Naval Air Station Lemoore, located in Kings County in California’s Central Valley, is the Pacific Fleet’s primary tactical strike fighter base, hosting Carrier Air Wing strike fighter squadrons (VFA) flying A-7 Corsair II, F-14 Tomcat, and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft through the Cold War and into the modern era. The station’s large ramp area and extensive maintenance complex supported the full range of strike fighter organizational and intermediate maintenance for Pacific Fleet carrier air wings working up for deployment. Military personnel and civilian employees performing aircraft maintenance at NAS Lemoore were exposed to asbestos in aircraft components and in older station infrastructure throughout the Cold War period.

Aircraft Component Asbestos at Lemoore

Aviation maintenance personnel at NAS Lemoore performed organizational and intermediate maintenance on Navy strike fighters with asbestos-containing components:

  • Aircraft brake assemblies on A-7 Corsair II, F-14 Tomcat, and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft used asbestos friction material in brake puck and lining assemblies serviced by Aviation Structural Mechanics (AM/AME) during landing gear maintenance — releasing asbestos dust during brake removal, inspection, and replacement
  • Engine gaskets and high-temperature components in A-7 TF41 and Allison TF41 engines, F-14 TF30 and F110 engines, and F/A-18 F404 engines used asbestos-containing gaskets on high-temperature sections serviced by Aviation Machinist’s Mates (AD)
  • Airframe firewall and heat shield materials in A-7 and F-14 engine nacelles incorporated asbestos cloth and board in firewall construction, disturbed during engine removal and major airframe maintenance
  • Ejection seat components on early A-7 and F-14 ejection seats used asbestos-containing thermal protection materials serviced during seat maintenance and inspection

Older Station Building Infrastructure

NAS Lemoore was established in 1961 and expanded rapidly through the 1960s and 1970s to support Pacific Fleet strike operations. Older buildings and hangars constructed in the station’s early years used asbestos-containing materials:

  • Hangar building construction — early hangars built at Lemoore in the 1960s used asbestos-containing overhead construction and structural steel fireproofing
  • Base mechanical systems in older buildings used asbestos-insulated pipe in heating and steam distribution systems

Aviation Rating Exposure

Aviation Structural Mechanics (AM/AME) performing brake and landing gear work and Aviation Machinist’s Mates (AD) performing engine and power plant maintenance at NAS Lemoore had the most direct asbestos exposure from aircraft component maintenance throughout the Cold War period.

VA Claims for NAS Lemoore Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure at naval air stations. Veterans who served at NAS Lemoore in qualifying ratings before the early 1980s asbestos phase-down and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.