Here, a short-term evaluation was orchestrated by personnel from Fort Detricks Plant Science Lab in coordination with contract research completed by the United States Department of Agriculture and University of Hawaii sites. The aircrew of the American Combat Aviation Center provided high-altitude ground coverage for USAF aircraft while in Thai airspace. U.S. Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. The 435th TAW was a theater airlift unit that supported the U.S. military forces in Southeast Asia. endobj Thats our job., Its still essentially a case-by-case basis, Chisholm said. Veterans who served in Thailand have long contended they face a higher bar in winning Veterans Administration (VA) disability benefits claims, having to clearly demonstrate they were exposed to Agent Orange or other harmful herbicides while their fellow veterans enjoy a presumption that they were exposed. The RTAF has a strength of over 43,000 personnel and operates over 350 aircraft. <>>> 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. You can also apply for benefits for other illnesses, but you will have to show a medical connection between herbicide exposure and your disability. Sen. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. In addition, the federal supply system had Agent Blue, Agent White, and Agent Orange on hand, all of which are known to contain chemical agents. 635th Security Police Squadron herbicide was used to clear a 100-foot-wide section of the perimeter fence after the attack on U-Tapao. While you focus on taking care of yourself, let us take care of the claim process and secure the disability benefits you deserve. These missions were classified, but they show a directional relationship between the U.S. military in Thailand and the Operation Ranch Hand program. The VAs definition of tactical herbicide is arbitrary, irrational, and illegal. If you have a better base map, please let me know. The Department of Veterans Affairs response to Agent Orange exposure was ill-informed and made a series of errors. 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. WebSpecifically, the VA stated that the following veterans may have been exposed to herbicides such as Agent Orange: U.S. Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force Despite the fact that the 13th BS was no longer manned or equipped, it remained operational until its demise on December 24, 1972. sappers attacked Ubon three times during the Vietnam War. The BARON 52 crew was finally laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, in December 1995 in a communal grave in Section 34, Site number 4402. These C-123s were often staged at Air Force bases in Thailand, and the barrels and spraying equipment on the aircrafts were known to leak, exposing service members to the toxic herbicides. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. yet assertive representation for our clients. If you set foot on a land mass (in Vietnam), youre entitled to a presumption that you have been exposed to herbicides, Rhode Island attorney Robert Chisholm said in an interview. 5 unexploded charges were discovered, as well as two C-47s that had been damaged. The documents show that the use of herbicide was recommended in 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1973. Robin Olds was born Robert Oldys, Jr., at Luke Field Hospital, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. B-52 Ramp and Asset Perimeter Wires at U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 9 - driving 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. This document contains false or misleading statements. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. many diseases presumptive to Agent Orange exposure in the RVN are rearing their ugly head. 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. 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. Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a military installation of the Royal Thai Air Force. Call for immediate help at 401-331-6300 or contact us online. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Being stationed in we represent clients nationwide. Personnel were exposed to Agent Orange at the same time as Vietnam veterans. On February 5, 1973, an EC-47Q electronic warfare collection aircraft tail number 43-48636, Additionally, C-123 Aircraft that were used to This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Testing of 2,4,5-T, 2,4-D and other herbicides in Puerto Rico. 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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 Southeast Asias first F-4C Phantom II unit was formed in 1971 when the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron was formed. and Bangkok International Airport (Vietnam era), while landing at The last of Constant Guards F4 augmentation forces was released in September 1973. Thailand It was established in 1913, making it one of the oldest air forces in the world. Centerville resident McHenry died in July 2021 at the age of 74. They (the VA) dont give you a definition of what the perimeter is, Harmon said. stream After a brief hiatus, testing resumed in 1966 with the aerial application of Agent Orange taking place in Loquillo and Las Marias, PR. With facilities in Cambodia, India, Korea, Laos, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Canada, as well as at sea, Agent Orange was stored at many overseas locationas well as used for testing purposesup until 1970. If you served in one of the areas above, you still need to prove that you were actually exposed to Agent Orange in one way or another. Royal Thai Air Force Base perimeters during the Vietnam Era, the VA Udorn and Ubon, Thailand in 1963 during a training exercise at JT116 FTX. It was used as a staging area for bombing missions over Laos and Cambodia. 