The Air Force, Asbestos Exposure, and Mesothelioma Cancer
Many U.S. Air Force personnel encountered asbestos during service. While many have already developed an asbestos-related disease, more are still at risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma cancer. VA benefits are available to those who qualify.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you might be entitled to substantial compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your highest compensation
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Free Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your highest compensation
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
The Ever Present Danger of Asbestos in the Air Force
Established in 1947 by the National Security Act, the U.S. Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the military and the youngest of the nation’s armed forces. Originally part of the U.S. Army and operating under various names from 1907 to 1947, the Air Force has participated in many military and humanitarian operations.
Most of the asbestos used by the federal government occurred throughout the Air Force’s formative years and continued for decades.
Since the War Department created the Army Signal Corps’ Aeronautical Division in the summer of 1907, officers and enlisted men lived and worked in bases and installations built with asbestos-laden materials.
Abundant and naturally-occurring, asbestos is a group of six fibrous minerals that can resist fire, high temperatures, chemical reactions, and electrical discharges.
As a result, many industries used asbestos to make insulation, construction materials, and even garments that withstand heat and fire.
The U.S. government became one of the asbestos industry’s largest customers. Every branch of the military wanted to protect personnel, facilities, and equipment from fire, extreme heat, and electric shocks. At the time, asbestos was touted as a safe and efficient fire and heat-resistance mineral.
Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used in barracks, hangars, aircraft repair facilities, fire stations, administration buildings, fuel storage tanks, and motor pools. Asbestos-laced cement and other materials were used to construct on-base housing for officers, enlisted personnel, and their families.
Every air base built between 1907 and 1980 was constructed with ACMs. This includes facilities set up when the Air Force was a semi-independent organization within the Army.
The most extensive use of asbestos occurred between 1939 and the early 1970s, which coincided with the Army Air Force’s expansion during World War II, the establishment of the independent service, and the Cold War.
Peak Use of Asbestos By the Air Force During World War II
To understand the magnitude of the Air Force’s asbestos problem, it is important to remember that by July of 1944, the then-Army Air Forces operated 79,908 aircraft and had 2.4 million members.
During World War II, the Air Force built hundreds of bases in the U.S. and overseas, using asbestos in many areas while expanding those already in existence.
While constructing, the military used a large scale use of asbestos which exposed service personnel to the toxic mineral, no matter what their jobs were or where they were posted.
While not all Air Force veterans who served in the 1940s suffer from the effects of asbestos-related diseases, at least 3,000 new cases a year are diagnosed.
Asbestos in the Postwar Air Force
During post-World War II, the independent Air Force still had a large number of bases and installations which contained asbestos. Further, many aircraft built between 1947 and 1980 contained parts made with ACMs.
Starting in 1973, studies carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially linked asbestos exposure to lung cancer, asbestosis, and malignant mesothelioma.
The Defense Department stopped using asbestos and ACMs for new construction and in Air Force equipment in 1980, but many older installations still contain large amounts of the cancer-causing material.
VA Claims for Air Force Veterans
Qualifying veterans and their families have access to several types of compensation and other benefits through the VA:
- Disability compensation
- Special montly compensation
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
- Healthcare
United States Air Force Bases with Possible Asbestos Exposure
Alabama:
- Maxwell AFB and Gunter Annex, Montgomery
- Brookley AFB, Mobile
Alaska:
- Eielson AFB, Moose Creek
- Elmendorf-Richardson AFB, Anchorage
- Ladd AFB, Fairbanks
Arizona:
- Luke AFB, Glendale
- Williams AFB, Mesa
California:
- Edwards AFB, Rosamond
- Hamilton Field AFB, San Pablo Bay
- March Air Reserve Base, Riverside County
- McClellan AFB, Riverside
- Norton AFB, San Bernardino
- Travis AFB, Travis
- Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc
Colorado:
- Lowry AFB, Denver
Delaware:
- Dover AFB, Dover
Florida:
- Eglin AFB, Eglin
- Homestead AFB, Homestead
- MacDill AFB, Tampa
- Orlando AFB, Orlando
- Patrick AFB, Brevard County
- Tyndall AFB, Panama City
Georgia:
- Dobbins AFB, Marietta
- Hunter AFB, Savannah
- Robins AFB, Warner Robins
Hawaii:
- Hickam AFB, Oahu
Illinois:
- Chanute AFB, Rantoul
- Scott AFB, St. Clair County
Indiana:
- Bakalar AFB, Columbus
- Bunker Hill AFB, Kokomo
Kansas:
- Forbes AFB, Topeka
- McConnell AFB, Wichita
- Schilling AFB, Saline County
Louisiana:
- Barksdale AFB, Bossier City
Maine:
- Air National Guard, Bangor
- Loring AFB, Limestone
Massachusetts:
- Hanscom AFB, Hanscom
- Westover Air Reserve, Springfield
Michigan:
- K.I. Sawyer AFB, Marquette County
- Selfridge AFB, Harrison
Minnesota:
- Duluth Air National Guard, Duluth
Missouri:
- Richards-Gebaur AFB, Kansas City
- Whiteman AFB, Knob Noster
New York:
- Griffiss AFB, Rome
- Hancock AFB, Syracuse
Ohio:
- Rickenbacker AFB, Columbus
- Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton
Oklahoma:
- Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City
Pennsylvania:
- Harrisburg Air National Guard, Harrisburg
Rhode Island:
- Rhode Island Air National Guard
South Carolina:
- Charleston AFB, Charleston
- Donaldson AFB, Greenville
- Shaw AFB, Sumter
South Dakota:
- Ellsworth AFB, Piedmont
Tennessee:
- Arnold AFB, Franklin County
Texas:
- Amarillo AFB, Potter County
- Bergstrom AFB, Austin
- Brooks AFB, San Antonio
- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve, Fort Worth
- James Connally AFB, Waco
- Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo
- Kelly AFB, San Antonio
- Laredo AFB, Laredo
- Midland AFB, Midland/Odessa
- Reese AFB, Fort Worth
- Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls
Utah:
- Hill AFB, Ogden
Washington
- Fairchild AFB, Spokane
- Larson AFB, Grant County
- McChord AFB, Pierce County
Wisconsin:
- Truax AFB, Madison
Additional Information and Legal Assistance
If you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may for significant compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your highest compensation
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Page Reviewed and Edited by Mesothelioma Attorney Paul Danziger
Paul Danziger grew up in Houston, Texas and earned a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. For over 25 years years he has focused on representing mesothelioma cancer victims and others hurt by asbestos exposure. Paul and his law firm have represented thousands of people diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, recovering significant compensation for injured clients. Every client is extremely important to Paul and he will take every call from clients who want to speak with him. Paul and his law firm handle mesothelioma cases throughout the United States.