How Was Asbestos Used on U.S. Military Bases?
Asbestos was used extensively on hundreds of military bases because it’s durable, affordable, and heat resistant. These qualities made it particularly useful in insulation and construction materials across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
As a result, millions of U.S. military veterans were put at risk of developing mesothelioma. Those affected may be able to access compensation from VA benefits claims and lawsuits against asbestos-related companies.
Asbestos on military bases could be found in:
- Aircraft: Brakes, insulation, and engines on aircraft often contained asbestos to ensure heat resistance and fire safety. Maintenance crews faced significant exposure risks during routine servicing.
- Buildings and barracks: Military bases were often built with asbestos-containing materials like roofing, flooring, insulation, and drywall. From barracks to offices and medical facilities, these materials became hazardous when damaged or deteriorated.
- Equipment and machinery: Boilers, pumps, and industrial machinery across military bases often contained asbestos.
- Ships: Naval vessels used asbestos in boiler rooms, pipes, and engine areas to prevent fires and manage high temperatures. Sailors and shipyard workers were often exposed during construction, operation, and repairs.
- Vehicles: Asbestos was used in brake pads, clutches, and engine parts to reduce heat and wear in military vehicles. This exposed service members working as mechanics or vehicle operators to dangerous asbestos dust.
Many companies that made or sold asbestos-containing products to the military knew they were dangerous but hid the risks to protect their profits.
At Sokolove Law, we have VA-accredited attorneys on staff who can determine how you may have been exposed to asbestos — and which companies may be to blame.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
We’ve secured over $1.3 Billion for military veterans with asbestos-related illnesses. Let Sokolove Law help you get the money you deserve.
Military Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma Risks
When asbestos-containing products used on military bases were damaged, microscopic asbestos fibers could be released into the air.
Service members nearby could breathe in or swallow these fibers, which may get stuck in the body and irritate healthy tissue.
Military asbestos exposure can result in many serious illnesses, like:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
Because these illnesses can take 20-50 years to develop, veterans exposed to asbestos on military bases decades ago may still be at risk of getting sick today.
Families who lived on military bases with asbestos may also be at risk. Their loved ones could have unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on their clothes, resulting in secondhand exposure.
Asbestos in U.S. Army Barracks
Asbestos could be found in the construction materials used to build U.S. Army barracks, as well as in different vehicles and equipment found on bases.
U.S. Army bases that used asbestos include:
- Biggs Army Airfield
- Camp Bowie
- Camp Bullis
- Camp Dodge
- Camp Haan
- Camp Mabry
- Camp Mackall
- Camp Murray
- Camp Navajo
- Camp Roberts
- Camp Swift
- Fort AP Hill
- Fort Belvoir
- Fort Benning
- Fort Bliss
- Fort Bragg
- Fort Campbell
- Fort Carson
- Fort DeRussy
- Fort Des Moines
- Fort Detrick
- Fort Devens
- Fort Dix
- Fort Drum
- Fort Eustis
- Fort Gillem
- Fort Gordon
- Fort Greely
- Fort Hamilton
- Fort Hood
- Fort Irwin
- Fort Jackson
- Fort Knox
- Fort Lee
- Fort McCoy
- Fort McPherson
- Fort Meade
- Fort Monroe
- Fort Myer
- Fort Pickett
- Fort Polk
- Fort Riley
- Fort Rucker
- Fort Shafter
- Fort Sill
- Fort Stewart
- Fort Wainwright
- Picatinny Arsenal
- Pine Bluff Arsenal
- Sierra Army Depot
- US Military Academy
- Watervliet Arsenal
- Yakima Training Center
- Yuma Proving Ground
Don’t see your base listed? Contact us. We have a proprietary database of evidence on asbestos exposure, job sites and bases, and products used there.
Between 1996 and 2001, an estimated $1 Billion was budgeted to clean up 32 U.S. Army bases with asbestos and other environmental hazards.
Asbestos may still be found on some U.S. Army bases today. During the demolition of 193 buildings at Fort Lewis in 2019, asbestos abatement was required before the military could safely take down the buildings.
U.S. Army veterans should continue to monitor their health for signs of illnesses that may have been caused by asbestos exposure on military bases.
“Before I was diagnosed with mesothelioma, I wasn’t really aware of the dangers of asbestos. We used asbestos rope when I was in the military, and we didn't think anything of it.”
– Allan, U.S. Army Veteran & Firm Client
U.S. Air Force Bases with Asbestos
Aircraft equipment on base and buildings that members of the U.S. Air Force lived and trained in may have contained asbestos.
