Air Force Veterans who 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. The attorneys at Berry Law Firm are dedicated to helping injured Veterans. If military police conducted foot patrols at the perimeter, the situation would have been completely exposed. Storage area at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Map of the Agent Orange Used on Bases in Thailand The C-123 aircraft that assisted with Operation Ranch Hand 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. He claims in his article that herbicide was used prior to construction to defoliate compound perimeters, landing zones, and bases. Several bills in Congress purport to take aim at the problem. Turner hassupported similar legislationin the past. 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. In an interview, Skinner recalled that he was an aircraft mechanic on F4 Phantom jets while serving in Thailand. Thank you Thailand veterans for your service at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam War. As a result of the agreements, American military operations in North and South Vietnam were officially halted. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 xNC}qpFd;SS^=8z|A,YERkvACs,~zt;93u_rJaU"Tt~\&,xxR|xPVu6 On July 10, 1965, he was credited with the first air victory of the Vietnam War, downing two Mirage jets. Around this same time, another testing project was administered in the State Forest area of Mauna Loa, HI. Often fence lines were sprayed to kill vegetation that may have hid the presence of enemy soldiers. Air Force or Army service at Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, or Army service at some small Army installations in Thailand, between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. served during the Vietnam War Skinner acknowledges that he can get health care from the VA. 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. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). However, documentation and sworn statements by military personnel contradicted that position. 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. This webinar has already aired. Cantonment area at Ubon RTAFB, Udorn Thailand area including Together, we must take action to save lives. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. The first two or three gallons of herbicide were discovered to be leaking from empty herbicide barrels, and the last two or three gallons were discovered to be difficult to drain. What did VA Cover Up in Thailand Agent Orange Data Release? They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices The last of Constant Guards F4 augmentation forces was released in September 1973. Weband evacuation missions. 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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. at the Southeast area of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 8 - the The 435th TAW was inactivated on 30 September 1974. Korat RTAFB Showing the perimeter and the herbicide/Agent Orange Drift Zone, Data Block for the Official Department of 553rd Reconnaissance Wing Batcat Veterans Benefit, is Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base (Udorn RTAFB) is a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) base, the home of 23rd Wing Air Command. On Thailand bases, service members were exposed to herbicide agents at a rate comparable to those exposed to other hazardous chemicals. 10J1NEwk^yWc|vbzdUSDR\@D# 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. Lets be real, this was 60 years ago, Trone said. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Agent Orange is a highly toxic, deadly chemical that is a known carcinogen. 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. 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. Our monthly newsletter features about important and up-to-date veterans' law news, keeping you informed about the changes that matter. Shannon Brewer, Senior Attorney Updated: October 24, 2013. Skip to main content Skip to navigation. 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. Contact Us 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. Other VA compensation claim resources on this website. 877-222-8387, TDD (Hearing Impaired) 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Some have won on appeal.. While you focus on taking care of yourself, let us take care of the claim process and secure the disability benefits you deserve. 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. Call: 988 (Press 1), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. Thailand We have updated our Privacy Policy. Since that time, we have provided compassionate 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. Agent Orange in Thailand - DAV The VAs distinction between tactical and commercial herbicide use is irrelevant to federal law or regulations. Initially, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claimed the aircraft used in Operation Ranch Hand and the herbicides they carried were either temporarily staged or never staged on Thailand bases. Agent Orange Presumption and Service in Thailand But proving it isnt always possible, others say. 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. 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. 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.. Call Cuddigan Law to get help with your VA disability application or appeal today. Most of the Air Force bases in Thailand were used as staging points for operations in Vietnam. The Rules established a number of restrictions on the use of herbicides in Southeast Asia. Puerto Rico was also home to the storage and testing of Agent Orange from 1956 to 1957, and then again from 1966 to 1968. 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. You can also apply for benefits for other illnesses, but you will have to show a medical connection between herbicide exposure and your disability. A spokeswoman for the Air Force said neither the author of the AFHRA memo nor anyone else was available for an interview. 635th Security Police Squadron herbicide was used to clear a 100-foot-wide section of the perimeter fence after the attack on U-Tapao. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. It began as group of individuals who were stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) who wanted to share their experiences and photos from the bases inception in 1961 through its eventual closure in 1975. During these operations in Thailand, Sergeant Richard E. Wolf received a letter of commendation for his service. But not to veterans in Thailand at least, not yet. