Jeff Fortin, Enewetak Atoll (1978-79) Glimmer of Lights

Introducing a series of narrative articles about the Atomic Cleanup Veterans of Enewetak Atoll.

The following are first-hand accounts told by comparatively few survivors of the Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission, Marshall Islands; a mission that took place from 1977-1980. Their stories appear as told to T-M Fitzgerald(published author, veteran, veteran advocate) because theirs are tales needing to be known.

Read - H.R. 5980: Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act

Introduction: “Where in the World is Enewetak?”

Enewetak is just one of many atolls and islands in the Pacific Ocean’s Marshall Island chain. Located about 2,365 nautical miles SW of Hawaii (just north of the equator), the Marshall Islands were once a major testing ground for nuclear weapons post WWII. This island chain is also home to the project called Cactus Dome, a 350’- wide blast crater located at the northern end of Runit Island that has become known as the ‘Nuclear Trashcan of the Pacific.’

Between 1948-58, forty-three nuclear weapons were detonated over Enewetak and its sister islands. Among these tests were ‘Ivy Mike’ and ‘Castle Bravo’ (a device 1000X as powerful as the bomb ‘Little Boy’ which was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan post Pearl Harbor.)

In 1977, a coalition of United States military forces and civilian support teams were sanctioned to ‘clean’ the islands of residual radioactive fallout. Men, many who were mere teenagers back in the day, were tasked with cleaning the contaminated fallout from the nuclear testing that occurred throughout the previous three decades. Keep in mind, that as recent as 2012, the United Nations reported that the cumulative effects from all that nuclear testing had effectively caused near-irreversible environmental contamination. There was a problem beginning in 1977 and currently, effects from that exposure have begun to manifest, taking toll on many surviving Enewetak vets and contractors today. Four decades later, survivors are telling their stories because the world needs to know.

Personal story by Jeff "Mac-One" Fortin

Branch: USAF Rank: A1C/SRA Specialty: Air Passenger Specialist / Backup Cargo Specialist Location: Enewetak Year: 1978-79 (two tours)

Quote: “What an exciting experience for a 20-Yr Old, first time outside the USA. Super assignment, great food, beer, and friends. I miss them all”

“I am but one of a few of the survivors of the 1977-1980 Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission that took place in the Marshall Islands.

A major focus of this group has been to help one another with information and moral support during some of the challenging times we’ve encountered following our time in service at Enewetak.

A secondary focus/goal is to urge Congress to change current law and recognize Cold War Era soldiers and contractors of the Enewetak Cleanup Mission as “veterans and workers who participated in radiation-risk activities during active service.”

What did I know about Enewetak before this mission? In January 1978, while stationed with the 63rd Military Airlift Wing, 63rd Aerial Port Squadron, my supervisor TSgt Richardson sought interested volunteers for a temporary duty (TDY) assignment to the Marshall Islands. I didn’t know anything about the islands, or the mission. I was twenty years old and up to that point had never been outside the USA. I wasn’t very happy with my assignment at Norton AFB at the time so I volunteered. I actually submitted a request for the TDY assignment. Actually, during my previous three years in the USAF. I’d had a few run-ins for minor insubordination, and although a good Airman. I’d had some unfavorable information from previous TDY's. I certainly had my moments. I really think my request was approved just to get me away from the unit. (In my defense, I have to say hey, I was young and still learning.) My request to go to Enewetak was approved. I was a bit of a ‘hot-pistol’ and not the favorite of my superiors.

“I was very adept in my duties as an Air Passenger Specialist. Having been on previous TDY assignments, my unit knew that I was qualified, albeit with some rough edges. Being fully competent in Air Terminal operations and having experience with moving passengers and cargo both inbound and outbound, my supervisor and commander both had faith that I would represent our unit well."

"Upon arrival at Enewetak five of us were assigned to Air Terminal Operations. (I remember our NCOIC was TSgt Bergdorf, and the USAF element commander was LTC Paul Crandall.) I arrived on Enewetak at the end of March 1978. My basic duty was marshalling incoming aircraft, making sure they parked on the tarmac properly. (You had to be certified by Hickam AFB to be able to marshal aircraft). I was one of the first individuals people saw when they arrived to the island. I would board the aircraft and welcome everybody and announce information about getting off the plane and securing gear. While I was on Enewetak, we’d average three aircraft a week. Part of my duties involved establishing initial contact while the planes were en route, securing the number of passengers they had as well as finding out how many pallets of cargo were on board. Most importantly, I’d also find out how many pounds of First-Class mail was due to arrive."