U.S. Air Force bases with asbestos included:
- Altus Air Force Base
- Arnold Air Force Base
- Beale Air Force Base
- Brooks Air Force Base
- Castle Air Force Base
- Charleston Air Force Base
- Dover Air Force Base
- Eglin Air Force Base
- Eielson Air Force Base
- Ellsworth Air Force Base
- Forbes Air Force Base
- Griffiss Air Force Base
- Gunter Air Force Base
- Hamilton Air Force Base
- Hanscom Air Force Base
- Hickam Air Force Base
- Hurlburt Field
- Keesler Air Force Base
- Kirtland Air Force Base
- Ladd Air Force Base
- Langley Air Force Base
- Laredo Air Force Base
- Lowry Air Force Base
- Luke Air Force Base
- Mather Air Force Base
- Maxwell Air Force Base
- McCoy Air Force Base
- Minot Air Force Base
- Mitchel Air Force Base
- Nellis Air Force Base
- Newark Air Force Base
- Norton Air Force Base
- Offutt Air Force Base
- Oxnard Air Force Base
- Patrick Air Force Base
- Perrin Air Force Base
- Robins Air Force Base
- Scott Air Force Base
- Stead Air Force Base
- Stewart Air Force Base
- Tinker Air Force Base
- Travis Air Force Base
- Tyndall Air Force Base
- United States Air Force Academy
Please note: This isn't a complete list. Additional U.S. Air Force bases may have used asbestos.
U.S. Air Force veterans who served at these bases or performed maintenance on aircraft may have been exposed to asbestos.
Since asbestos-related diseases can take decades to appear, U.S. Air Force veterans who completed their service decades ago may still be at risk of getting sick.
Asbestos on U.S. Coast Guard Bases
On U.S. Coast Guard bases, asbestos-containing products were used to construct buildings, repair ships, and maintain heating and electrical systems.
U.S. Coast Guard bases known to use asbestos include:
- U.S. Coast Guard Base Alameda
- U.S. Coast Guard Base Gloucester
- U.S. Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach
- U.S. Coast Guard Station New London
- U.S. Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay
- United States Coast Guard Yard
Many U.S. Coast Guard veterans were also exposed to asbestos while serving on cutters, as these ships were often constructed with asbestos-containing materials.
In fact, every U.S. Coast Guard cutter built before 1991 had asbestos-containing materials on board, accounting for over 300 ships.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness after serving in the military, you may be eligible for compensation to help with medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to find out if your family may qualify for a military asbestos exposure lawsuit settlement.
Asbestos on U.S. Marine Corps Bases
Asbestos-containing materials like insulation, cement, and paint were used across U.S. Marine Corps bases for decades.
U.S. Marine Corps bases with asbestos included:
- Camp Garcia Vieques
- Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
- Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
- Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
- Marine Corps Base Camp Butler
- Marine Corps Base Hawaii
- Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
- Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
- Marine Corps Base Quantico
- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany
- Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
- Marine Corps Rifle Range Camp Matthews
Asbestos is still being discovered on U.S. Marine Corps bases. In 2023, a hangar at the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin went up in flames, and asbestos-containing debris from the base was found at homes and schools within a 3-mile radius.
In addition to exposure on base, U.S. Marine Corps veterans may have come into contact with asbestos while working on U.S. Air Force planes, U.S. Army vehicles, and U.S. Navy ships.
Asbestos on U.S. Navy Bases & Shipyards
Products containing asbestos could be found throughout U.S. Navy bases, as well as in the construction of naval assets.
U.S. Navy veterans and shipyard workers are believed to have the highest rate of asbestos exposure, putting them at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
U.S. Navy shipyards and bases known to use asbestos include:
- Arlington Navy Annex
- Bremerton Naval Shipyard
- Brooklyn Navy Yard
- California Navy Shipyard
- Charleston Naval Shipyard
- Groton Naval Base
- Hunters Point Naval Shipyard
- Long Beach Naval Shipyard
- Miramar Naval Air Base
- Naval Air Station Cecil Field
- Naval Air Station Glynco
- Naval Air Station Jacksonville
- Naval Station Everett
- Naval Weapons Station
- Newport News Naval Shipyard
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard
- Pearl Harbor Shipyard
- Pensacola Naval Air Station
- Port Hueneme Naval Base
- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
- Sampson Naval Training Station
- San Diego Naval Shipyard
- Washington Navy Yard
Virtually all U.S. Navy ships contained asbestos, including aircraft carriers and destroyers. Shipyard workers had to build and tear down ships, which released asbestos fibers into the air that could be inhaled or swallowed by anyone nearby.
U.S. Navy veterans who conducted maintenance and repairs on vessels were also at risk, and the poor ventilation aboard ships often caused asbestos fibers to remain in the air for long periods of time.
“I always knew that there was asbestos. I asked them what the material was made out of, and they told me asbestos. Nobody ever said anything about it being dangerous."
– Walter, U.S. Navy Veteran & Firm Client
Compensation Options for Military Asbestos Exposure
Veterans with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness may be able to receive financial support from multiple sources.
