Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center

Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) is an Air National Guard installation located at Alpena County Regional Airport in northeastern Michigan. The site traces its military aviation history to Phelps Collins Field, which was dedicated in 1931 in honor of a local World War I aviator, and it served as a training location during World War II. After the war the airfield returned to civilian use before being reactivated for Air National Guard training, and in 1991 it was renamed the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. Today the CRTC provides facilities, instruction, and airspace supporting training for the Department of Defense and other agencies. The base shares its grounds with the regional airport, which is one reason its environmental investigation has drawn close attention from state regulators and nearby residents.

Like many installations where firefighting training was conducted over many years, Alpena CRTC has documented concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in groundwater. Groundwater samples collected on the base in May 2017 showed levels above the federal lifetime health advisory in effect at the time, and the state of Michigan was notified later that year. These findings have prompted ongoing investigation and concerns about potential exposure on and near the property.

1. PFAS is a large family of synthetic chemicals valued for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. At Alpena CRTC, PFAS entered the groundwater after years of fire training activities, and contamination has been documented moving in several directions across a groundwater divide on the site. PFAS exposure has been associated in some studies with a range of health effects, and research into those associations is continuing.
2. PFOS is one of the most studied individual PFAS compounds and was a common ingredient in older firefighting foams. It was among the substances detected in groundwater at the base. PFOS has been associated with concerns about effects on the immune system, cholesterol, and other outcomes, though findings vary across studies.
3. PFOA is another widely examined PFAS compound that was historically present in foam formulations and industrial products. It was identified alongside PFOS during sampling at Alpena CRTC. PFOA has been associated in some research with potential health concerns, and federal and state agencies have continued to review the available evidence.
4. AFFF, or aqueous film forming foam, is the firefighting foam understood to be the principal source of PFAS at the base. AFFF was used during fire suppression training, and the chemicals it contained soaked into the soil and groundwater over time. Because AFFF is the common pathway for PFAS, PFOS, and PFOA at the site, concerns about its past use are central to the cleanup effort.

Alpena CRTC is not listed on the National Priorities List. Instead, the Air National Guard is responsible for investigating and, if needed, cleaning up contamination under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). After PFAS was detected, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) sampled private drinking water wells within about a one mile radius of the facility. Fieldwork for the first phase of the Remedial Investigation took place during 2023 and 2024. Reporting has noted that the cleanup timeline at Alpena and several other Michigan military sites has been delayed by years, with completion now extending to roughly 2031.

Veterans, current service members, and family members who spent time at Alpena CRTC may wish to stay informed as the investigation and cleanup move forward. Anyone with questions about possible exposure is encouraged to review information from the VA and to discuss their individual history and any health concerns with a qualified medical provider.