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05/09/23 05:29 PM #117    

 

Jerry Davis

William -

Yeah those weekly flights with our burn casualties were the worse!  We were there about the same time.  Me - Jan '66 till Nov '68.


05/09/23 06:01 PM #118    

 

Jerry Davis

Circa 1967 in front of 610 MASS Barracks. Me and my machines took me many miles around Honshu!


05/09/23 06:03 PM #119    

 

Jerry Davis

Circa 1967 in front of 610 MASS Barracks. Me and my machines took me many miles around Honshu!


05/12/23 01:58 PM #120    

William Leibundguth

My DD214 is totally wrong too. It shows only one year overseas duty were as I was at Yokota for two and none of my TDYs  are listed either.Found out that it's too much of a hassle to get it fixed.

 


05/12/23 05:14 PM #121    

 

Jerry Davis

610

MASS Commander 1966-1968. He had quiet a background. I found this on Ancestry / Newspapers


11/14/23 03:11 PM #122    

John Ermlich

I was stationed at Yokota from 1969 to 1972. I worked in Protocol, Pax Service, and Baggage during that time. Likewise, I have a claim pending under the" PACT ACT." Does anyone of you have any additional information about spills or incidents besides those posted? Or does anyone have a Claim Pending under the "PACT ACT"? Would you like to share your experience with the VA?
"


11/15/23 07:14 AM #123    

Bob Garcia

John,I do not have any info on chemical spills at Yokota.I worked APG flight line in 1n 1967.Back in the nineties I put in a claim for Hypertension and was subsequently denied by the VA.August of last year along came the Pact Act which opened the door to file new claims.The VA is a different animal than it was 30 years ago and my opinion for the better.You should talk to an accredited veterans service officer to steer you in the right direction.Good luck,Bob Garcia.


11/15/23 10:53 AM #124    

John Ermlich

Does anyone have any information about Agent Orange or other toxic chemicals found on the flight line/aircraft at Yokota from 1969-1972? If so, can you provide information to support these exposures? 


11/16/23 08:52 PM #125    

Robert Jensen

There was a leak on the flight lne froma 141 but that was after I left in 1969. Art Cross has made several comments on this site agout it.  Robert


11/17/23 05:31 AM #126    

Herbert Tidwell

Should have gone to Vietnam.  Then, there wouldn't be any issue about your exposure to Agent Orange.  You are grasping for straws.


11/17/23 08:19 AM #127    

Bob Garcia

For what it's worth,the major testing base for dioxins was Eglin AFB from 61 to 72.Can one imagine all the PCS and troops being trained that were exposed?There is no way the U.S.Goverment is going to open that can of worms and essentially wipe out the VA budget! By the way I was stationed at Eglin in 68,did not get in country till 1970.I wish you guys luck in trying to get your illnesses service connected, but one must be realistic when it comes to dealing with the VA.I know, because it took me 30 yrs to get my claims service connected.Every one out there,have a great turkey day and best wishes,Bob Garcia.


02/10/24 09:13 AM #128    

 

Jerry Davis

YOU GOTTA READ THIS!!!
Get the word out please!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AOSGMembers/permalink/1366777290645776/

NEWS: VA to ease benefits rules for vets exposed to Agent Orange in the United States 

By Leo Shane III  - Military Times

Thousands of veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving in the United States will for the first time be eligible for fast-track disability benefits under plans unveiled by the Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday.

The move represents another major expansion of toxic exposure benefits for veterans, this time for individuals suffering from illnesses dating back to the Vietnam War era. The changes follow mandates included in the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act — better known as the PACT Act — passed by Congress in August 2022.

Over the last two years, a combination of administration moves and new legislation opened access to disability benefits for millions of veterans who incurred injuries from burn pit smoke, radiation contamination and other military toxic exposure events.

In a statement, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the proposed moves “would make it easier for veterans exposed to herbicides who served outside Vietnam to access the benefits they so rightly deserve.

“Our goal is to provide every veteran of every era with the VA health care and benefits they deserve, and this is another step in the right direction,” McDonough said.

Rules outlining the change were filed in the Federal Register on Friday, and will still take several months before going into effect. The new proposal would give presumptive benefits status to veterans who served in “locations where herbicides were tested, used, or stored outside of Vietnam.”

That includes military locations in 12 states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Utah — where Agent Orange was present in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. A full list of the specific states and times is available on the VA website.

The rule would also cover troops stationed at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick, Canada, in June 1966 and June 1967; individuals stationed in Kumbla, India, in 1945 and 1946; and expanded timelines for troops who served in Cambodia, the Johnston Atoll, Guam, American Samoa, Korea, Laos, and Thailand during the 1960s and 1970s.

Troops who served in Vietnam between January 1962 and May 1975 — either on the ground or in waterways around the country — already qualify for presumptive benefits status by the department because of Agent Orange exposure.

The toxic defoliant has been linked to a host of cancers and heart illnesses. Presumptive status means that individuals who develop certain illnesses believed caused by the chemicals do not have to document specific instances where they were exposed, but instead only provide service records showing they were in the area presumed contaminated.

As a result, advocates have pushed for broader use of presumptive status for troops who served around toxic chemicals while in the military but may not have been able to document every instance of exposure because of records lost over the years.

Advocates hailed Friday’s announcement.

“This is long overdue justice for many veterans,” said AMVETS National Commander Bill Clark. “I hope these affected heroes and their families see the news today and feel relief. This is more than a policy change; it is an acknowledgment of the sacrifices many veterans and their families made.”