4 0 obj The perimeter of Ubon has been pushed back and there has been little foliage on the perimeter, according to photographs. The AFHRA memo said that although use of commercial herbicides is documented, the Air Force archivists found no mention of the transportation, payment for or use of any tactical herbicide to control vegetation on Air Force installations in Thailand. Munitions Storage area at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Weapon However, documentation and sworn statements by military personnel contradicted that position. Other VA compensation claim resources on this website. [1] It is in the city of Udon Thani in northeastern Thailand and is the main airport serving the city and province. Agent Orange is just a euphemism for many different types of herbicides. With the passage of the Agent Orange Act of 1991, the VA acknowledged that Vietnam War veterans were exposed to Agent Orange. Everyone that was on the bases would have been in the spray zone for the herbicides, Flodder said. 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. There is strong evidence to back up the VAs previous claim that herbicide was only used on the perimeters. Cantonment area at Ubon RTAFB, Udorn Thailand area including Those who were exposed to Agent Orange outside of Vietnam or Korea must provide evidence that they were actually exposed to the herbicide. along the perimeter of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 10 - the Recreation and Beach These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. In addition to being storage areas for Agent Orange, herbicides were used on these Air Force bases to control vegetation along the perimeter of the bases in order to improve visual observation of the perimeter. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? SSA and VA Disability Attorney in Omaha, Nebraska, 2023 Cuddigan Law, All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission, Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange Get Disability, Vets Who Served in Thailand Qualify for Benefits, Agent Orange Exposure and Associated Diseases, VA Special Monthly Compensation Explained With Pay Rates, How the Bilateral Factor Affects Your VA Disability Benefits, Expanded Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Materials, The disability occurred because of an in-service event, There was a link between the event and the current disability. Agent Orange Herbicide Exposure | VA Disability Group RANCH HAND activities in Thailand necessitate the formation of similar Rules to those in Vietnam. It is approximately 488 km the Royal Thai Air Force Base side of Bangkok International Airport, more Skinner said the denial was frustrating. However, if the US Air Force in Thailand was required to These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. The base was established in 1955, and was used by the USAF during the Vietnam War. If a veteran can prove that they served in Thailand at any US or Thai base between January 9, 1962 and June 30, 1976, the VA will assess their exposure to Agent Orange. However, before 2010, veterans stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War didn't receive that same consideration. During the period from October 12 to December 20, 1965, and from July 1966 to August 15, 1973, the United States conducted air defense missions in Southeast Asia. When evaluating the effectiveness of herbicide mixtures, Agent Orange was used as the standard. Together, we must take action to save lives. 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. The VAs requirement that Thailand veterans prove their military service and experience working on the perimeter was excessive. detailed annotations, Map 7 - the Demolitioin area It is located in the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Isan region of Thailand. The wing flew its first combat mission on 5 May 1966. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawyers 6940 O St, Suite 400 Lincoln, NE 68510. All Thailand veterans should be diagnosed with herbicide exposure as soon as possible. Agent Orange Exposure in Thailand | Cuddigan Law Thank you Thailand veterans for your service at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam War. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 These bases include: Ubon, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang, U-Tapao, and Nakhom Phanom. Among them: The Veterans Agent Orange Exposure Equity Act, the Cost of War Act, and others, including the Fairly Assessing Service-related Exposure Residual (FASTER) Presumptions Act, also dubbed the FASTER Act. In addition, some U.S. Army veterans who provided perimeter security on those bases or who served with a military police unit may have Agent Orange Thailand exposure. Web10,000. WebYou served on active duty in a regular Air Force unit location where a C-123 aircraft with traces of Agent Orange was assigned, and had repeated contact with this aircraft due to The PACT Act has added the following five locations and corresponding time periods as presumptive for Agent Orange exposure: Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand. Orders placed prior to the date of shipment will be delivered as soon as possible. But he sought (and seeks) compensation for pain and suffering. 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. Another important point should be made here. During these operations in Thailand, Sergeant Richard E. Wolf received a letter of commendation for his service. 