Posted by ROBERT G CROPPER (Bob) on 5/30/2019, 10:13:25
Need a buddy statement for the VA from anyone that served with me. I was in the USAF, flight line, crew chief. Have trouble remembering names. Any help would be appreciated. email to cphinz@outlook.com or call 75 810 1265 cell
Thanks so much!
Re: 1968 - 1969 Takhli
Posted by John Guilbert on 5/31/2019, 14:16:36, in reply to "1968 - 1969 Takhli"
Just emailed you a buddy letter.
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Need a buddy statement for the VA from anyone that served with me. I was in the USAF, flight line, crew chief. Have trouble remembering names. Any help would be appreciated. email to cphinz@outlook.com or call 75 810 1265 cell
Thanks so much!
Re: 1968 - 1969 Takhli
Posted by ROBERT G CROPPER (Bob) on 6/3/2019, 9:25:04, in reply to "Re: 1968 - 1969 Takhli"
. I was in Tahkli from Nov 67 to Oct 68 working on F-105 fighters. I was in the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician. All of our aircraft were parked in the metal revetments filled with sand. I can testify the spraying of herbicide on the vegetation growing out of the revetments. We would go to the end of the runway and do last minute inspections of our fighters prior to take-off.
I am dealing with IBS, Celiac, Sleep Apnea, Diabetes, Loss of Hearing and Neuropathy of both feet. I am currently filing a claim with the VA which has proved very difficult. They want “buddy” statements attesting to the fact that herbicides were sprayed along the base perimeter and near the flight-lines.
I was at Takhli in 1966, with the 333rd also a aircraft mechanic. The Checo Report verifies herbicide spraying around Thailand based for defense purposes. US Army Field Manual 3-3 covers herbicide spraying and drift area, see section 5 chapter 5 last paragraph about 500 meter drift zone. End of runway, trim pad and munitions storage (where start cartridges were stored) are all in the drift zone. Do you homework, lots of good info out there, you need to prove you were on or near the perimeter at Takhli. I used the Takhli base map on this site and hand colored the drift zone on it. If you need more help let's us know, we've been there too!
Re: 1968 - 1969 Takhli
Posted by Gerald Warren on 6/13/2019, 12:50:59, in reply to "1968 - 1969 Takhli"
Just sent you an email with something that I hope will help you. The phone number you have listed is incomplete on the post so hopefully the email will go through.
They are really being stupid on acceptance of "proof" and granting the claim.
Since you worked the flight line as a crew chief there should be a bunch of guys out there that can say they did the same job and specify their location.
Lou, I just got another denial letter and they didn't even look or consider the drift zones or anything other than my location on the perimeter. I worked the post office and went off base to the city on duty and even had a buddy letter from one of the guys that worked with me. Court case where the historical society said they sprayed herbicides in 1969 on Takhli and a bunch of other information. Had an evaluation saying I was assigned to the section that made runs downtown and the whole 9 yards.
Their denial letter stated the buddy letter tried to explain and verify that was the duty of people assigned there but my buddy letter didn't say the airman saw me drive through the gate.
Don't know about their new appeal process but it only took about 6 weeks for this response. My VA rep was as confused by their decision that we both decided to take it to the board.
Even waiting a couple of months for a denial letter then trying something else adds up to time. My rep said we might get a video appeal within a year with the new process. He also said it may be easier to, look someone in the eye and explain.
Still waiting.. Oh, they even conceded I did have medical issues that are related to my claim. Crazy man!! I am not giving up this time though..
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I was at Takhli in 1966, with the 333rd also a aircraft mechanic. The Checo Report verifies herbicide spraying around Thailand based for defense purposes. US Army Field Manual 3-3 covers herbicide spraying and drift area, see section 5 chapter 5 last paragraph about 500 meter drift zone. End of runway, trim pad and munitions storage (where start cartridges were stored) are all in the drift zone. Do you homework, lots of good info out there, you need to prove you were on or near the perimeter at Takhli. I used the Takhli base map on this site and hand colored the drift zone on it. If you need more help let's us know, we've been there too!
Not sure where exactly you are overall in the VA process. Please email me and we can discuss further. My gut is to stay away from the new appeal process, I understand there may be no recourse if denied, but remember that is my gut feeling and I am NOT a VSO approved by the VA or any organization. If there is any mention of "if you disagree with this decision" or anything like that start working on your appeal now.LOUB.
Re: 1968 - 1969 Takhli
Posted by ROBERT G CROPPER (Bob) on 6/15/2019, 9:45:05, in reply to "Re: 1968 - 1969 Takhli"
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