The Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE) rating installed, maintained, and repaired aircraft electrical systems — wiring harnesses, generators, batteries, lighting, and avionics power supplies — aboard carrier-based and shore-based aircraft. The publicly filed asbestos litigation record documents AE exposure from asbestos-containing electrical insulation used in aircraft wiring and components, asbestos-glass composite electrical parts within aircraft systems, and asbestos-containing refractory and insulation materials encountered during aircraft maintenance in carrier hangar bays and shore-based maintenance facilities.
Documented Exposure Sources
Asbestos as Electrical Insulation in Aircraft
Asbestos-Glass Electrical Components in Aircraft
Usage of Asbestos in Aircraft — Official Documentation
Aircraft Maintenance — Asbestos Refractory and Insulation
AE Rating History
The Aviation Electrician’s Mate designation (AEM) was established in 1942, redesignated AE in 1948, and continued through the full asbestos era. AEs underwent formal A School training at NAS Memphis (Millington, TN) or other naval air training stations before fleet and squadron assignments.
VA Claims and Legal Options for Aviation Electrician’s Mate AEs
The Aviation Electrician’s Mate rating qualifies for VA service connection under VA asbestos-claim guidance based on documented asbestos in aircraft electrical insulation, asbestos-glass composite electrical components, and asbestos-containing refractory materials in aircraft maintenance environments. The corpus directly documents “usage of asbestos in aircraft” and asbestos as electrical insulation in the systems AEs maintained.
Key documents for an AE claim:
- DD-214 Block 11 — primary specialty showing AE rate
- Ship and squadron assignments — carrier duty or shore-based squadron duty documenting aircraft maintenance work
- Diagnosis — mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease
Civil claims may run against manufacturers of asbestos-containing aircraft wiring insulation, asbestos-glass electrical components, and asbestos-containing refractory materials used in aircraft maintenance.
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.
Documented asbestos exposure information derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation records. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.