"Additional duties included processing of all outbound passengers. We’d have to secure all the baggage, issue boarding passes, and transport everybody to the planes. I had to collect the departure checklist to insure that all sections had been signed off for departing personnel. That made me the last person they saw before leaving the island. All cargo was handled by the remainder of the air terminal staff. After the craft departed, it was my job to write an action message for Command with departing information and have it sent by the USAF communication section."

"As a member of the airfield team, we had the responsibility of operating the field. All aircraft were supported by the air field; however we didn’t have any coordination with the US Army Huey operations, flights or passengers. I soon found myself in a unique position, having access to aircraft we bartered conch shells and other island items with various flight crews for beer (which was not offered in the PX/AFEES store.) I found myself bartering for food, steak, beer, office supplies, and much more for our team, and for parties we had at the terminal. I even managed to get a refrigerator added to the air terminal, along with a departure area for outgoing passengers. We even were able to get the old white-MAC Terminal Pick-up exchanged for a newer (old) blue pickup."

“Since our job allowed some autonomy from other USAF stationed out there, I found myself sort of the acting ‘Radar O'Reilly’ of the island. (Only my nick name was ‘Mac-One.’) Since it was my job to communicate with incoming aircraft, process passengers, and move baggage and cargo, I maintained one of the few hand-held walkie-talkies on the island.”

"Another part of my job was staging (assisting the aircraft loadmaster) of medical evacuations off the island. While I was down there, we had four medivacs - one for a Lowja Animal who passed away due to a dump truck/bulldozer accident (my first time being personally involved in carrying a coffin onboard the aircraft.) Another was for one of our airfield team members for a foot injury, another for an Army member who lost three-fingers in an industrial accident, and the last was for another industrial-type injury. Resulting from my assistance with medivac operations on Sept 21 and Sept 24, 1978 (where I assisted medical staff, and helped install the rigging to secure patients for medivac) I was given a letter of appreciation from Major Robert ‘Doc’ Means, the Staff Surgeon".

There was also a massive search-and-rescue operation that took place involving an Air Force doc and a private first class who disappeared while out kayaking in the lagoon. That operation resulted in a massive search involving the Coast Guard, helicopter, and a C130. We searched over a five-day period, covering 100 square miles from Enewetak. I was part of the island search team, and was flown by helicopter to walk all forty islands in the Marshall Chain. Despite all efforts, they were never found. That was a very sad time. (RIP Doc and PFC. I think of this often.)”

“Being so close to the equator, the climate was extremely hot. I remember having to routinely take three showers every day just to make it through the day and night. I was also a member of the Enewetak Atoll Volunteer Fire Department and we had an old O11A crash truck assigned to the airfield that supported efforts of the newer O11A crash truck on plane days. When we weren’t working, we were free to explore the island. I was also able to go snorkel and swim a few dozen times in the Enewetak Atoll Quarry which was a natural preserve of sea life, coral and sea creatures. The Tradewinds Café was our local bar/club and was a great place for poker. We could go shopping at the PX, or just otherwise kill time. I managed to get myself a part-time job on the main island running the outdoor movie theater. We had movies every weeknight and I was the guy running the projectors."

“I was given an assignment by the Joint Task Group to develop an Island evacuation plan for all the islands. (This happened as result of the Typhoon of 1979.) This plan (as well as my service for the Fire Department) resulted in my receiving the USAF Commendation Medal as well as the Humanitarian Services Medal.”

“I left the island a few weeks early in March 1979 due to cysts developing unexplainably in my left arm. After a medical exam, I was referred to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, which resulted in surgery to have the cysts removed. At the time, I was told there’d be no further issue. As a result of the medical issue, tests, and surgery I spent 30-days in the hospital in Hawaii.

Am I angry? No, although, I feel information given to us in 1978 was minimal. The scope of our missions was minimized. I feel abandoned by our government for not admitting that they placed us in a hazardous and toxic environment. The current state of health of over 50% of the Atomic Cleanup Veterans of Enewetak Atoll is verification that we were all placed at risk. The medical condition of all of us is evidence enough that the government should and absolutely needs to do more. We were essentially treated as ‘lab rats’ and weren’t even given safety guidance, or protective materials that should have been standard for the job. I feel for my Enewetak brothers and stand with them in seeking regress, compensation and access to the medical care so many of us need as result of our service to our country. We were purposefully placed in a toxic paradise.

I do not regret my military service and proudly stand by my service to my country. I would do it all again, even given the current state of my health. I loved the military. The time I shared with all of my brothers and the Lowja Animals is extremely memorable to me and I will treasure it for the rest of my life. God speed to all of us in our cause. God bless, and a moment of silence for our passed brothers; they are eternally remembered.

P.s. The cat's name was "Capt. Tomcat"

"The primary focus for this group is to urge Congress to change legislation and recognize soldiers of this seemingly forgotten cleanup mission as “veterans who participated in radiation-risk activities during active service.”

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