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. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Were going to try to right a wrong, Trone said. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 What did VA Cover Up in Thailand Agent Orange Data Release? We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! A solution by Congress may be the best approach, some attorneys and veterans advocates say. Thus, those veterans with boots on the ground service were granted presumptive service connection if they suffered from specific medical conditions, making it much easier to obtain VA disability compensation for their diseases. Bob has been fighting this letter since it came out, Skinner said. Even those who were exposed to herbicide agents under VA policy were denied benefits in the past. Office of Accountability & Whistleblower Protection, Training - Exposure - Experience (TEE) Tournament, Military Exposure Related Health Concerns, War Related Illness & Injury Study Center, Clinical Trainees (Academic Affiliations), benefits related to Agent Orange exposure, Call TTY if you Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 U-Tapao Air Base, Thailand, 1972The National Archives, Health Care The Thai government has acknowledged the health risks associated with the use of Agent Orange, and has provided compensation to those affected. This was the last multi-crew loss of the Vietnam War. <> The chemicals were applied in highly concentrated solutions using a micro-sprayer. 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. On July 10, 1965, he was credited with the first air victory of the Vietnam War, downing two Mirage jets. In December of 1966, Fort Detrick personnel conducted field tests of Agent Orange in Hilo, HI in order to evaluate variables such as rates, volume of application, season, and vegetation. Weband evacuation missions. 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. The report notes the significant use of Agent Orange to remove foliage that 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. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Agent Orange Presumption and Service in Thailand Since Agent Blue could not be burned, the herbicide was sprayed on the Air Force base as a way to dispose of the remaining stores. But not to veterans in Thailand at least, not yet. Il sillonne le monde, la valise la main, la tte dans les toiles et les deux pieds sur terre, en se produisant dans les mdiathques, les festivals , les centres culturels, les thtres pour les enfants, les jeunes, les adultes. This includes those who served at military bases in Thailand, bases where Agent Orange was stored and tested. Agent Orange is a highly toxic, deadly chemical that is a known carcinogen. The Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973, by the governments of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States. McHenry worked for years to correct what he argued was an error in that memo, which held there was no evidence of tactical herbicides having been used at American bases in Thailand. Many veterans like Dan Tolly of Tampa who served on those Thai bases are sick. Replacement Training Center of Royal Thai Army near Pranburi from 1964 to 1965, Laos from December 1965 to 1967 (spraying operations), Loquillo, Puerto Rico in April and October 1966 (testing), Kauai, Hawaii in 1967 and February 1968 (testing), Las Marias, Puerto Rico from February to December 1967 (testing), Apaloachicola National Forest near Sophoppy, Florida in May 1967 (testing), Base Gagetown, near Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada in June 1957 (testing), Fort Gordon, Georgia in July 1967 (testing), The Southeastern part of Kompong Cham Province and Dar and Prek Clong plantations, Cambodia in June 1969, Pooles Island, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland in July 1969 (testing), Gulfport, Mississippi 1968 to 1970 (Agent Orange storage area), Johnston Island from April 1972 to September 1977 (Agent Orange storage area). 3 0 obj Questions sent to the offices of Portman and U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton. This is a developing area of the law, and we dont know where VA will eventually draw the line. So, if you served on one of those Thailand bases during the Vietnam-era, and you now suffer from one of those diseases recognized as being caused by herbicide exposure (such as diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, Hodgkins disease, prostate or respiratory cancer, Parkinsons Disease), it is worth filing a claim for VA benefits. Agent Orange and Blue were present in Thailand during the Vietnam War. They were relocated to Clark Air Base in the Philippines in April 1972, after a three-month stay in Singapore. WebAgent Orange was used around the perimeters of Royal Thai Air Force Bases to clear the perimeter of foliage for increased security. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. The wing lost a significant number of personnel, aircraft, and units in the early 1970s. These include cancer, birth defects, and other illnesses. Over the course of a year, we recently lost 100,000 sons, daughters, moms, and dads to drug overdoses. Agent Orange exposure and VA disability compensation It was used to push enemy troops out of the jungles, forcing them to fight out in the open. VA Notice of Disagreement (NOD) Delaying VA Claim Decision Select personnel would receive a copy of their own herbicide manual. The 435th Tactical Airlift Wing (TAW) was the unit that operated C-130s from Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, during the Vietnam War. Often fence lines were sprayed to kill vegetation that may have hid the presence of enemy soldiers. While attending law school, she worked as a teaching assistant for legal writing classes. If you served in an area other than Vietnam and you were exposed to Agent Orange, please contact the Berry Law Firm at (888) 883-2483. He said he worked in areas close to base fencelines and perimeters, sometimes chaining down jets to run the engines, which would actually kick up dust and dirt everywhere around the aircraft.. The wing flew missions in support of the U.S. military forces in Vietnam and Laos. