Karshi Khanabad Air Base

Quick Facts:

392

Unique Chemical Compounds

The documents declassified by the Department of Defense show just under 400 different chemical compounds that K2 veterans were exposed to.

500%

Greater Chance of Developing Cancer

According to a 2015 Army study; K2 veterans are now dying at an increasing rate, potentially due to this exposure.

15,777+

Military Personnel Were Deployed to K2

While there were as many as 1,300 US Service Members at the base at any one time, there were also hundreds of aircrew members who were transient at the base from 2001-2005 who did crew rest (in 8-12 hour intervals) at the base.

75%

Will Develop an Illness

A study of US Service Members that deployed only to Uzbekistan shows that over 75% have developed some sort of K2 related illness.

K2 Facts

15,777+ U.S. troops: 15,777+ deployed from 2001-2005 to K2 - Karshi-Khanabad, a former Soviet base.

Toxic Exposure: Our nation’s heroes were exposed to depleted uranium, chemical weapons (such as cyanide in the showers), and fuels and solvents which manifested as toxic black goo.

Cancer: 500% higher likelihood of cancer according to a 2015 Army study; K2 veterans are now dying at an increasing rate, potentially due to this exposure.

The DoD recently conducted an initial study to look at cancer outcomes among service members deployed to K-2 and found a higher risk of malignant melanoma and neoplasms of the lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues (excluding Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Leukemia).

The VA is participating with DoD in follow-up to assess the health of those who deployed to K-2. VA and DoD hope this research will provide more definitive scientific evidence on the relationship between health and exposures at K-2.

Historical Responses: VA and DoD have historically stood by idly far too long as our troops suffered from Agent Orange in Vietnam and from burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan – this cannot happen again.

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Legislation Summary

H.R. 5957: “K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020”

Introduced by Reps. Green and Lynch
Epidemiological study
K2 Registry
Independent scientific review
Presumption of service connection for K2 illnesses

4429: “K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Act of 2020”

Introduced by Sens. Blackburn, Baldwin, and Feinstein
Epidemiological study
K2 veteran eligibility for the VA Burn Pits Registry and depleted uranium medical follow up programs
Access to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to studies conducted by the VA and DoD.

S. 4384: “K2 Veterans Advocacy Act of 2020”

Introduced by Sen. Sullivan
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement with the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to complete a study on illnesses and report to Congress within two years.
Uzbekistan be included in certain registries, including burn pits.

S. UNK (not yet introduced): ‘‘Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Toxins Act of 2020’’

Introduced by Sen. Gillibrand
Presumptive service connection for certain diseases linked to exposure
Includes Uzbekistan on a list with 28 other countries,
Requires follow-up research by National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)

S. 4393: “Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020 (TEAM Act)”

Introduced by Sen.Tillis
Does not include Uzbekistan
Provides consultation and testing through VA for eligible veterans exposed to toxic substances. - Requires VA to respond to new scientific evidence regarding diseases associated with toxic exposure within an established timeframe
Establishes a scientific commission to research the health effects of toxic exposure in veterans and report the commission’s findings to VA and Congress
Ensures VA enters into agreements with the NASEM to conduct scientific studies regarding associations between diseases and exposure to toxic substances during military service
Develops a portal for veterans to access the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record
Expands training on toxic exposure issues for VA health care and benefits personnel
Requires VA to develop a questionnaire for primary care appointments to help determine whether a veteran may have been exposed to toxic substances during service

**K2 veterans will not be fully recognized until Uzbekistan is added to Chapter 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (38 CFR) §§3.317(c)(1) and 3.317(e)(1)-(2). These sections define the Southwest Asia theater of operations – including Afghanistan – and defines several presumptive conditions, all of which have occurred in K2 veterans.

Learn More About Legislation

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