 

 


03/15/24 08:45 AM #129    

Bob Garcia

Hey Jerry,good info for those seeking V.A. benefits for toxic exposure.How are you making out? Ok on this end,still waiting on my sleep apnea claim as secondary to my SC Alergic Rhinitus/Chronis Sinusitis.The wife and I are going to attend the 610 MASS reunion in Norfork VA. It should be a lot of fun and I am presently working on new bullshit stories that I've not told before.I hope to see you there,but if not ,you take care,Bob Garcia.


03/22/24 04:35 PM #130    

William Leibundguth

Want to let you all know that I heard from John Bartunek today. He has just gotten home from the hospital where he has been since before Christmas. He has Parkison's and has been in therapy to relearn to walk. God be with him and I'm sure he'd appreciate hearing from you all via text or email.

 


03/23/24 09:38 PM #131    

Roy Lee

William, Thanks for the info on John


03/25/24 10:26 PM #132    

 

Jerry Davis

Hi Bob Garcia, I had a C&P exam the end of February. I think it will be my last exam?  But not sure.  My AO Claims are approaching 3 years old.  It still says gathering info on claim status.  It's just a waiting game.  I finally decided to return to Japan after almost 50 years!  We are going to spend 3 weeks in the Alps around Takayama, then head to Kyoto and Osaka area with a day trip to Hiroshima.  Then head to Fuji 5 lakes, then to Tokyo.  Will do a day trip to Fussa / Yokota and see if I can get on base with my VA Card.  I'll be with my Granddaughter who has a CACI Card so she should be able to escort me in.  Anyway, I don't expect anything to be recognizable šŸ˜‚.  I hope all is well with you and yours! Jerry 

 

 


03/26/24 08:47 AM #133    

Bob Garcia

Hey Jerry,glad to hear from you.this VA claims process is a long slog.Man,that sounds like a great trip with your family,Kiring beer,yakasoba and all.I just got turned down for the third time for OSA.Third strike and your out right?Not!.My VFW VSO has advise me that based on the decision report we should go the higher level review route.His assesment is that vital facts were glossed over and the report is quite flawed.The bottom line is the VA doesn't want to pay two years 50% retro along with another 20% added to my current 60% SC disabilities.You said you did time incountry as a civilian but what about the military?The only thing that saved my ass with regard to AO claims is that I held on to some flight orders,flight logs and a DD214.Have a great trip and have a Kiring for me,Bob Garcia.


03/27/24 07:14 PM #134    

 

Jerry Davis

Bob, they have already acknowledged AO exposure for my blood pressure, but because it is treatable they gave me 0%.  At least they have acknowledged exposure.  Just got to wait on the other claism to be processed, then go from there.  Good luck on the review.  Don't get discouraged, it's a waiting game with them.


03/28/24 06:43 AM #135    

Bob Garcia

Well Jerrry,that seems par for the course for the VA.I had to jump through hoops just to get 10%.They set the bar so high so you have to be on your death bed to get anything more out of them.Good to hear from you,have a great and safe trip,Bob Garcia.


07/08/24 07:15 AM #136    

 

Jerry Davis

See you tomorrow Yokota!  First time in 56 years.  Will anything be the same?

Ueno → Fussa
Tue, Jul 9  9:02 - 10:23
1 hr 21 min Transfer 1 time 824 yen
--------------------
Fare using IC card.
[Jul 9]
 9:02 Ueno Platform 3Depart
 Yamanote Line Toward Tokyo
  Timeļ¼š6 min
  Fareļ¼šTo Fussa is 824 yen
 9:08 Kanda(Tokyo) Platform 2Arrive
 ā–¼Transfer 3 min Wait 1 min
 9:12 Kanda(Tokyo) Platform 6Depart
 Chuo Line Rapid (For Ome)
  Timeļ¼š53 min
10:05 Tachikawa
 ā–¼Direct 1 min
10:06 Tachikawa
 Ome Line (For Ome)
  Timeļ¼š17 min
10:23 Fussa

Jorudan Japan Transit Planner


07/09/24 06:47 AM #137    

Bob Garcia

Bar Row might look a little different,check out the VFW there in Fussamachi,Have a safe trip,Bob Garcia.


07/22/24 10:20 AM #138    

 

Jerry Davis

Hello 610 MASS fellow Airmen,

I'm looking for someone who can help me with my PTSD VA claim by writing a "Buddy Letter" describing the experience we shared working on the medivac flights and handling the aircraft flying our beloved KIA's home.

I worked the flight line 1967 & 1968 for 23 months handling these flights.  If you worked during a similar timeframe and remember the trauma we suffered due to working around and seeing these wounded and KIA's on a daily basis, please send me a private email if you can help me out.  I will explain further in detail in a email back to you.

thank you for your consideration, Jerry 

 


07/28/24 02:06 AM #139    

Max Perry

Hello Jerry Davis 

this is Max Perry, I worked pax service from 67-69

do we know each other? After 50+ years you tend to forget stuff,

I worked with sgt Vernon Upton, if that rings a bell.

Max Perry


07/29/24 07:55 PM #140    

 

Jerry Davis

Hi Max,

If I saw photos y'all of those times I might remember.  Time has faded names for me unfortunately.


07/31/24 03:14 PM #141    

 

Jerry Davis

I only see 5 folders for Yokota newspapers.  What am I missing?


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