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. 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. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 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. This is the best map of the base layout at Ubon RTAFB I can find. Im spending out of pocket about $6,000 to $6,500 a year in medications, he said. No. 19-2499 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR Agent Orange These cookies collect information about how you use our website. Vietnam War-era veterans who served in Thailand say theyre still fighting. Puerto Rico was also home to the storage and testing of Agent Orange from 1956 to 1957, and then again from 1966 to 1968. Military leadership established training and procedures to establish a uniform standard for the use of herbicide. 7. As a result of the agreements, American military operations in North and South Vietnam were officially halted. 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. That legacy was also carried back to the US, as dependents of veterans have been born with serious birth defects such as spina bifida. You have to prove it.. Beyond Vietnam: Other Military Areas Where Agent Orange was Used, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School. The DOD has identified the following units that served along the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) that were exposed to Agent Orange between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971: While the above units have been specifically identified as having served in the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, if you served in and around the Korean DMZ outside of this time period and have evidence that you were exposed to Agent Orange during your service in Korea, you may still qualify for compensation benefits for Agent-Orange related disabilities. 14 July 1922: Brigadier General Robin Olds, United States Air Force, was a fighter pilot and triple ace with 16 official aerial victories in two wars. He claims in his article that herbicide was used prior to construction to defoliate compound perimeters, landing zones, and bases. 3,048. asphalt. Agent Orange is a mixture of acids that causes cancer and other deadly diseases. A spokeswoman for the Department of Veterans Affairs declined an interview but offered to answer questions in writing. 3. DOD has confirmed that Agent Orange was also stored or sprayed in the following areas: It has also been alleged that Agent Orange was present in the Panama Canal Zone from the 60s to the early 70s and in Guam from the mid 50s through the 60s. The documents show that herbicide shipments not associated with Rancho Hand were sent to and from Thailand. These bases include: Ubon, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang, U-Tapao, and Nakhom Phanom. A Maryland Democrat, David Trone, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, has introduced the latter piece of legislation. United States Air Force in Thailand - Wikipedia Present and Future Facilities at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB 30 June 1968, Department of the Air Force Master Base Plan Map A spokeswoman for the Air Force said neither the author of the AFHRA memo nor anyone else was available for an interview. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. An aerial application of the herbicide was completed and data was recorded. Proving Agent Orange Exposure for Veterans Who Served in Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Google Map Photo of This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Filing Online VA Compensation Claims with eBenefits % U.S. Bases in Thailand During the Vietnam War and 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. 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. This distinction is frequently used by the VA to deny Thailand exposure claims. Its not a burden shared by veterans who served in Vietnam or in the Navy. Some veterans will have an easier time establishing their exposure to herbicides than others. If a veterans military occupation required him to patrol the perimeter of one of these basesdog handlers or military policeand his service records establish this fact, then VA is going to be much more willing to acknowledge that veterans exposure to herbicides. But this doesnt mean that other veterans cannot also prove such exposure. What Is The Most Important Factor To Consider When Choosing A Tactical Flashlight? 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. 09-42 836. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Thailand veterans harmed by Agent Orange hope In Thailand, there is extensive herbicide use on military bases. the location of Udorn RTAFB, Map of B-52 Ramp, NE Quadrant U-Tapao RTAFB with 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. The Rules established a number of restrictions on the use of herbicides in Southeast Asia. Agent Orange Exposure in Thailand - Hill & Ponton, P.A. This same presumption exists for those who served in the Korean demilitarized zone between September 1, 1967 and August 31, 1971. Agent Orange