Donald Branscum

I was a sergeant assigned to USAF, 1st TFW/71st AMU, Langley, AFB, VA deployed to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. 1st Tactical Fighter Wing was the first military unit into Saidi Arabia.

First In, First Aerial Kill and First Out. Aug 7, 1990 to March 24, 1991. Perfect setting for being the first fighter wing in USAF history. The 71st AMU nickname is Ironmen and we had to be battling 115 degree heat wearing nearly full chemical gear for the first couple of weeks in country, performing real life integrated combat turns, maintaining constant aerial combat missions with F-15C model aircraft and thankful no scud missiles fell down on us.

– Donald Branscum
Norco, Calif.

 

Veterans and Supporters Advocate for the Addition of Blood Cancers to Service-Connected Conditions Under the PACT Act

  Veterans and supporters are pushing for the addition of certain blood cancers to the list of service-connected conditions under the PACT Act, a move that could grant expedited healthcare and benefits to Gulf War and Post-9/11 Veterans. The VA is conducting a...

Happy 76th Birthday, U.S. Air Force

September 18, 1947 marks the day the United States Air Force was officially established. However, its roots trace back to the early 20th century, when military aviation first took flight. Pioneering the Skies: The 20th Century In 1907, the U.S. Army Signal Corps took...

VA Health Care Special Enrollment Period for PACT Act Benefits Set to End Sept. 30

  The next major PACT Act deadline for some Veterans is slated for Sept. 30, 2023.  A special enrollment period will allow eligible Veterans to bypass the normal application process for VA benefits and enroll directly in VA health care. To be eligible, the...

Letter to the Editor: No Purple Heart for a Wounded Vietnam Veteran

Good morning, Christian I am a member of Post 0291 Newport. I want to ask you a question on the criteria of a Purple Heart. Today if a Soldier gets hurt by an IED he is awarded a Purple Heart; yet I was blown out of my truck in Vietnam after hitting a land mine and...

Purple Heart Day: Honoring Our Fallen and the Wounded Veterans Who Endeavor Beyond Their Service

  962,403 — 137,023 — 200,740 — 615 — 36,412 — 22,499: the estimated number of fallen and wounded Service Members in each major U.S. conflict since World War II to have been awarded at least one Purple Heart, based on casualty research conducted by both the...

California Veterans news roundup: July 31, 2023

Our last California Veterans news roundup largely focuses on updates from the VA on several topics, including new avenues of medical research, the upcoming PACT Act deadline, and more. Readers are encouraged to send Veterans-related stories to news@calegion.org. ...

Veterans Toxic Exposure Information

  Veterans who served in the military may have been exposed to various toxic hazards during their time in service. Recognizing the potential health risks associated with toxic exposure, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is dedicated to providing support to...

San Diego Automotive Museum: Honoring San Diego’s Military Legacy

  In honor of Military Appreciation Month, San Diego Automotive Museum unveiled its latest exhibit, "Salute to San Diego's Troops," featuring two legendary military combat vehicles, a 1942 Willys MB Jeep and 1985 Humvee. The exhibit's centerpiece, a 1942 Willys...

VA offers PACT Act implementation update, over $1 billion in benefits awarded since January 1

On April 26, the VA announced that over 500,000 toxic exposure-related claims have been filed since the PACT Act was signed last August. Provisions in the PACT Act create a presumptive basis that military service is the cause of dozens of medical conditions, therefore...

Anniversary of the U.S.-led victory in the Persian Gulf War

On Feb. 28, 1991, a coalition force led by the United States liberated Kuwait from Iraqi invaders, defeating one of the world’s largest militaries in days and returning the Persian Gulf to a state of relative peace. Prelude to the Persian Gulf War Mired in debt from...
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