The Air Force Times reports that veteran advocates filed a lawsuit yesterday against the US Department of Defense demanding the release of reports regarding toxic materials found at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (“K2”) in Uzbekistan.
The alleged toxins, including jet fuel, asbestos, uranium, and chemical weapons residues, may have contaminated soils where US military members slept and worked, and are suspected of causing rare illnesses (including cancers) in thousands of troops stationed there in the early 2000s.
The Air Force Times article may be read HERE.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) is also reporting about contamination concerns at K2, which was occupied by US Army, Air Force and Marine troops from 2001-2005. The US military was ordered to vacate the base in November 2005.
K2 was located on land formerly used for Soviet-era military operations, and according to the VA article, was allegedly contaminated by fuel, depleted uranium, asbestos and lead, but that environmental assessments failed to verify the presence of chemical warfare agents and ionizing radiation.
The VA article may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, there are many dangers facing those who serve our military beyond direct combat. Many who have served are now finding themselves sick from unknown or intentionally-ignored chemical or nuclear contamination, especially from overseas burn pits and the mismanagement or improper disposal of hazardous wastes resulting from the exigencies of military operations.
Fortunately, the US Congress has enacted and the VA has implemented a new law known as the PACT Act. The VA provides information about the new law HERE.
Proverbs 3:27 (ESV)
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.”
