Naval Communications Station Jim Creek, located in the Jim Creek valley in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains near Arlington, Washington, is the home of the Jim Creek Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio transmitter — one of the most powerful military radio transmitters in the world, providing submarine communications throughout the Pacific Ocean. The station was established in the 1950s during the Cold War nuclear submarine program expansion, with the VLF transmitter at Jim Creek enabling one-way communications with submerged SSBN and other submarines throughout the Pacific basin. The remote valley location was chosen for its geographic isolation and the natural configuration of the valley walls that contribute to the antenna system. Cold War-era construction at Jim Creek used military construction materials including asbestos-containing products in the transmitter facility and support buildings.

VLF Transmitter Facility Construction and Asbestos

NCS Jim Creek’s transmitter and support facilities incorporated asbestos:

  • Power plant and high-voltage electrical facilities — the large power plant and high-voltage electrical facilities at Jim Creek supporting the massive VLF transmitter used Cold War military-industrial construction with asbestos-containing electrical insulation, asbestos-containing building products, and asbestos pipe insulation in the mechanical systems of the power and transmitter facility buildings. Communications Technical (CT) ratings and Electronics Technicians maintaining the Jim Creek transmitter’s power plant and electrical systems worked in the asbestos-containing transmitter facility electrical spaces
  • Transmitter hall and antenna control buildings — the transmitter hall and antenna control buildings housing the VLF transmitter equipment and associated control systems used Cold War military construction with asbestos-containing building materials in the facility construction
  • Support buildings and barracks — the support buildings, barracks, and administrative facilities at Jim Creek used Cold War military construction with asbestos floor tile, asbestos ceiling products, and asbestos pipe insulation in the residential and support facility mechanical systems

Cold War SSBN Communications Mission

Jim Creek’s critical role in nuclear submarine communications:

  • Jim Creek VLF transmitter provided Essential Elements of Information (EEI) and Emergency Action Message (EAM) communications to Pacific-deployed SSBNs maintaining strategic deterrent patrols, with Navy communications personnel maintaining the transmitter and power plant in the asbestos-containing Jim Creek facility throughout the Cold War

VA Claims for NCS Jim Creek Veterans

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Navy personnel who served at Naval Communications Station Jim Creek and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.