Veteran says Air Force sprayed Agent Orange at bases in Thailand

[@geraldrakers4746]

Thank you Sir!

[@billirvin9057]

I spent 27 months (12/70-12/71 and 6/72-9/73) at two bases in Thailand, Udorn and Nakhon Phanom. I worked on or near the flightline and our barracks at Udorn were less than 50 yards from the base perimeter. I will be 68 this year and to date, Thank God, I have no ill effects. My children do not show any ill effects (they are 46, 44, and 19) and neither do my grand children (ages 23, 15, 10, & 7). However, my children are aware and have advised their doctors so that if strange things to start showing up, they, hopefully, will know what to look for. Good look in your endeavors, Scott.

[@chukwow5738]

Bill Irvin I haven’t found those bases you mentioned yet. However, I was last year on a hill near Mukdahan to check out the remains of an late US base. Creepy area nowadays indeed. Barracks are now eaten by termites and sacked. It seems that nothing has been removed by man, just nature taking over. Ok, to be fair, radars and heavy artillery has been removed, but the foundations is still there. There still was the “vibe”. To be honest, the vibe was greater than when I visited Auszwiz (which happened to be close to my birth town). Would you like to tell more about the bases you’ve been at? I’m just a couple of hours driving from those areas. If you’d like, I can send some pictures to you how it’s like now.

[@68tjsmith]

My father died from lung cancer in September. Served on the airline 72-73 over there. VA denied

[@68tjsmith]

Would love to get a statement regarding how close the barracks were to the perimeter from you! So I could submit it with our appeal. This is such an atrocity to all of you who served. EVERYONE WAS EXPOSED

[@drillsergeant5338]

You are correct. AO wasn't a secret. It was used every where to control vegetation. All of us were exposed to AO just like all of us were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis. It was just real life. We could die from it just like we could die from being bitten by a Cobra or a Krait or a sapper attack.

[@tombutcher5776]

There was AO all over SEA!!! I was at NKP and it was all over the place.

[@paulaustinsr.9710]

I was at nkp 1969 & 1970, udorn 1969 etc. Det 25 10th Weather . What years & outfit for you ?

[@jamescottrell7367]

Comm Sq and did sp duty on perimeter.

[@markpistorius5428]

I was at Utapoa in 73-74 saw trucks spraying at night, already had cancer non small cell lung cancer, does this make it for sure, I don't know, love all my brothers i arms

[@jwheeler3462]

I served as an Army pilot/maintenance officer from 12/19/1970 to 12/4/71. I witnessed Agent Orange loading operations on the ground at NKP. I flew in and out of NKP, Udorn, Ubon, Khorat, Utapao and along the Thai/Cambodian border. As the Maintenance Officer of the 70th Aviation Co (Khorat) or as the Helicopter Detachment Commander of the 46th Special Forces Company (Lopburi) I was never briefed on the presence of Agent Orange in Country. The defoliant aircraft that I saw on the ramp at NKP proudly displayed artwork on their fusealage that depicted their mission status. The artwork was of a large "Smokey The Bear" holding a shovel in one hand with the other fist raised , middle finger flipped--up, The scripted message below the combat artwork read, "We Prevent Forests." I tried to submit a claim to the VA 8 years ago but they told me that the waiting time for next available contract neurologist was 2-3 years. My neurologist looked at the description of what the VA said he would have to attest and he said he didn't have the expertise. After seeing this video I'm going to refile my claim. I'm 78 years old, and I thank God every day for my longetivy. My heart goes out to my comrades in uniform and their families who have not been so fortunate. Major Jeff Wheeler

[@Jake-tt6mk]

Lost my dad to cancer (peritoneal carcinomatosis) at sixty-three, he served in the Air Force 70-71 at Udorn Royal Thailand Air Base. Root case unknown ...interest from the VA, negative the pattern is full.

[@ilovenoodles7483]

Condolences. Thank you to your dear father who served, apprwciation and gratitude. Thank you for sharing. My dad also was there also same time. Time to hold the gov. accountable. Agent Orange was only meant to kill the trees...supposedly.