Compensation options for veterans with mesothelioma include:
- Asbestos trust funds: An estimated $30 Billion is still available in trust funds that asbestos-related companies were ordered to create after declaring bankruptcy. You may qualify for payouts from multiple trusts.
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: Awarding over $1 Million on average, these lawsuits are filed against the companies that made or sold the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to. The majority of mesothelioma lawsuits end in an out-of-court settlement.
- VA benefits claims: Mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer have a 100% disability rating from the VA, meaning veterans may qualify for more than $3,800 a month and free health care.
In one case, we won a $40 Million verdict for a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington who worked as a boiler tender and fireman. He was exposed to asbestos in gaskets and diagnosed with mesothelioma decades later.
Veterans are often eligible for compensation from more than one source. Filing a lawsuit doesn’t affect your ability to receive VA benefits — and we never sue the U.S. military or the government.
Contact Military Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
At Sokolove Law, our military asbestos exposure lawyers are committed to seeking compensation for veterans and their loved ones affected by asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma.
Find out why families across the country choose our mesothelioma law firm:
- More than 45 years of experience handling asbestos cases
- Offices and attorneys nationwide, allowing us to help families in all 50 states
- No upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our attorneys
- Over $5.2 Billion secured for mesothelioma clients, including more than $1.3 Billion for veterans alone
Veterans have made tremendous sacrifices for our country, and the last thing they should face is service-related health issues like mesothelioma. We believe veterans deserve justice for the harm caused by asbestos on military bases.
Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.
Asbestos on Military Base FAQs
Does the military use asbestos?
All branches of the U.S. military used asbestos extensively for most of the 20th century due to its durability, affordability, and fireproofing capabilities.
As the health risks linked to asbestos exposure became known, the military began to phase out its use — but millions of service members had already been exposed, putting them at risk of mesothelioma later in life.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos on military bases, you may be entitled to compensation. Find out if you qualify now.
Do U.S. Army barracks have asbestos?
Some U.S. Army barracks built between the 1930s and the 1980s may still contain asbestos. Recently, over 1,000 soldiers at Fort Bragg were forced to relocate after asbestos was found inside their sleeping quarters.
Although significant efforts have been made to remove asbestos from U.S. Army barracks and other military buildings, those exposed decades ago may still be at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer today.
When did the military stop using asbestos?
Between the late 1970s and early 1980s, the military phased out the use of asbestos in new construction, following growing awareness of the mineral's serious health risks. However, military bases with asbestos can still be found around the country.
The sheer quantity of asbestos used in older buildings means that, despite efforts to remove it, this mineral may still be found in flooring tiles, pipes, and more.
How do you prove asbestos exposure in the military?
To prove asbestos exposure in the military, your mesothelioma attorneys will need to collect:
- Medical records showing you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness
- Service records highlighting when and where you served, as well as what your job was
- A doctor’s statement connecting your military asbestos exposure to your illness
At Sokolove Law, we can gather all of this documentation on your behalf, so you can focus on your health.
Call (800) 647-3434 now. Our VA-accredited attorneys may be able to help you seek compensation for your military asbestos exposure.
Is asbestos still used in the U.S. Navy?
The U.S. Navy stopped using asbestos in the late 1970s and early 1980s, after the dangers of this mineral became known to the public — though some asbestos-containing materials may still remain on some ships. These materials are typically sealed or secured to reduce the risk of exposure.
Does the Pentagon have asbestos?
Construction for the Pentagon began in 1941, when asbestos was commonly used in products like paint, floor tiles, and insulation. By the 1970s, around 58,000 tons of asbestos-containing material could be found throughout the building.
Due to the risk associated with asbestos and other structural issues, the Pentagon underwent a 17-year renovation beginning in the 1990s. During this time, approximately 70,000 cubic yards of asbestos were removed from the building.
What is the average settlement for a military asbestos lawsuit?
The average military asbestos lawsuit settlement for mesothelioma is between $1 Million and $1.4 Million.
At Sokolove Law, we’ve secured significant results for many U.S. veterans, including:
- $11.12 Million to a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arizona
- $5 Million for a U.S. Army veteran and farmer in North Dakota
- $4.42 Million to an Indiana boiler room repairman in the U.S. Navy
- $2.9 Million for a construction worker and U.S. Marine Corps veteran
- $3.48 Million to a heavy weapons infantryman in the U.S. Army
- $9.3 Million for the family of a U.S. Navy veteran in Massachusetts
Get a free case review now to see if our military asbestos exposure lawyers may be able to fight for the compensation you deserve.
What percentage of VA disability is asbestos exposure?
VA disability ratings for exposure to asbestos on military bases depend on the severity of your asbestos-related illness.
Veterans with mesothelioma and lung cancer, for example, can receive a 100% disability rating from the VA, making them eligible for over $3,800 a month.
Call (800) 647-3434 now. We have VA-accredited attorneys on staff who may be able to help you file for benefits or increase your disability percentage.
