I have received dozens of personal accounts about miscarriages, stillbirths, birth defects, and childhood cancers at George Air Force Base. Here are some excerpts from these accounts:
- “When I arrived at the base [George AFB] in Oct 81, they told us during our inbrief that there was a high infant mortality rate and females should consider NOT getting pregnant while assigned there.” G. A.
- “I was told during in brief they had high infant mortality rate and females should not get pregnant”
- “I was asked to donate my infant’s body for scientific research by an airforce OB/GYN, Dr. …“
- “I was asked to donate her body ‘to science’ so they could study this rare case of …“
- “I was a healthy 19 year old with 2 failed pregnancies when he told me I might want to consider not having children for 1 or 2 years …“
- “The two who were born at GAFB, both had babies born with birth defects.“
- “A family friend’s two youngest daughters were born at George, and when they grew up and had kids, both of their firstborn children had the same serious birth defect.“
- “My daughter also had all of her intestines on the outside, stomach and part of her liver too.“
- “I was there from 81-85. Could never have children.“
- “My ex-wife and I tried to get pregnant while I was there from 86-90, but it didn’t work“
- “Lost a set of twins and my daughter had birth defects when she was born. Ran into our babysitters parents at Lackland. She was there and died from cancer….she was 16.“
- Did the Department of Veterans Affairs tell you that there was a potential problem at George? “NO“.
- Did the Department of Defense or Air Force tell you that there was a potential problem at George? “NO“.
- “The military suddenly couldn’t find my medical records“
- “The AF couldn’t find my child’s medical records“
- “San Bernardino County couldn’t find my child’s death certificate“
- “The AF did not file my child’s death certificate with San Bernardino County“
George AFB’s potentially high infant mortality, birth-defects, and/or high childhood cancer rate were not reported to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) for the Health Assessment of George AFB.
FOIA Request:
This page was updated on: 10/05/2014
I am curious how far the contamination spread. I spent my pre-teen and teen years in San Bernadino county. I was diagnosed with “fibromyalgia” in my teen years…was never able to get pregnant other than a suspected early term miscarriage until I was 30. My daughter seems healthy enough, but I have had three more early-term miscarriages in the past two years 🙁
Lynda,
It depends where you lived in San Bernardino County. George AFB is in San Bernardino county. However, it is not possible for the contamination that was at George AFB to reach the City of San Bernardino.
I would search the EPA Superfund Site list. See: http://www.epa.gov/region9/cleanup/california.html
IF you did live near a Superfund Site go to: http://georgeafb.info/can-get-help-others/
Scroll down the page to the section “My adult nonmilitary family member is sick or deceased”
Follow the instructions.
Frank
Frank, thanks again for your service and for trying. You are good to keep trying. I know this has been a thankless mission for you with no reward. I did send a couple letters through the DOD and also through to Erin Brochovich in California, but with no results. I have also posted your GAFB updates on FB and two of my friends that served at GAFB. At the risk of offending you Frank, I am a Christian and I do pray for you and all of the people that have been harmed past and present by service st GAFB. At least know Frank that you are appreciated and I think you will be repaid at some time.
Ray Cook