[@jwheeler3462]

The 46th Special Forces Co. Hellicopter Detatchment provided support to the C team HQ at Lopburi, as well as 3 "B" Teams, and as many as 11 "A" teams through out Thailand. Our rotorwash kicked up all kinds of crap when we flew in and out of LZ's, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if our flight crews and passengers we exposed hovering arround at NKP (downwind of the Agent Orange loading operations), or remote sites along Thailand's Northern and Eastern Borders. My chemical burns were below my knees and I developed neurapathy in my legs, and tremors in my hands (non Parkinson's). I have no family history of any of these conditions. Major Jeff Wheeler

[@wrightflyer7855]

I served at Takhli and Ubon from Aug 70 to Aug 71. Now I'm diagnosed with multiple myeloma (blood plasma cancer), for which there is no cure. Is there a connection? Possibly, but the Air Force would never admit it of course.

[@ilovenoodles7483]

If you were "never there," or anywhere, it might get denied, but appeal, appeal, and appeal. Pray as well. God bless you and yours. Thank you for your service. Much love and appreciation for you and all the vets. Research lawyers who are experienced in fighting, ( not just going along) with the gov.

[@ilovenoodles7483]

Do your research but maybe these lawyers can help. I just found them while searching for memorabilia i. Ubon and Udorn on KZbin. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWbTY5hqlrpmhcU

[@drillsergeant5338]

Use of AO was not suppressed. There is a Project Checo report on AO being used in Thailand and every where else in SEA.

[@Mrswmjack]

My husband passed in June this year. He tried may times to get the Agent benefits but was put off each time because he served time in Korat Thailand where it was sprayed, but the claimed it was only on the perimeter and his barracks had only a wire screen at the bottom of the wall??? Anyone know how to get help?

[@jamescottrell7367]

I did 3 tours. Bladder cancer . Fought va 6 years and finally got 100%

[@arstd99]

I served at U-Tapao AFB for 9 months until it was closed. I heard rumors of a caustic substance in the area but a tight lid was kept on this. During one briefing, we were informed not to say anything to anybody. Any disclosure would result in an article 15. Thank God I was transferred to Spangdahlem AFB a few months later. I served my country proudly for 8 years but that was the craziest base of my career.

[@jimharris5616]

I was stationed at Takhli from Aug 68 to Aug 69. I'm convinced parts of the base perimeter was sprayed with AO. My shop in the munitions storage area and was less than 50 yards from the base perimeter. However, I am equally convinced the rest of the base was not sprayed. The base perimeter centered on a strip that was roughly 30 yards wide and was always as clean as a whistle of vegetation. However, the munitions storage area was somewhat overgrown with vegetation in spite of the fact that 30 or more Thai laborers worked full time cutting the grass in that area. If AO was used why was so many Thais employed in a never ending battle with vegetation.

[@tstark7639]

Army Field Manual 3-3 describes the procedure for spraying from trucks and backpacks that were largely used in Thailand. That directive makes clear that spraying should not be done within 500 meters (over 1500 feet) from any crops to avoid contaminating food crops. If such were the case, then nearly all of every Thailand base was within that drift zone as all of the bases were very compact and relatively small. The Checo report claims that Thai civilians cleared 150 yards of jungle surrounding Ubon RTAFB as an alternative to spraying. However, it says nothing regarding how that area was kept clear of vegetation following the initial clearing. It says nothing about the areas' proximity to living spaces which are nearly aways placed near the edge of the base as a "protection" for personnel when not working. My barracks was 50 feet from the perimeter fence. The entire approach to granting benefits to Thai Veterans is based on a false premise promoted by Alvin Young that claims the TCDD Dioxin (the poison within AO) is only dangerous for hours after spraying when exposed to sunlight. Scientific studies provide that Dioxin has a half-life of 12 years or more. Young and his protege James Sampsel have claimed publicly that veterans are "scamming the system" to claim benefits that they should not be getting. They have poisoned the system against us. They are lying through their teeth. Most of their proof has been discredited many times over.

[@ilovenoodles7483]

Keep fighting soldier. You made it thus far. God bless you and yours. Are you trying to file for benefits?

[@tstark7639]

@@ilovenoodles7483 Filed in early August. Initial decision may be in by end of 2018.

[@ilovenoodles7483]

@@tstark7639 Thanks for response. I'll pray for you. Do you mind sharing how you filed or the language you use to file to ensure it's filed correctly?

