbicide Use in Thailand The Relationship to the Rules of Engagement (ROE) and Use in Vietnam and Laos. Or is it 500 feet? This list includes U.S. Air Force veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force bases at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat and Don Muang. However, the Veteran served at Korat Air Force Base in Thailand for a 4-month period in mid-1962 and again in Korea from mid-1965 to mid-1966 but the record VA presumes (assumes) exposure to Agent Orange for Veterans who served on any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailandfrom January 9, 1962, throughJune 30, 1976. Hawaii was one of the main sites for the storage and testing of Agent Orange throughout the 1960s. WebThese are the major bases the USAF operated from in Thailand: Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base, 19611970 Major USAF Unit: 631st Combat Support Group, 19621970 Centerville resident McHenry died in July 2021 at the age of 74. The base is home to the Royal Thai Air Forces 1st Air Division, and is also used by the United States Air Force (USAF). h#{mcXuXL] Agent Orange Exposure in Areas Other than 800-829-4833, Veterans Crisis Line: stream These bases include: Ubon, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang, U-Tapao, and Nakhom Phanom. 2 0 obj The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. CCK Recognized for Donations to American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, CCK Successfully Argues for a Precedential Decision About Protected Work Environment, A Day in the Life of a Paralegal (Claims Advocate) at CCK. As some Thailand veterans see it, the VA places an undue burden of proof on them to demonstrate they were harmed by Agent Orange, in some cases asking for photographs or other evidence of physical proximity to harmful herbicides. In Thailand, there is extensive herbicide use on military bases. Not all VA disability claims follow the same phase pattern and each phase of the claim can vary in time depending on the complexity of the claim and the amount and type of evidence provided in support of the claim. Service members who were exposed to Agent Orange can receive disability compensation for a number of presumptive conditions including type II diabetes, AL Amyloidosis, heart disease, Parkinsons, and more. Agent Orange Used on Bases in Thailand The C-123 aircraft that assisted with Operation Ranch Hand Those who were exposed to Agent Orange outside of Vietnam or Korea must provide evidence that they were actually exposed to the herbicide. Troops exposed to Agent Orange outside of Vietnam could be in Thailand Military Bases and Agent Orange Exposure Because of dense vegetation, the enemy was able to access the KC-135 parking ramp on Korat during the 1972 war, so it was regarded as a serious problem. No. 19-2499 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. What did VA Cover Up in Thailand Agent Orange Data Release? Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Map of the Flight Line, perimeter of Takhli RTAFB, Annotated Google Map Photo of If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, Agent Orange Presumption and Service in Thailand 553rd Reconnaissance Wing Batcat Veterans Benefit, is This Ubon, Thailand page of the website is dedicated to the memory of the crew of BARON 52; We express our most sincere gratitude to each one of you for giving all you had in the name of freedom. Present and Future Facilities at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB 30 June 1968, Department of the Air Force Master Base Plan Map Agent Blue was used from approximately 1973 to 1977 on the Air Force Base grounds. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. It is located in the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Isan region of Thailand. Skinner acknowledges that he can get health care from the VA. He also claims exposure when assisting aircraft and military personnel from any location inbound or departing Ubon, declaring an emergency. Source: Citation Nr: 1614502 Decision Date: 04/11/16 Archive Date: 04/26/16 DOCKET NO. This document contains false or misleading statements. The VAs definition of tactical herbicide is arbitrary, irrational, and illegal. The Board does not find any reason in the record for finding this account by the Veteran not credible. Source: Citation Nr: 1222558 Decision Date: 06/28/12 Archive Date: 07/10/12 DOCKET NO. Call Cuddigan Law to get help with your VA disability application or appeal today. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Testing of Agents Orange, Purple and Blue at the Gagetown military base in New Brunswick, Canada, where eventually the Canadian government was forced to pay restitution to citizens who claimed health problems due to the dioxin contamination. This webinar has already aired. But not to veterans in Thailand at least, not yet. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Taking into account the geography of Southeast Asia and the multiple roles assumed by military personnel traveling to and from the airbases in the area, it is entirely plausible that a military transport from Clark AFB in September 1970 stopped at an airbase in Vietnam to drop off and/or pick up passengers prior to continuing on to Thailand. The Rules established a number of restrictions on the use of herbicides in Southeast Asia. Maps and Photo's of Thai Bases - westin553.net area on the South section of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 11 - the routes taken We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. Today, the base is home to the Thai Air Forces 1st Air Division. After the war, remaining barrels of the herbicide were sent to both Seabees base in Gulfport (where there was documented contamination) and Johnston Island in the Pacific in April 1972, where all that was left was eventually destroyed at sea. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Air Force engaged in Operation Ranch Hand, a program that sprayed herbicides on the thick vegetation and foliage of Vietnam to destroy this natural cover for enemy troops. On February 5, 1973, an EC-47Q electronic warfare collection aircraft tail number 43-48636, call-sign BARON 52, flying out of Ubon RTAFB, Thailand was shot down over Saravane Province, Laos, about 50 miles east of the city of Saravane. The VAs distinction between tactical and commercial herbicide use is irrelevant to federal law or regulations. Web10,000. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Chisholm said he and like-minded attorneys representing veterans who served in Thailand are winning these cases one at a time, but with detailed evidence, detailed arguments, detailed affidavits. Time is running out for these veterans, Brown said in an email. Most of the Air Force bases in Thailand were used as staging points for operations in Vietnam. A total of 825 D models were manufactured by the United States Air Force between 1968 and 1969, with 32 of them manufactured by the Iranian Air Force. at the Southeast area of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 8 - the Agent Orange exposure in Thailand during Vietnam War According to historical accounts, a squadron in 1971 began spraying herbicide on troublesome plants. A spokeswoman for the Air Force said neither the author of the AFHRA memo nor anyone else was available for an interview. With the passage of the Agent Orange Act of 1991, the VA acknowledged that Vietnam War veterans were exposed to Agent Orange. RANCH HAND activities in Thailand necessitate the formation of similar Rules to those in Vietnam. The PACT Act establishes a presumptive service connection between Thailand veterans and the United States. The Department of Defense (DOD) has estimated that approximately 12,000 American military service members were exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Korea during the Vietnam War. He (McHenry) was a walking encyclopedia of information, Skinner said. The 435th TAW endobj Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. If you served in Thailand during this time period, the VA concedes that you were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides if you fit within any one of the following: While the VA concedes that you were exposed to Agent Orange if you served in Thailand in one of the above capacities, you may still qualify for Agent Orange compensation benefits if you can show that you were otherwise exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Thailand. 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Thailand provided air and ground bases to the United States, and soon became the largest station of the United States Air Force in Southeast Asia, with air bases at Don Muang RTAFB, Thailand, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, Ramasun Station, Thailand, Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, Korat RTAFB, Thailand, and Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand. Because all the perimeters were sprayed with various types of herbicides with dioxin in it. These diseases, which were placed on a list for "presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange," include Parkinsons disease, Hodgkins disease, Ischemic heart disease, AL amyloidosis, chronic B-cell leukemia, multiple myeloma, and early-onset peripheral neuropathy. A search and rescue team inspected the crash site and observed at least 4 bodies in the wreckage, but were only able to recover the partial remains of one individual before they had to withdraw due to a heavy presence of hostile forces in the area. Agent Orange Korats living quarters, for example, were only meters away from the perimeter. He claims specifically, that he was exposed to Agent Orange when responding to and handling C-123s managed by special operations groups located on the secured back 40 ramp and Ranch Hand aircraft that landed at his location after spray missions over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. But the prospects for those bills is uncertain at this point. The wing flew missions in support of the U.S. military forces in Vietnam and Laos. While we still have our home base in Florida, Ubon Air Base was a US military facility located in Thailand from 1965 to 1974. Thus, the VA assumes your disability resulted from your military service, and you dont have to provide proof or an evidential link between the incident and your disease. WebThe 26 July 1968 attack on Udorn RTAFB was the first overt, hostile action by either communist-inspired insurgent forces or military units of North Vietnam against United States Air Force personnel and resources located in the Kingdom of Thailand. Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a military installation located in the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in northeastern Thailand. Attention A T users. The uses of numerous herbicides at many sites were recorded, to include: During the Vietnam War, herbicides were also stored at military bases all over the world. 4. Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base - Wikipedia The poison spray rained down from military aircraft, and millions of people on the ground were exposedwith many eventually becoming ill due to hot spots of dioxins left in the geography. Contact us to speak with an intake specialist for free. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. According to Dr. Youngs records, herbicide, such as Agent Orange and its cousins, were frequently used in routine vegetation control programs. In 1969, the CHECO report looked at similarities between base defense in Vietnam and Thailand. The objective of this research was to prepare mixtures of various herbicides in the form of pellets, and to test them on variations types of vegetation. When evaluating the effectiveness of herbicide mixtures, Agent Orange was used as the standard. WebU.S. Members of the Air Force Reserves who worked on C-123 aircraft after the Vietnam War, and those who served in a regular Air Force unit location where C-123 aircraft were assigned between 1969 and 1986 are also eligible for the presumption. VA Disability Rating for Agent Orange & List of Presumptive Agent Orange is just a euphemism for many different types of herbicides. Even though Agent Orange was widely used in nearby countries, veterans who spent time in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia are not granted that presumptive Agent Orange and other Herbicides Stored at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Rules for Disability Compensation Related to Agent Orange Exposure, CCK Court Wins: Agent Orange & Gulf War Illness. They (the VA) dont give you a definition of what the perimeter is, Harmon said. Please switch auto forms mode to off. Other VA compensation claim resources on this website. treated with Agent Orange. These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a military installation of the Royal Thai Air Force. Sen. have hearing loss. The Royal Thai Air Force Base (RSAF) in Ubon Ratchathani is a military base in Thailand. Call: 988 (Press 1), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. Takhli held an annual training event between March 17 and 21, 1969, and July 13 to 16, 1970, respectively. 10-43 072, Citation Nr: 1222558 Decision Date: 06/28/12 Archive Date: 07/10/12 DOCKET NO. Agent Blue was stored at Johnston Atoll along with Agent Orange, but was then stored at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona.
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