Navy Aerographer’s Mates (AG) — the enlisted rating responsible for meteorological observation, weather analysis, and oceanographic data collection in support of naval aviation — maintained weather observation stations, operated upper atmosphere sounding equipment, prepared weather briefings for naval aviation operations, and collected oceanographic data used in naval operations planning. AG ratings were stationed primarily at naval air stations where weather forecasting directly supported carrier air wing and patrol aviation operations, and aboard aircraft carriers and amphibious ships providing weather support to embarked aviation assets. Naval air station meteorology and aerology buildings where AG ratings worked were constructed during WWII and the Cold War using military construction materials that incorporated asbestos-containing building products. Aerographer’s Mates assigned to shore duty at naval air station aerology departments accumulated asbestos exposure from the Cold War-era construction of the facilities where they performed their meteorological duties.

Shore-Based Weather Facility Asbestos Exposure

AG ratings in naval air station meteorology facilities encountered asbestos:

  • Naval air station aerology and weather buildings — the aerology buildings, weather stations, and meteorological facilities at naval air stations were constructed during WWII and the Cold War using military construction specifications with asbestos floor tile, asbestos ceiling products, and asbestos pipe insulation in the building mechanical systems. Aerographer’s Mates assigned to NAS weather departments at major air stations — including NAS Pensacola, NAS Patuxent River, NAS North Island, NAS Oceana, and similar installations — worked in these asbestos-containing aerology facilities throughout their shore duty tours
  • Upper atmosphere sounding facility construction — the radiosonde launch facilities and upper atmosphere observation buildings at naval air stations used Cold War military construction with asbestos-containing building materials in the facility construction, creating asbestos exposure for AG ratings operating this upper atmosphere observation equipment

Shipboard Weather Service Asbestos Exposure

AG ratings aboard ships encountered asbestos in shipboard spaces:

  • Carrier meteorology spaces — AG ratings assigned to aircraft carrier meteorology departments worked in dedicated weather spaces that were part of the carrier’s interior construction, with the carrier’s WWII-era or Cold War construction incorporating asbestos-containing bulkhead insulation, overhead materials, and pipe insulation throughout the ship’s interior spaces including the meteorology and aerology spaces

VA Claims for Aerographer’s Mates

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. Aerographer’s Mates who served at naval air stations with Cold War-era aerology facility construction and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.