Aviation Maintenance Administrationmen — the AZ rating — served as the administrative backbone of naval aviation maintenance organizations, responsible for maintaining aircraft maintenance records, managing maintenance documentation, tracking parts and supply requisitions, and handling the administrative functions of squadron maintenance departments and aircraft intermediate maintenance departments (AIMDs). AZs were assigned to fleet aviation squadrons, carrier air wings, naval air station aviation maintenance departments, and aircraft intermediate maintenance departments aboard aircraft carriers and at naval air stations. AZ work was performed in the administrative spaces attached to aviation maintenance departments — offices and work areas in squadron ready rooms and maintenance administration offices that were typically located within or immediately adjacent to the hangars and maintenance shops where aviation mechanics performed hands-on aircraft maintenance. AZs working in these environments accumulated background asbestos exposure from the asbestos-containing construction materials of the Cold War-era hangar and maintenance shop facilities where they worked, and from frequent movement through maintenance bays and shops where aviation mechanics were performing maintenance on aircraft systems incorporating asbestos-containing brake and friction materials.

AZ Aviation Facility Asbestos Exposure

Aviation Maintenance Administrationmen accumulated asbestos exposure in naval aviation facilities:

  • Aircraft maintenance hangar construction — the aircraft maintenance hangars at naval air stations and aboard aircraft carriers where AZs worked in attached maintenance administration offices incorporated asbestos-containing building materials in the hangar overhead, structural fireproofing, and support areas consistent with the Cold War-era construction specifications of those facilities. AZs working in offices and administrative spaces within or attached to naval aviation maintenance hangars accumulated background asbestos exposure from the hangar construction materials throughout their AZ career
  • Squadron maintenance department offices — the squadron maintenance administration offices and departmental workspaces within naval aviation hangar complexes were constructed using the construction materials of the hangar facilities where they were located, potentially incorporating asbestos-containing floor tile, ceiling tile, and partition materials consistent with Cold War naval construction specifications
  • Aircraft intermediate maintenance department spaces — AIMDs — the intermediate-level aircraft maintenance facilities at each naval air station and aboard aircraft carriers — housed AZ administrative spaces within the AIMD facility complex. AIMD facilities were constructed using military construction specifications incorporating asbestos-containing building materials consistent with their Cold War construction periods

AZ Proximity to Aircraft Maintenance Asbestos

AZs worked in proximity to aviation maintenance involving asbestos-containing aircraft components:

  • Aircraft brake system maintenance proximity — AZs moving through squadron maintenance bays and AIMD shops in the performance of administrative duties were present in spaces where aviation mechanics were performing aircraft brake system maintenance involving asbestos-containing aircraft brake lining materials. The dust generated by aircraft brake maintenance in enclosed hangar and shop environments created background asbestos exposure for AZ personnel working in adjacent spaces
  • Avionics and electronics shop proximity — AZs working in administrative offices adjacent to avionics and electronics shops where technicians maintained electronics equipment incorporating asbestos-containing thermal insulation accumulated background exposure from the maintenance activities in adjacent spaces

VA Claims for AZ Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy aviation maintenance environments. Aviation Maintenance Administrationmen who accumulated background asbestos exposure during their AZ service and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.