During World War II, airpower reshaped modern warfare by transforming military conflict and introducing new dangers for those on the front lines - especially military crash fire rescue (CFR) crews.
As airpower evolved from reconnaissance support to a decisive force, conflicts became global and targeted not just military, but also civilian infrastructure. This dramatic shift placed unprecedented demands on military operations and personnel, making CFR crews essential responders to the new risks posed by air warfare. By the end of the war, aircraft production reached 300,000, creating a demand for a highly specialized team to manage the growing volume of operational accidents and combat damage across aircraft carriers, the Air Force, and Marine Corps units.
CFR crews, often referred to as "crash crews" or "air-sea rescue" teams, were essential for rescuing pilots from crashed aircraft, both on land bases and in combat at sea. In addition to lifesaving rescues, they protected valuable assets and maintained flight deck operational capabilities on carrier ships. However, no matter the military branch, CFRs were trained to and run toward danger when everyone else is running away, and respond often within seconds to:
- aircraft fires
- fuel and ordnance explosions
- emergency landings
- hazardous material incidents
The rapid expansion of air operations also meant that crash crews, known today as aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) crews, had to learn on the job through intensive, often trial-by-fire training. Their roles and responsibilities varied after the service environment:
- flight deck teams on aircraft carriers were responsible for immediate firefighting, rescuing pilots from burning planes, and clearing the flight deck during emergency landings or combat damage
- shore-based firefighters served at naval auxiliary airfields and air stations and used specialized trucks to respond to operational accidents
- crash boat teams were personnel of AVRs or "aircraft rescue boats" used for air-sea rescue, retrieving downed airmen in coastal and offshore waters
Exposed to Toxic Substances While Saving Lives
While CFR crews kept air operations moving during wartime losses and thin-stretched resources, personnel risked exposure to toxic contamination without realizing it. In all military branches, CFR personnel performed duty in extremely dangerous conditions with minimal protective equipment by today's standards. Early fire suppression involved:
- foam apparatus and extinguishers
- asbestos helmets and protective suits
What has received far less attention than the CFR crew's bravery is the hazardous environment they routinely worked in, and the long-term health damages that may follow their military years even today. As a result of their duties, CFR crew members were exposed to a complex mix of toxic substances, such as:
- firefighting foam
- jet fuel
- smoke
- solvents
- chemical residue
Public attention has turned only in recent years to what toxic exposure may mean for veterans' health, and, consequently, medical warnings were also late. Many former service members who served in a CFR crew are now experiencing serious health conditions stemming from their in-service contamination, including:
- various cancers
- respiratory illnesses
- chronic conditions
CFR Crews and Exposure to AFFF
The US Navy developed AFFF in the 1960s, and the DoD adopted it in the 1970s for its ability to rapidly suppress jet-fuel fires. The foam acts by creating an aqueous film on the surface of hydrocarbon fuels, cutting the fuel from oxygen, cooling the liquid, and preventing re-ignition. It was a revolutionary substance, hailed as a critical tool in fire suppression, and was extensively used not only by the military but also by civilian firefighters and airport personnel.
As a consequence, today, thousands of individuals who directly worked with AFFF are living with cancer linked to the foam they once used. In the military, AFFF was used during training exercises, mandatory drills, and, in some cases, used to "foam" runways to prevent sparks during emergency landings, and was applied by:
- vehicle turrets to deliver large quantities of foam directly onto crash sites.
- handlines or nozzles to apply foam to smaller fires or for mop-up
- automated overhead sprinklers in aircraft hangars for fire suppression
On aircraft carriers, during a flight deck washdown or firefighting drill, AFFF is often sprayed at high volume, which can create a thick foam cloud. Because the flight deck is a high-risk area for jet fuel fires, it's where the fire-suppressing foam is most intensely used:
- landing area/crash zone
- hangar deck
- catapult/arresting gear areas
- crash crane and crash stations
While AFFF is essential for its effectiveness and versatility, it also contains hazardous PFAS that pose a significant risk of toxic contamination to operating personnel. PFAS are extremely persistent due to chemical bonds that do not break down, earning them the label "forever chemicals." Medical research has shown that PFAS accumulate in the body over time, and studies have linked them to diseases such as:
- liver damage
- thyroid disease
- obesity
- fertility issues
Medical research has further demonstrated that exposure to AFFF may elevate veterans' risk of developing specific cancers, including:
- kidney cancer
- testicular cancer
- liver cancer
- bladder cancer
- thyroid cancer
- ulcerative colitis
CFT crew members' high PFAS contamination risk was underscored by regular fuel fire suppression training using AFFF, in addition to actual emergency situations. Moreover, maintenance work on AFFF installations has sometimes led crew members to swallow residual agent without realizing its toxicity.
Supporting Veterans in Securing Financial Compensation
Former service members exposed to AFFF during their military service may be eligible for VA disability benefits if they have a diagnosed condition linked to their exposure.
To apply for benefits, veterans must document their AFFF exposure and provide medical evidence by establishing a nexus between the exposure and their diagnosed illness. We can help connect you with experienced attorneys who can guide you through every step of the claims process.