This graphic depicts the locations of Auxillary Field #2 and range 52, located on Eglin Air Force Base property in Okaloosa County. Both sites are in areas closed to all forms of public access. (Graphic by Romi White)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the January 2020 release of an updated Department of Defense (DoD) list of locations outside of Vietnam where tactical herbicides were used, tested, or stored by the United States military.
Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service may be eligible for a variety of VA benefits, including an Agent Orange Registry health exam, health care, and disability compensation for diseases associated with exposure. Their dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits, per the VA.
”DoD will continue to be responsive to the needs of our interagency partners in all matters related to taking care of both current and former service members,” said Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper. ”The updated list includes Agents Orange, Pink, Green, Purple, Blue and White and other chemicals and will be updated as verifiable information becomes available.”
DoD conducted a thorough review of research, reports, and Government publications in response to a November 2018 Government Accountability Office report, according to a January 27 press release.
”This update was necessary to improve accuracy and communication of information,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. ”VA depends on DoD to provide information regarding in-service environmental exposure for disability claims based on exposure to herbicides outside of Vietnam.”
Eglin AFB sites included on the updated list follow:
Location: Eglin AFB
Date: November – December 1952
Site: Field #2 and Bombing Ranges 52 and 57. Two series of chemical anticrop aerial spray trails.
Location: Eglin AFB
Date: March – April 1953
Site: Evaluation of Large Capacity Bomb Bay Spray Tank Assembly in B-29 and C-119 aircraft. Installation of system in aircraft; filling test using agent; dump test using water.
Location: Eglin AFB
Date: June 1962
Site: Field 2, unused portion of the runway. Flow rate calibration of C-123.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: June 24, 27; July 1, 4, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 1962
Site: Range 52 South; Swath width and particle size determination using C-123 aircraft.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: July 18-21, 1962
Site: Range 52 South, Swath width and particle size determination using HUS-1 helicopter.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: May – July 1963
Site: Range 52 South, Determine the effective swath widths for each system under specified conditions.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: October 2-23, 1963 (Specific date not specified but done prior to spray flights)
Site: Eglin Test Range C-52A. (C-130) Flow rate calibrations. Tests were run on the ground using a 32-foot canvas trough to collect spray and funnel it into a 500-gallon catch tank.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: October 24 – December 29, 1963. All flights conducted from approximately 0430 to 0730 CST.
Site: CB grid on C-52A south. Multiple passes were done on each day at varying altitudes and flow rate.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: May 19, 1964
Site: C52A. Ground calibrations. A 32-foot canvas trough was used to collect and funnel the spray.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: May 21 – June 13, 1964
Site: Fifty-three spray flights made across the CB Defoliant Grid located on Test Area C-52 South.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: June 26 – July 9, 1964
Site: Southwest quarter of the CB grid at Eglin Test Range C-52A. C-123 ground flow rate calibrations on the A/A 45Y-1 dispenser to determine the accuracy of the flowmeter. Thirteen tests were run on ground using a 32-foot canvas trough to collect spray and funnel it into a 500-gallon catch tank.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: July 10-22, 1964
Site: Southwest quarter of the CB grid at C-52A. C-123 flights to determine the ground characteristics of the A/A 45Y-1 dispenser. Multiple passes were done each day at varying altitudes and flow rates.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: July 7- November 6, 1965
Site: CB grid. Developmental test and evaluation of the COIN defoliant dispenser, A/B 23Y-1, installed on an A-1E aircraft. Thirty-seven flights were conducted.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: April 14-22, 1966
Site: CB grid at C-52A. Cessna 206 Super Skywagon with specially fabricated spray equipment was flown over the southwest corner of the CB Grid.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: June 20 – November 8, 1968
Site: CB grid C-52A. Aerial testing was conducted on the sampler grid located in the southwest corner of the CB grid.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: December 20, 1968; January 10, 13, 14, 21; February 4; March 11, 20, 25 and April 1, 7, 24, 30; May 1, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; June 3, 5, 9, 10, July 1, 7, 24, 28, 30, 31; August 7, 11, 21, 1969.
Site: CB grid C-. Determine the ground depositions and swath widths for defoliants using the US-123K/A/A45Y-1 system with 22-foot wing booms.
Location: Eglin AFB test range
Date: November 4, 12, 17, 25; December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1969.
Site: CB grid at C-52A. Evaluation of the TMU-28/B spray tank as an interim capability for dispensing defoliant by high-speed aircraft.
Veterans may be eligible for a free Agent Orange Registry health exam. Veterans do not have to file a disability compensation claim to receive the exam. Contact a local VA Environmental Health Coordinator about getting an Agent Orange Registry health exam.
Deborah Campbell is the local VA Environmental Health Coordinator and can be reached at (850) 912-2427 or vhabilregistrycoordinators@va.gov.