[@tstark7639]

As it turned out, since my type of cancer was not on the presumptive list, I did some further research on causes. Turns out I used TCE (trichloroethylene), a cleaner de-greaser as part of my job as a radio repairman for the last three years I was in the AF. It was outlawed in the 80s because it was found to be a carcinogen that causes a much higher risk of kidney cancer, liver cancer, and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma among others when exposed at occupational levels. My doctor agreed that the combination of TCE plus exposure to AO aggravates the potential for cancer development because TCE is a tumor initiator and AO is a substance that enhances tumor growth. Nearly every mechanical and electronics maintenance jobs, armorers, and aircraft mechanics were exposed to TCE in the 50s through 70s in the Air Force. It is widely known to cause those three types of cancers and it makes it an easier task to get a claim approved than AO when the cancer is not on the list of presumptive diseases. If you fall into that type of AFSC (occupations) you should check it out. TCE is not limited to those three types of cancer, but those are the ones with the strongest links. Thanks for the prayers. Best wishes.

[@ilovenoodles7483]

@@tstark7639 Your welcome. I will continue to pray as well. Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. May you be healed and receive a very generous compensation. I know no amount takes anything away but God will be on your side. I'm glad your home. Live well in Jesus name. Take care. Accept God. Acts 2:38

[@robertkepler-1085]

I was stationed at Ramasun Army Base near Udorn, during 1972 & 1973. I know now that I was exposed to Agent Orange. I now have Leukemia, Neuropathy and Diabetes. My disability claim has been denied twice. I’ve finally gotten a copy of my 10 1/2 years of my records in the Air Force. It only took SEVEN years to get them. I can Finally prove that I was in Thailand. Maybe now I’ll get that Long overdue disability.

[@ray1965ify]

I was in Korat with five thirty eight engrs a company/ earth moving platoon,we were also there to build a highway. our co had every thing needed to move dirt for highway dozers end loaders scraper pans dump trucks graders. not knowing the dirt we were constantly working had been covered with agent orange.i am now bee[ng treated for prostate cancer,just filed a claim a couple of weeks ago.

[@strgazerlilly]

Yeah and the kids that were born with defects that were not discovered until they made severe advances in medicine have some questions about that issue too

[@drillsergeant5338]

There is a Project Checo report on the use of Agent orange on bases in Thailand during the secret war in Laos. AO was used extensively in Thailand and every where else on US installations in Southeast Asia. It was used for weed control and probably still used today.

[@franceswright9160]

Wow. Weren't you there?

[@chukwow5738]

Yeah, I pity the US soldiers that did the shit for a while in Thailand. How about the locals that had no where else to go to? US just dumped the shit and went home USA have soooo many places on Mother Earth to clean up, it’s ridiculous. Time to take the responsibility!!!

[@RaySantamouro]

I was at NKP IN 1969, I WAS WITH THE 809 TH ENGS, WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY ,I JUST CAME DOWN WITH BLADDER CANCER ,AN OTHER THNGS ,HEART PROBLEMS,ANXIETY, VA RATED ME AT 100% , THE MONEY GOOD BUT I RATHER HAVE MY HEALTH BACK,

[@resolute1306]

“Significants” amounts?

[@Spectr3Belfire]

I served there. I saw them spraying stuff nearly nightly around the barracks as late as 1974 along the perimeter. Also the AC that came from spraying missions regularly used our was racks for their missions. At the bomb dump they had rows of crates which a Chief told me were Jelly Bombs (napalm) and Agent Orange containers. I pretty sure there was an Agent Purple, and a couple others after the US Stink. I am sure Laos must have been spayed as well.

[@Spectr3Belfire]

I served in the North at Udorn Royal Thai AFB. 432nd Combat Support Gp.

[@Spectr3Belfire]

Oh ya, and no kids after the military. One before. Zero Swimmers.

[@chukwow5738]

Spectre Belfire Heh, my guess is that it was cause STD😉

[@SecsSells]

Steve Andrews is Erin Andrews dad.

[@user87345]

Too late for my dad, he passed just over a year ago. He never saw justice for this.

[@carlapeckjohnson8505]

Has your Mom submitted a DIC claim with a Veterans Service Officer who will forward it to the VA for her?

[@user87345]

@@carlapeckjohnson8505 not familiar with that but I’ll check into it. Thank you

[@RonR-z5h]

Did Udorn June 68 June 69 must have just missed it