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At the transition from the Cold War era, the Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, or K2, once served as a vital launch point for U.S. military operations following the events of September 11, 2001. However, this base, initially a Soviet installation, has since transformed into a site associated with alarming health consequences for the service members stationed there.
For many veterans, the site is more than just a memory of military service; it has become a symbol of their ongoing struggle for proper medical care and acknowledgment of hazardous exposures. Research highlighted concern not just for threats posed by adversaries, but also for significant dangers inherent in the ground and environment surrounding the base.
Uncovering the Toxic Legacy
Matthew “Nick” Nicholls, an Army environmental technician and preventive medicine specialist, was among the initial teams tasked with evaluating the environmental threats at K2. His findings were sobering. “It is probably the most toxic soup of chemicals that any service member has ever been exposed to,” he stated during an interview.
Significant contaminants were present at K2, including yellowcake uranium seeping from the soil and jet fuel along with chemicals from deteriorating Soviet rocket bunkers permeating the air and ground. Veteran testimonies describe dangerous fumes that enveloped the base, representing a constant health threat.
During his time there, Nicholls and his team issued numerous warnings to military commanders about the environmental risks. They advocated for measures like gravel overlay to limit toxic dust exposure and requested limits on operational durations in high-risk areas. Despite these precautions, many were implemented only partially.
The Human Cost of Exposure
Nicholls now faces the painful reality that friends and fellow veterans are succumbing to cancer and other severe health issues. He articulated the troubling trend: “People that I am friends with are actively dying from cancer right now. These are weird ontologies that are striking down people who are very young, people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, in the prime of their life.”
Reports from K2 veterans indicate an alarming incidence of rare and aggressive cancers, reproductive health issues, osteoarthritis, and a string of unexplained fatalities. Nicholls laments, “These are not the cancers that young people normally get. Their stories are not really able to be told. That’s the tragedy of it.”
Government Response to Health Concerns
The veterans returning from K2 are now grappling with the aftermath of their service while seeking appropriate medical treatment. Over 15,000 U.S. service members cycled through K2 between 2001 and 2005, with countless contractors also exposed to the hazardous conditions. Unfortunately, many veterans face challenges when attempting to secure recognition of their health issues from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The VA acknowledges that these veterans “may have encountered several hazardous exposures,” but their initial studies on cancer outcomes were limited and inconclusive. Critics argue that the studies failed to account for the full spectrum of health repercussions linked to the severe contamination at K2.
A spokesperson for Rep. Mark Green expressed frustration regarding these limited findings. They argued that the issues at K2 warranted deeper examination and that previous studies did not adequately inform those who served about potential exposure risks or the diseases associated with such hazards. To address these concerns, Rep. Green introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act advocating for comprehensive epidemiological studies.
Legislative Push for Action
Efforts to address the situation have encountered delays. In 2021, Green and Rep. Stephen Lynch introduced a requirement for the Pentagon to complete a study on K2 exposure, scheduled for completion within 180 days. However, four years later, this study remains unfinished, contributing to the growing dissatisfaction among veterans.
Green emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “This is unjust. There were repeated warnings that service members were being exposed to toxins, and yet their health and safety were ignored by Pentagon leadership of that day.” Recently, he has intensified his campaign, urging the Pentagon to complete this neglected study, which is critical for securing medical care for K2 veterans.
In a letter underscoring the importance of the study, Green noted, “Because this study has yet to be completed (as far as Congress is aware), many K2 veterans are still waiting to receive much-needed care. This is unjust.”
A Call for Recognition and Support
In 2024, the VA initiated steps to enhance access to disability benefits for K2 veterans and reduce the evidentiary burden required to connect service to illness. However, some advocates contend that measures taken are insufficient. Green voiced concern over the VA’s hesitance, stating, “I think it really purely comes down to cost. I get that the VA wants to be judicious, but my God, the numbers here are so convincing. This is long past due.”
New legislation introduced by Green seeks to establish a formal acknowledgment of the links between toxic exposure at K2 and various diseases, ensuring that veterans affected can qualify for care and benefits.
The Lasting Impact of Toxic Exposure
The list of toxins present at K2 includes a range of hazardous materials such as petrochemicals, volatile organic compounds, depleted uranium, burn pits, and tetrachloroethylene, all linked to long-term health consequences. Unfortunately, K2 veterans are not specifically mentioned in the PACT Act, which addressed coverage for toxic exposures like Agent Orange and burn pits.
As a former Army physician, Green sees striking similarities to previous instances of bureaucratic delay. He emphasized the need to ensure these veterans do not become another forgotten group in desperate need of help, stating, “Bureaucrats come and go, and bureaucrats have their own agendas. I want to make sure that it’s written in stone and that these guys are not forgotten.”
