Air Force and Asbestos

Aircraft brakes, like vehicle brakes, commonly contained asbestos for decades. Mechanics who replaced worn brakes or cleaned brake assemblies could release dust into the air. Some aircraft used asbestos-containing materials in insulation, gaskets and heat shields near engines and exhaust systems. Maintenance often happened in hangars or shops where dust could build up over time. When describing your service, explain which aircraft you worked on, how often you handled brakes or engine components and the settings where that work took place. Specific details help reviewers understand how exposure likely occurred.

Older hangars, shops and base buildings often contained asbestos in insulation, roofing, flooring and fireproofing. Renovation or repair of these structures could release fibers, affecting both the workers and people nearby. Base heating plants and steam systems also used asbestos insulation. Airmen in civil engineering, facilities maintenance or construction roles may have worked directly with these materials. Others may have spent long hours in buildings where materials were aging or being repaired. Listing where you worked and lived on each base, and any building work you remember, helps build the exposure picture.

Your Air Force specialty code, duty stations and unit assignments help show your likely exposure. Maintenance records and training documents can support descriptions of your duties. Fellow airmen who worked in the same shop can provide statements about the tasks you did and the conditions in the hangar or flight line. Because reviewers may be less familiar with aviation-related exposure, a clear, detailed account is especially useful. Keep copies of everything you submit, and ask a veterans service officer to help organize the evidence for a VA claim.

1. 1

   List your Air Force specialty codes, aircraft types and the bases where you worked on each.

2. 2

   Describe how often you handled brakes, engine insulation or heat-resistant components.

3. 3

   Note any building repair, renovation or heating plant work you performed or were near.

4. 4

   Ask former shop coworkers for written statements about daily maintenance tasks.