Located just 10 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota, Ellsworth Air Force Base is home to half of the country’s B-1 bombers. Though significantly downsized from the days when it was a super wing, it has maintained strategic military value since its earliest days, when it served as a training center for World War Two pilots, gunners, radio operators, and navigators.[1] Like many of the military’s bases, Ellsworth’s buildings and infrastructure were built using asbestos, and the exposure from them, and from its role in flying and maintaining key aircraft, increased Air Force veterans’ risk of exposure and diagnosis with asbestos-related diseases.
The History of Ellsworth Air Force Base
In January 1942, weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the site now known as Ellsworth Air Force Base was chosen to be a training location for B-17 Flying Fortress units. A municipal airport was transformed into the Rapid City Army Air Base, complete with a control tower, runways, offices, and other facilities, and in a matter of months, became home to a constantly rotating population of thousands of trainees. By the end of the year, the base held five hangars, and throughout the war, it trained pilots, gunners, navigators, and radio operators from nine heavy bombardment groups and many smaller units.[2]
After the war, the base was placed on standby status but was quickly reactivated three months later for use as a training center for weather reconnaissance and combat squadrons. It was briefly closed for modifications until March 1947, when it took on its next role as the primary unit for the 28th Bombardment Wing and the B-29 Superfortress. Viewed as essential to U.S. defense against nuclear attack during the Cold War, it was declared a permanent installation in 1948. It made runway improvements in 1949 to enable its accommodation of the B-36 Peacemaker bomber, which had nuclear capabilities. It was r renamed Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1953 in honor of Brigadier General Richard Ellsworth, who died along with 22 crewmembers flying an RB-36 on a simulated combat mission.[2]
The base was assigned responsibility for the first intercontinental ballistic missile, the Titan I, in 1962, and quickly upgraded after that for the Minuteman I ICBM and then for the Minuteman II in the 1970s. Its responsibility for almost 150 of these missiles reflected the military’s view of western South Dakota as a key strategic position during the Cold War.[2]
By the 1980s, the B-52 bombers were retired and replaced by the B-1B Lancers, and the diminished nuclear threat led to Ellsworth’s operations being reduced and units being told to stand down in 1991. The missile silo network was deactivated, and the base was converted to tactical training as the last ICBMs were removed in 1994. In 2005, Ellsworth was included on the list of recommended base closures as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Act, but South Dakota Senator John Thune lobbied successfully for it to stay open, and today, it ranks as one of the top bases in the country. It was selected as the home for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber unit as well as the first formal training unit for the planes.[2] After its selection, the base began construction on a new 95,000-square-foot Low Observable Restoration Facility to support the bomber, as well as additional facilities.[3]
How Was Asbestos Used at the Ellsworth Air Force Base?
Asbestos is a mineral that was prized for centuries for the heat resistance and durability it added to the materials it was added to. It was utilized in various applications from ancient times on, but its popularity exploded following the Industrial Revolution. Its characteristic strength and insulating capabilities, combined with its ready accessibility and low price, made it a logical choice for the U.S. military between the 1930s and 1980s. It was used in numerous applications at Ellsworth, including:
- Construction of Military Facilities: Asbestos-containing materials were used in barracks, family housing, mess halls, administrative buildings, and other base infrastructure for insulation and fireproofing.
- Aircraft Components: Asbestos was used to insulate and strengthen parts, providing fireproofing and durability essential for protecting military aircraft and service members.
- Missile Facilities: Concrete and materials containing asbestos were integral to the construction of launch control centers, underground capsules, and missile silos, including those at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
While the military was focused on asbestos’ protective attributes, many of the asbestos companies that supplied the raw materials, parts, and components containing the mineral knew that exposure to asbestos fibers caused severe health issues, including:
- Mesothelioma: A rare, aggressive, and deadly cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.
- Lung Cancer
- Asbestosis: A progressive lung disease characterized by scarring of lung tissue and severe respiratory issues.
- Pleural Disorders: Pleural plaques and thickening that impair lung function.
Asbestos-containing materials used at Ellsworth Air Force Base include:
- Adhesives
- Aircraft
- Aircraft Brakes
- Automobile and truck brakes
- Cargo bay insulation Adhesives
- Caulking
- Ceiling tiles
- Cement foundations
- Concrete
- Drywall
- Electrical wiring
- Epoxies
- Fireproofing materials
- Floor tiles
- Gaskets
- Heat shields for aircraft engines
- Heating systems
- HVAC systems
- Insulation materials
- Paint
- Pipes
- Plumbing
- Roofing
- Roofing adhesives
- Sealants
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Wallboard
Who Was at Risk of Asbestos Exposure at Ellsworth Air Force Base?
Like many U.S. Air Force bases first built during the World War II era, much of the infrastructure at Ellsworth Air Force Base was constructed using asbestos-containing materials. Buildings, including barracks, mess halls, and family housing, made extensive use of the toxic material, and the same was true of the aircraft that service members trained on, operated, and maintained. During decades of support for bombardment, supply, and refueling missions, Air Force veterans stationed at the base were exposed to asbestos fibers through their work and daily activities, and so were civilian employees who worked on the base and the family members to whom these occupationally-exposed individuals returned each night. Wives and children of service members and those who worked at Ellsworth were at risk of secondary exposure from asbestos dust brought home on their loved one’s clothing, skin, and hair.
Today, asbestos exposure is dismissed as a risk from the past, but for people working and living at Ellsworth Air Force Base, the chance of being exposed continues. Legacy asbestos hidden behind existing walls, in electrical wiring, and in shingles, roofing, insulation in boilers, and other applications continues to pose a real danger.
Those who were most at risk of asbestos exposure at Ellsworth Air Force Base included:
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Welders
- Electricians
- Contractors
- Construction Workers
- Airmen
- Boiler Workers
- Pipefitters
- Machinists
- Carpenters
- Pilots
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Supply Depot Personnel
- Nuclear Missile Technicians
Help for Ellsworth Air Force Base Asbestos Victims
Air Force veterans who served at Ellsworth Air Force, as well as their family members, are owed a debt of gratitude for their contributions to America’s wartime efforts and defense. Unfortunately, for many of those veterans and civilian staff as well, that service came at a significant cost. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the road ahead will be challenging—but help is available in the form of compensation from both the Department of Veteran Affairs and the justice system.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers special disability compensation for veterans whose asbestos exposure is linked to their military service. Several VA Medical Centers across the country provide cutting-edge care for asbestos-related diseases, and you may also be eligible to opt for care at a specialized cancer treatment center anywhere in the country.
You may also qualify to file a claim with the asbestos trust funds established by companies that manufactured asbestos products and supplied them for use at Ellsworth. An experienced asbestos attorney will be able to provide you with more information on these resources, as well as whether you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for your exposure.
For guidance and assistance on these and other options, consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. They will help you navigate the legal process so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
References
View All References
