The Hidden Hazard in Aviation
From its founding in 1947 through the early 1980s, the U.S. Air Force relied on asbestos to keep aircraft fireproof and durable. The same heat resistance that made asbestos valuable for fighter jets and bombers would prove devastating for the mechanics who maintained them — and for countless other airmen exposed to the material on bases across the globe.
Air Force veterans from this era now face elevated mesothelioma risk, a consequence of exposure that occurred decades before the military acknowledged asbestos dangers.
Where Asbestos Lurked
Aircraft Components
Asbestos appeared throughout military aircraft, concentrated in areas where heat resistance was critical. Brake systems contained the highest concentrations — some aircraft brakes were 16 to 23 percent asbestos by weight. Every landing, every taxi, every brake application released microscopic fibers.
Beyond brakes, asbestos appeared in:
- Engine gaskets and seals
- Heat shields protecting crew compartments
- Electrical insulation and wiring
- Adhesives bonding aircraft components
- Fireproofing materials throughout fuselages
For pilots and flight crews, the exposure was relatively limited. For the mechanics who serviced these aircraft, it was constant.
Maintenance and Repair Work
The Environmental Working Group found that aircraft mechanics faced the highest asbestos exposure risk among Air Force personnel. The work itself created danger: grinding brake pads, replacing gaskets, servicing engines, cleaning components. Each task released fibers that mechanics inhaled in hangars and repair bays.
Ventilation in maintenance facilities was often inadequate. Asbestos fibers released during one repair job could remain suspended in the air for hours, exposing everyone in the vicinity — not just the mechanic performing the work.
Other high-risk Air Force occupations included:
- Sheet metal workers
- Welders and metalsmiths
- Electronic technicians
- Fire control specialists
- Construction crews
- Boiler operators
Base Infrastructure
Air Force bases relied on the same asbestos-containing construction materials found throughout the military. Barracks, hangars, administrative buildings, and housing all incorporated asbestos insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, and roofing materials.
The asbestos problem on bases persists today. In 2024, a demolition project at Aviano Air Base in Italy was halted after workers discovered asbestos. In 2023, Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base required careful demolition procedures due to extensive asbestos contamination. A 2021 lawsuit by military families at Lackland alleged asbestos, mold, and lead paint in base housing.
For airmen who lived on these bases, exposure was unavoidable. Walking on vinyl asbestos floors, sleeping in insulated barracks, working in offices with asbestos ceiling tiles — the cumulative exposure over a service career could be substantial.
The Latency Gap
Mesothelioma takes 10 to 50 years to develop after exposure. An aircraft mechanic who serviced jets in Vietnam might not receive a diagnosis until the 2020s. This extended timeline means veterans often don’t connect their illness to military service — and may not realize they’re entitled to benefits.
The Air Force’s heaviest asbestos use occurred from the late 1940s through the 1970s. Veterans who served during this period remain at elevated risk, with diagnoses continuing to occur as the latency clock runs out.
2024 Developments
The VA expanded medical care eligibility in 2024 for Air Force veterans exposed to toxic substances during service. Veterans meeting basic service requirements who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge may now qualify for care related to toxic exposures, including asbestos.
This expansion recognizes what many veterans have known for decades: military service carried invisible hazards that didn’t become apparent until years after discharge.
VA Benefits
Mesothelioma automatically qualifies for a 100% disability rating from the VA — the highest level available. As of 2025, a single veteran with a 100% rating receives at least $3,831.30 monthly, with higher amounts for veterans with dependents.
Air Force veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma should:
- Gather service records documenting your assignments, duties, and locations
- Document exposure history: which aircraft you worked on, which bases you served at
- Obtain medical records confirming your diagnosis
- File a VA disability claim connecting your mesothelioma to service
The VA has become increasingly responsive to asbestos-related claims as the connection between military service and mesothelioma has become undeniable.
Additional Compensation
VA benefits are just one potential source of compensation. Air Force veterans can also pursue:
- Asbestos trust fund claims: Over $30 billion remains in trusts established by bankrupt asbestos companies
- Lawsuits against manufacturers: Companies that supplied asbestos products to the military can be held liable
- Workers’ compensation: For veterans who faced additional exposure in civilian careers
These options don’t affect VA benefits. Veterans can receive compensation from multiple sources simultaneously.
Mesothelioma automatically qualifies for a 100% disability rating. Gather your service records, document your exposure history, and file a claim. The VA has become increasingly responsive to asbestos-related claims from veterans.
What Air Force jobs had the highest asbestos exposure?▼
Aircraft mechanics faced the highest exposure risk from servicing brakes, gaskets, and engines. Other high-risk occupations included sheet metal workers, welders, electronic technicians, fire control specialists, construction crews, and boiler operators on Air Force bases.
Can I get VA benefits for mesothelioma?▼
Yes. Mesothelioma automatically qualifies for a 100% VA disability rating—the highest level available. As of 2025, a single veteran with a 100% rating receives at least $3,831.30 monthly. You need to file a claim with service records and medical documentation.
I was exposed decades ago. Am I still at risk?▼
Yes. Mesothelioma has a latency period of 10 to 50 years. Veterans who served during the Air Force’s heaviest asbestos use (late 1940s through 1970s) remain at elevated risk. Diagnoses continue to occur as the latency period runs its course.
Can I receive compensation beyond VA benefits?▼
Yes. VA benefits don’t affect other compensation sources. Air Force veterans can also pursue asbestos trust fund claims (over $30 billion available), lawsuits against manufacturers who supplied asbestos to the military, and workers’ compensation for civilian exposure.