Wurtsmith is in Oscoda, Michigan which is about 2 and a half hours north
of Detroit.

Wurtsmith got it's start in 1923 as Loud-Reames Aviation Field and was used
by planes from Selfridge Field.  In 1924 it was renamed Camp Skeel and used
as an aerial gunnery range until World War II.

In 1942, a hard concrete airstrip was added and it was renamed Oscoda Army
Air Field.  It was used to train Free French Pilots and as a stopover for
transient aircraft.

In 1953, it was renamed Wurtsmith Air Force base after Michigan native
Paul B. Wurtsmith was killed in a B-25 crash.  In 1955, it became a 
permanant installation where it was used to train fighter-interceptor
pilots.

In 1960, the base was transferred to the Strategic Air Command and it was
used for B-52 Bombers and KC-135 aircraft.  It was used in this capacity
until it was closed in 1993.

This is a representation of a pilot from the 379th Bomb Wing which was
housed at Wurtsmith.  He would be a pilot from the early 90's, perhaps
one that dropped bombs during Desert Storm.









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