Have you served on any of the ships outlined in this article?

2015-11-30T09:46:19-05:00

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/11/25/va-updates-list-navy-ships-presumptive-agent-orange-exposure/76366472/

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Nov 30 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-11-30T10:07:55-05:00

Thanks. I passed along the info to my buddies from the Biddle who served during that time.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Nov 30 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-11-30T10:15:23-05:00

Sgt Spencer Sikder I read this over the weekend. It is about damned time that they are acknowledging that deploying an airborne agent doesn't mean that it is going to remain where it was deployed. I sincerely hope that any who are suffering from the exposure get the help that is needed.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 30 at 2015 10:43 AM

2015-11-30T10:43:39-05:00

Yes, but two decades later. I'm glad the VA has updated the Blue Water Navy list...

Response by PO1 Bernard Bongolan made Nov 30 at 2015 11:27 AM

2015-11-30T11:27:11-05:00

Sgt. Spencer Skider I've served on the USS FLINT 1988-1992. The Flint was not listed on that list outlined in the article. But I have researched the flint history and here's what I found. Since the Flint was Ammunition Supply Ship, I was wondering if it might have carried some Agent Orange munitions.?

USS Flint was commissioned under the command of Captain Philip R. Bush following extensive sea trials.[citation needed] The ship then made a transit through the Panama Canal to its home port of Naval Weapons Station,Concord, California.

Flint made its first Western Pacific (WestPac) deployment in fall of 1972. It participated in numerous underway replenishment activities with ships of the US 7th Fleet in support of military operations off the coast of Vietnam including resupply of gunline destroyers and aircraft carriers participating in Operation Linebacker and Operation Linebacker II. Itshelicopter detachment flew hundreds of sorties ferrying munitions to US naval ships in the operational theatre.

Captain Bush was relieved as Commanding Officer by Captain Thomas Rogers in December, 1972.[citation needed] In subsequent deployments in 1973-1974 and 1974–1975,Flint was assigned to naval forces in the Gulf of Aden in support of operations monitoring the Yom Kippur War, the Vietnam evacuation task force (Operation Frequent Wind) and rescue forces involved in the Mayagüez incident.

Captain Rogers was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander John K. Ferguson in early 1974.[citation needed]

Flint served as ammunition supply ship during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 1990 to 1992, under Cmdr. Skirm and Capt. Thompson.[citation needed]

Cmdr. John M. MacIntyre of Coronado, California, was the final commanding officer of the ship.[citation needed] The ship was under the operational command of Commander, Logistics Group 1.

Flint completed 15 deployments to the western Pacific and received recognition for the dramatic 1978 rescue of 86 fishermen shipwrecked near Palawan Island, Philippines, during a typhoon.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 30 at 2015 6:18 PM

2015-11-30T18:18:38-05:00

All before my time but thanks for the heads up. They probably haven't figured out what I was exposed too and all it's problems yet.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Nov 30 at 2015 6:51 PM

2015-11-30T18:51:04-05:00

In answer to your question YES... I Served on Two of the listed ships.. ..1971, USS Juneau LPD 10, and also 1970-1971, the USS Okinawa LPH 3... That Said Sir, along with $0.50 will get you a cup of coffee.. These ships may be listed by the VA.. however, the VA does not always honor what is in black and white !! Two ships listed by VA !!, Two diseases that THEY (VA) list as related to Exposure, A/O !! 13 Operations, Battling With VA since 2008, STILL AT IT !!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Dec 1 at 2015 1:23 AM

2015-12-01T01:23:22-05:00

Thanks for sharing. I'm going to share this list with some of my motorcycle riding brothers who are Vietnam veterans.

Response by CDR Kenneth Kaiser made Dec 4 at 2015 2:56 AM

2015-12-04T02:56:52-05:00

Ships no PBRs yes