U.S. Air Force veterans faced asbestos exposure in aircraft maintenance, hangars, boiler rooms, base infrastructure, and living quarters. Exposure was especially common during the 1940s through the 1980s when asbestos was used extensively in aircraft components, brake systems, engine insulation, and base construction. Air Force veterans can pursue both VA claims and legal compensation.
Sources of Air Force Asbestos Exposure
- Aircraft brakes and clutches — asbestos was standard in military aircraft brakes until the 1990s
- Engine insulation and gaskets — asbestos components in turbine and piston aircraft engines
- Heat shields — asbestos used around engine exhausts and cockpits
- Hangar insulation — asbestos in hangar ceilings and walls
- Base power plants — asbestos in boilers and steam systems
- Barracks and housing — asbestos insulation, floor tiles, and roofing
- Missile silos and command centers — extensive asbestos insulation
Higher-Risk Air Force Occupations
- Crew Chiefs — responsible for daily aircraft maintenance
- Engine Mechanics — worked directly with asbestos engine components
- Hydraulic System Specialists — handled asbestos-containing gaskets
- Structural Repair Technicians — worked with asbestos insulation materials
- Civil Engineering personnel — construction and maintenance of bases
- Boiler Plant Operators — exposed to asbestos in base power plants