The airport of the military base was selected as a site for the U.S. Air Force base and the airfield returned to military control in 1954. Subsequently, the former naval air station was placed under the jurisdiction of the Air Defense Command. In 1957, the airport was named Kingsley Field in honor of Lieutenant David Kingsley, who earned the Medal of Honor during World War II. Today, Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base is still in use but is also heavily contaminated with PFAS, which endangers the health of the people who are currently stationed there.
However, because AFFF has been used on military bases since the 1960s, numerous veterans have already come to struggle with terrible diseases as a consequence of toxic exposure. A sliver of hope is that, with the assistance of a law firm that specializes in toxic exposure cases, they can now recover the financial compensation they are entitled to for their suffering from the responsible companies.
What hazardous agents are present on Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base?
At the end of 2019, multiple organizations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, found high levels of PFAS contaminating the site of the Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base. When AFFF is used to extinguish jet fuel and petroleum fires, it unavoidably releases large amounts of PFAS in the environment, from which they are very difficult to remove, as they are also known as “forever chemicals”. Similarly, if PFAS enter the human body, they reside there forever, being able to cause serious diseases such as cancer.
Recently, the 173rd Fighter Wing has partnered with local community experts and created a working group to attend to the issue of PFAS contamination on Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base. "By partnering with our community, we can leverage the combined expertise of community leaders, other government agencies, and local colleges. Through collaboration with our partners, we can best assess the situation and develop a way forward", said Col. Jeff Edwards.
What diseases can veterans develop as a result of PFAS exposure?
Undoubtedly, cancer is the most serious disease prolonged exposure to PFAS can result in. Nevertheless, it can also lead to the development of other health problems. In order to qualify for filing a toxic exposure claim, however, you have to be diagnosed with one of the following diseases, as these have a definitive causal relation with PFAS exposure:
It is important to know that, if you are the family member of a veteran who was stationed with them at Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base and developed one of the diseases above, you are also eligible for compensation, which we can help you recover from the AFFF companies. Lastly, pregnant women who spent time at this military base and gave birth to children with health problems can seek financial compensation as well on their behalf.