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. It acknowledges that herbicide use is present at Thailand military bases, but it only recently granted Vietnam veterans the presumption of exposure to the same chemicals as U.S. veterans. Korat RTAFB, Brett Watterson sent me this map of Korat RTAFB which he highlighted the full perimeter, Official Department of the Air Force Map Veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam era can tell stories about and sometimes even show pictures of the disappearing vegetation on the bases on which they served. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. The excerpt from Herbicidal Warfare indicates that seven spray planes stopped at Ubon Airfield in January 1979 before flying into Vietnam; significantly, the veterans service records show that he was stationed in Ubon in January 1979. Source: Citation Nr: 0714102 Decision Date: 05/11/07 Archive Date: 05/25/07 DOCKET NO. Red line shows the Nakhon Pahnom RTAFB base perimeter, while the blue line shows the full 500 meter herbicide/Agent Orange drift zone as defined in U.S. Army document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) PTSD Lawyers | Berry Law Firm. 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. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? In 1973, the base was turned over to the Royal Thai Air Force. 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. The C-123 aircraft that assisted with Operation Ranch Hand used bases in Thailand. The US Department of Veterans Affairs maintains that aircraft and herbicide were either staged or never staged on Thailand bases. WebThe Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), located on the eastern border of Thailand, was the host to Detachment 3 of the 6994th Security Squadron and eventually the Because of the governments inability to identify the veterans, Congress granted them the right to sue for libel. But he sought (and seeks) compensation for pain and suffering. Being stationed in WebAir Force Veterans who 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. If you have a better base map, please let me know. The aircrew of the American Combat Aviation Center provided high-altitude ground coverage for USAF aircraft while in Thai airspace. A Maryland Democrat, David Trone, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, has introduced the latter piece of legislation. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. 3 0 obj Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? Sen. endobj details of the RTAFB side of the field, details 10-43 072, Citation Nr: 1222558 Decision Date: 06/28/12 Archive Date: 07/10/12 DOCKET NO. Proving Agent Orange Exposure for Veterans Who Served in Thailand 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 Nicholas Simpson, Attorney area at Ubon RTAFB, Map of the Munitions Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 If you believe you were exposed to agent orange during the Vietnam war while serving on a Royal Thai Air Force Base, or 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. Takhli held an annual training event between March 17 and 21, 1969, and July 13 to 16, 1970, respectively. 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. Rob Portman is listed as a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 657, which would modify the presumption of a service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicides while serving in Thailand. visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for more resources. It is located in the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Isan region of Thailand. You have to prove it.. 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. Appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals, Appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Increase Veterans Affairs Disability Rating, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), VA Mental Health: Legal Help for Veterans, Veterans Affairs Compensation for Sleep Apnea, VA Rating for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Symptoms, 2023 Veterans Affairs Disability Rate Increase, Combat Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division, 1st Battalion-72nd Armor, 12th Artillery 15th Artillery, 9th Infantry, 23rd Infantry, 38th Infantry, 2nd Battalion-72nd Armor, 9th Infantry, 23rd Infantry, 31st Infantry, 38th Infantry, 3rd Battalion-23rd Infantry, 32nd Infantry, 1st Battalion-73rd Armor, 17th Infantry, 31st Infantry, 32nd Infantry, 2nd Battalion-17th Infantry, 31st Infantry, 32nd Infantry, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry, Counter Agent Company, United Nations Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area (UNSCB-JSA). 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. No. 19-2499 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR Agent Orange Exposure in Thailand - Hill & Ponton, P.A. area near the Weapons Storage and Maintenance Area at Ubon RTAFB, Map of the 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. 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. WebThis group is dedicated to the brotherhood of those who served at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base,Thailand during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange and other herbicides were used in Thailand between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. This includes those who served at military bases in Thailand, bases where Agent Orange was stored and tested. Vietnam was not the only area where herbicides were used, stored, or tested. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawyers 6940 O St, Suite 400 Lincoln, NE 68510. The wing was the first to use laser-guided bombs (LGBs) during combat in May 1968. 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. 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. These bases include: Ubon, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, Don Muang, U-Tapao, and Nakhom Phanom. The Mig- Killers were the nickname given to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. The information you obtain on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. B=l6>*@ C=*D`@}Fw< AV9! [*\ M_`oH( RANCH HAND activities in Thailand necessitate the formation of similar Rules to those in Vietnam. According to Dr. Youngs records, herbicide, such as Agent Orange and its cousins, were frequently used in routine vegetation control programs. 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. 3,048. asphalt. Are you, or someone you know, struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder? With the passage of the Agent Orange Act of 1991, the VA acknowledged that Vietnam War veterans were exposed to Agent Orange. Agent Orange exposure and VA disability compensation

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