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In recent years, the hazardous conditions at the Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan, also known as K2 or Stronghold Freedom, have come under increasing scrutiny. The US military used the air base between 2001 and 2005 to support missions into Afghanistan, as it provided space for a temporary camp, an airfield, and a strategic location to launch the war.
However, what was once thought to be an isolated military outpost in a remote region has been proven to be a toxic wasteland contaminated by a mix of dangerous chemicals, including:
- chemical weapons
- enriched uranium
- industrial solvents
Moreover, the base's soil was saturated with fuels and solvents, forming a "black goo." Air samples at the base showed elevated levels of tetrachloroethylene, a toxic solvent, while cyanide and other chemical weapons residues were detected in the showers. Additional tests detected elevated levels of:
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)
- particulate matter (PM10)
These contaminants were detected at numerous locations across K2, indicating widespread and severe environmental damage. Additionally, because burn pits were the primary means of waste disposal, waste incineration emitted fumes across the base.
Given the elevated levels of toxic compounds in air, water, and soil, service in the K2 posed a serious health risk to anyone who came into contact with its grounds. Veterans deployed to K2 may have been exposed to these toxic substances through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact with contaminants. Later on, a large number of former service members reported persistent respiratory symptoms, some developed chronic respiratory conditions, potentially stemming from their:
- combined deployment exposures
- individual susceptibilities
A US Army study from 2015 revealed that veterans who served at the K2 military base face a 500% higher risk of developing specific cancers. It further underscores the profound health impact of environmental contaminants on all veterans who served there. These risks are also reflected in the VA's list of hazardous materials that veterans may have been exposed to:
- asbestos in the roof tiles of buildings and in surface dirt
- jet fuel from a leaking Soviet-era underground jet fuel distribution system
- volatile organic compounds from jet fuel vapors
- particulate matter and dust with varied levels in the air
- depleted uranium from previously destroyed missiles
- lead- based paint in the one-stop, in-processing center
Today, it is common knowledge that all service members who served in the Southwest Asia operation theaters were exposed to particulate matter and dust in various quantities depending on the season and weather conditions, including in locations such as:
- Afganistan
- Syria
- Dijibouti
- Uzbekistan
Devastating Effects of Serving at K2
Service members stationed at K2 raised concerns about the base's environmental conditions and potential health risks. For the over 15,000 service members who served at one point in the K2, deployment came with the risk of often life-threatening diseases, likely due to toxic exposure at the base. However, it wasn't until news reports of their concerns were published that Congress decided to investigate. It resulted in a law requiring the DoD to study the environmental conditions at K2.
The DoD recognizes concerns about potential respiratory health effects from deployment at the K2 base and collaborates with the VA and independent researchers to assess and quantify the long-term health risks associated with deployment-related exposure. However, diseases that have followed K2 veterans home and are likely due to their toxic exposure from time spent at the base are more varied. Many former service members began experiencing:
- severe headaches
- skin rashes
- thyroid issues
- GI problems
- malignant melanoma
- lymphatic cancer
- blood cancers
Public health statistics note that following their time at the air base, 400 members have been diagnosed with cancer, and 30 individuals have died.
K2 veterans who meet the basic eligibility criteria may enroll in VA health care for all health conditions without first applying for disability compensation. They are also eligible for presumptive benefits under the PACT Act, which covers more than 300 conditions for Gulf War veterans, meaning they don't have to prove that their service caused the condition; the VA automatically assumes service connection and provides benefits accordingly.
While the PACT Act grants K2 veterans recognition for exposure to particulate matter and presumes service connection for over two dozen diseases linked to burn pits, the VA has not yet formally acknowledged the other toxic exposures and potential health risks specific to K2.
To receive disability benefits for conditions caused by exposure to jet fuel, veterans must demonstrate a service connection for those conditions. While research suggests that these veterans may develop health issues due to such exposure, the link between K2 and illnesses from toxic exposure at the base is not consistent enough for the VA to provide disability benefits for these veterans automatically.
The DoD has confirmed that classified missions took place at the K2 base. Those who served in Special Operations and obtained service connection but whose claims cannot be verified through a review of the claim file should follow the instructions in the manual for claims based on participation in Special Operations.
K2 Veterans Should Sign Up for Registries
Even if most K2 veterans are now auto-enrolled in the redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, those who cannot locate their records there are encouraged to register. These registries are a significant aid to VA research programs that study long-term health effects of exposures such as jet fuel and dust.
Beyond that, registries provide access to health evaluations and supporting research to improve care. Even if participation in the registry doesn't affect an individual's care or benefits, veterans and service members who take part are helping improve care and benefits for generations to come. For those who do not wish to participate, there's an opt-out possibility, which removes veterans from surveillance and outreach.
Service members who fulfilled duty at K2 are eligible for a urine assay to test for the isotopic signature of depleted uranium. Urine assay is a free laboratory test with isotope ratio measurements to confirm veterans. radiation exposure, track ongoing release from embedded fragments, and monitor potential health effects, particularly on kidney function. To schedule a test, K2 veterans should contact an Environmental Health Coordinator in their area.
Assisting Veterans in Filing Claims for Compensation
After receiving a cancer diagnosis,?many former service members may feel confused, scared, or angry, especially if they believe the illness is the result of in-service?toxic exposure. They need to know that, in addition to applying for government-issued benefits, they may be able to seek private compensation in some cases.
However, the application process can be complicated, and veterans already dealing with severe illnesses need to concentrate on healing, rather than spending time with paperwork. In such cases, an experienced toxic exposure lawyer can be a real help in navigating the necessary application steps, such as evaluating eligibility for compensation, gathering documentation to verify service and exposure, and collecting all medical records supporting the claim. We offer help in connecting you with legal specialists ready to take on your case.