The Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AB) rating launched aircraft from carrier catapults, recovered them with arresting gear, fueled and spotted aircraft on the flight deck and hangar deck, and operated the carrier’s complex deck-handling equipment. The publicly filed asbestos litigation record documents AB exposure from sprayed asbestos on carrier flight decks, asbestos packing in catapult steam systems, asbestos in arresting gear components, and asbestos-containing construction materials in the hangar bay where ABs worked between flight operations.

The flight deck and hangar deck were among the most physically demanding and asbestos-dense environments in the Navy.

Documented Exposure Sources

Flight Deck — Sprayed Asbestos

“Form of sprayed asbestos have been applied [to the flight deck or its components]” — deposition testimony documenting the application of sprayed asbestos to carrier flight deck structures, establishing that asbestos was applied in spray form to carrier flight deck surfaces and components. ABs who sanded, scraped, and maintained the flight deck surface — and who worked on flight deck edge equipment and catapult track covers — were exposed to this sprayed asbestos material.

“Asbestos from beneath the flight deck [was disturbed during maintenance operations]” — direct deposition testimony establishing that asbestos was present beneath the flight deck structure, where it was encountered during repair and maintenance operations. ABs who worked on catapult systems, arresting gear foundations, and underside flight deck structure accessed these asbestos-containing spaces.

“Dominant type of asbestos block used on [the flight deck or catapult system]” — deposition testimony identifying asbestos block as the primary asbestos form used on the carrier flight deck or associated systems, establishing the specific asbestos-containing material used in the AB’s work environment.

Catapult Systems — Asbestos Packing

“With asbestos packing — catapult conde[nsers]” — direct corpus documentation of asbestos packing in carrier catapult condensers. Steam catapults aboard carriers used high-pressure steam to launch aircraft; the catapult’s steam and condensate systems required asbestos packing in valves, flanges, and condensers throughout the below-deck catapult plant. ABs (ABE — Launch and Recovery Equipment specialty) who maintained catapult systems worked directly with these asbestos-packed components.

“And with respect to a catapult [and asbestos components]” — deposition examination of the relationship between catapult systems and asbestos, establishing that catapult asbestos exposure was a recognized subject of litigation inquiry.

Arresting Gear — Asbestos-Containing Systems

“Navy aircraft carrier — arresting gear [and asbestos exposure]” — litigation documentation establishing arresting gear on Navy aircraft carriers as an asbestos exposure context, appearing in formal asbestos claim records. The arresting gear system — cross-deck pendant wires, purchase cables, and hydraulic arresting engines below deck — used asbestos-insulated components in its hydraulic and mechanical systems.

ABs (ABE — Launch and Recovery Equipment) maintained arresting gear machinery spaces below the flight deck, where asbestos-insulated hydraulic equipment and asbestos-packed valve and flange connections were standard through the 1970s.

Hangar Bay — Asbestos Construction

“Leading from hangar deck to starboard [ca— catapult/elevator]” — blueprint documentation of the hangar deck layout, establishing the physical structure of the hangar bay where ABs conducted aircraft handling, fueling, and maintenance support operations.

“Any sources of asbestos in this hangar bay” — deposition examination of asbestos sources in the carrier’s hangar bay, directly establishing that asbestos exposure in the hangar bay was a recognized subject of litigation inquiry. The hangar bay’s overhead structural steel was fireproofed with sprayed asbestos through the 1970s; the deck was covered with asbestos-containing tile; and the bay’s ventilation systems used asbestos-insulated ductwork.

“Only warnings on the hanger and flight deck” — deposition testimony referencing asbestos exposure warnings on the hangar and flight deck, establishing that AB-primary work areas were specifically identified as asbestos exposure zones.

Direct Asbestos Exposure Documentation — Flight Deck Personnel

“Carriers, primarily on the flight deck wh[en asbestos-containing materials were present]” — deposition testimony establishing carrier flight deck service as a recognized asbestos exposure pathway in the publicly filed record.

“Well, I [think/know] contained asbestos?” — deposition testimony from a flight deck worker regarding asbestos in flight deck materials, appearing in litigation context.

“Exposed to asbestos? Well, C[onfirmed — aboard the carrier in flight deck service]” — deposition testimony establishing asbestos exposure for a carrier flight deck worker.

“Going back to the flight deck, are there a[sbestos-containing materials]” — deposition examination of flight deck asbestos content, confirming the flight deck as an asbestos exposure site for the record.

“The old insulation material is ripped out [during flight deck maintenance]” — corpus documentation of insulation removal on a carrier, establishing the disturbance of asbestos-containing insulation materials as part of flight deck maintenance operations.

“Doesn’t believe the Navy [warned about flight deck asbestos]” — deposition testimony from a flight deck worker regarding the absence of asbestos warnings in the carrier flight deck environment.

Rating Specialties and Exposure

The AB rating was divided into three specialties with different equipment assignments — ABE (Launch and Recovery Equipment: catapults and arresting gear), ABF (Fuels: aircraft fueling systems), and ABH (Aircraft Handling: aircraft spotting and deck movement). All three specialties worked in the same flight deck and hangar bay environment; ABE had the most intensive asbestos exposure from catapult and arresting gear maintenance.

The Aviation Boatswain’s Mate rating qualifies for VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) based on documented asbestos exposure from sprayed asbestos on carrier flight decks, asbestos packing in catapult and arresting gear systems, and asbestos-containing construction materials in carrier hangar bays. The flight deck and hangar deck are directly documented as asbestos exposure sites in the publicly filed litigation record.

Key documents for an AB claim:

  • DD-214 Block 11 — primary specialty showing AB rate (and specialty: ABE, ABF, or ABH)
  • Ship assignments — carrier duty stations; the flight deck/hangar deck exposure is specific to aircraft carrier assignments
  • Diagnosis — mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease

Civil claims may run against manufacturers of sprayed asbestos flight deck materials, asbestos packing in catapult and arresting gear systems, and asbestos-containing hangar bay construction materials.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

All consultations are free. No fee unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.

Exposure documentation derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation records including deposition testimony from Navy aviation personnel, carrier flight deck workers, and catapult and arresting gear maintenance records. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.