Aviation Boatswain’s Mates (AB) were the Navy’s carrier aviation deck specialists, responsible for operating and maintaining the catapult systems, arresting gear, aircraft fueling systems, and aircraft handling equipment that enabled carrier flight operations. ABs were divided into sub-ratings: AB (Fuel) managing JP-5 aircraft fuel systems, AB (Launching and Recovery) operating catapults and arresting gear, and AB (Aircraft Handling) operating aircraft elevators and tractors. All AB ratings served aboard aircraft carriers — which were among the most extensively asbestos-insulated vessel types in the fleet.

Steam Catapult Systems and Asbestos

Aviation Boatswain’s Mates operating the steam catapults on Essex, Forrestal, and later carrier classes worked directly with steam-powered catapult equipment:

  • Catapult steam supply piping — the high-pressure steam supply feeding the catapult accumulator tanks was insulated with asbestos block lagging throughout the steam distribution runs from the ship’s steam plant to the catapult machinery spaces below the flight deck
  • Catapult accumulator gaskets and connections — asbestos gaskets were used at flange connections throughout the catapult steam distribution system, disturbed during catapult maintenance and overhaul work
  • Catapult steam valve packing — the large steam control valves on the catapult steam supply circuit used asbestos packing on valve stems, maintained by ABs during catapult PM and overhaul
  • Catapult machinery space environment — the below-decks catapult machinery spaces on carriers were adjacent to the main steam distribution spaces, sharing the general asbestos-containing environment of the carrier’s interior

Arresting Gear and Aircraft Fueling

ABs working on arresting gear systems and fuel distribution systems aboard carriers also encountered asbestos-containing materials:

  • JP-5 fuel system pipe and valve connections — the aviation fuel distribution system aboard carriers, managed by AB (Fuel) rates, used asbestos gaskets and packing at flanged fuel system connections throughout the below-decks fuel distribution piping
  • Arresting gear hydraulic system connections — arresting gear machinery spaces below the flight deck were built within the carrier’s asbestos-containing hull structure

Carrier Interior Exposure

All AB ratings lived in crew berthing spaces aboard aircraft carriers built with asbestos-containing interior construction for the carrier’s 3,000-5,000 man crew. Carrier berthing spaces used asbestos floor tile, overhead lagging, and bulkhead insulation throughout the pre-1975 carrier hull interior.

VA Claims for AB Rating Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure aboard Navy aircraft carriers. Aviation Boatswain’s Mates who served on pre-1975 aircraft carriers — particularly in catapult and arresting gear operations involving steam catapult systems — and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.