Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mates (AB) — the enlisted rating responsible for the operation and maintenance of aircraft carrier catapults, arresting gear, crash barriers, fueling systems (ABF), and aircraft handling systems (ABH) — served aboard aircraft carriers throughout the WWII and Cold War eras. AB ratings operated the steam catapult systems that launched carrier aircraft at flying speed from the flight deck, the arresting gear systems that brought landing aircraft to a stop on the arrested landing wire, and the crash barriers and fueling systems supporting carrier flight operations. Aviation Boatswain’s Mates working in the catapult machinery spaces below the flight deck — where the steam accumulator and catapult cylinder assemblies were maintained — accumulated background asbestos exposure from the asbestos-insulated machinery spaces and encountered asbestos-containing gasket materials in the high-pressure steam catapult systems during catapult maintenance operations.

Steam Catapult Machinery Space Asbestos

ABs in catapult machinery spaces accumulated sustained asbestos exposure:

  • High-pressure steam catapult system gaskets — the steam catapult systems on WWII-era and Cold War aircraft carriers — the H-8 and subsequent hydraulic catapults on WWII carriers and the C-7, C-11, and C-13 steam catapults on postwar carriers — used high-pressure steam from the ship’s steam plant to launch aircraft. The high-pressure steam supply systems, steam accumulators, and catapult cylinder connections in the catapult machinery spaces incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at flanged connections and valve bodies throughout the steam catapult supply system. Aviation Boatswain’s Mates performing catapult steam system maintenance in the catapult machinery spaces encountered asbestos-containing gasket materials in the steam catapult supply system components during maintenance operations
  • Catapult machinery space construction — the catapult machinery spaces below the flight deck of aircraft carriers — housing the steam catapult cylinder assemblies, steam accumulator tanks, and associated catapult machinery — were constructed within the carrier’s structure using asbestos-containing construction materials in the machinery space overhead, bulkheads, and utility systems. ABs working in the catapult machinery spaces accumulated background asbestos exposure from the asbestos-containing catapult machinery space construction throughout each deployment’s continuous catapult operations
  • Steam accumulator insulation — the large steam accumulator tanks in carrier catapult machinery spaces — storing high-pressure steam for catapult launch energy — were insulated with asbestos block and asbestos pipe covering to minimize heat loss from the steam accumulator storage volume. ABs working in catapult machinery spaces worked in proximity to the asbestos-insulated steam accumulator tanks throughout their catapult machinery maintenance duties

Arresting Gear Machinery Space Asbestos

ABs maintaining arresting gear accumulated machinery space asbestos exposure:

  • Arresting gear engine room construction — the arresting gear machinery spaces beneath the flight deck of aircraft carriers housed the Mark 7 arresting gear engines and associated hydraulic and wire systems used to arrest landing aircraft. The arresting gear machinery spaces were constructed within the carrier structure with asbestos-containing construction materials consistent with the carrier’s overall construction. ABs working in the arresting gear machinery spaces accumulated background asbestos exposure from the arresting gear space construction during the intensive catapult and arresting gear maintenance performed between each air wing recovery

VA Claims for Aviation Boatswain’s Mates

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy carrier flight operations. Aviation Boatswain’s Mates who operated and maintained catapult and arresting gear systems on aircraft carriers and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.