Blumenthal, Boozman, King & Duckworth Lead Bipartisan Push to Secure Long-Overdue Benefits for K2 Veterans

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Angus King (I-ME), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) are calling on the Department of Defense (DOD) to review and confirm the presence of radiation and toxic substances at the Karshi Khanabad (K2) Air Base in Uzbekistan so the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can deliver K2 veterans exposed to radiation long-overdue benefits.

"We write to request a review of the toxic substances present at the Karshi Khanabad (K2) Air Base in Uzbekistan. Nearly 16,000 service members deployed to K2 from 2001 to 2005. These service members have since developed serious health conditions. Yet, the federal government has not provided a consistent explanation of the hazards they encountered, which denies them the answers, care, and benefits they deserve," wrote the Senators in a letter to Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The Senators continued, "VA's ability to recognize radiation-related exposures…remains dependent on confirmation from the Department of Defense (DOD). Without an accurate accounting of the toxic substances found at K2 by the Department, VA is unable to ensure veterans who suffer from conditions related to radiation, jet fuels, asbestos, chemical agents, and other toxins receive the benefits they deserve."

The Senators pointed to early reviews identifying toxic substances at K2, and a study from the Army Medical Department Journal identifying a connection between K2 deployment and certain rare cancers associated with radiation exposure. They requested DOD conduct a review of the toxic and radiological substances present at K2, and a review of the potential health effects of combined exposure to the contaminants found at K2.

K2 was a military base in Uzbekistan where some of the first servicemembers were deployed in the Global War on Terror. It was a former chemical weapons site, and reporting has confirmed it was contaminated with uranium. While many K2 veterans suffer from radiation-exposure illnesses, VA has not utilized authorities from the PACT Act to expand coverage for veterans exposed to radiation at K2, citing no "enriched uranium was present at K2." As a result, the Senators are pushing DOD to confirm uranium was found at K2 and resolve differences in records that are leading to the "federal government's dismissal and denial of the hazards associated with [K2 veterans'] service."

The full text of the Senators' letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Hegseth,

We write to request a review of the toxic substances present at the Karshi Khanabad (K2) Air Base in Uzbekistan. Nearly 16,000 service members deployed to K2 from 2001 to 2005. These service members have since developed serious health conditions. Yet, the federal government has not provided a consistent explanation of the hazards they encountered, which denies them the answers, care, and benefits they deserve.

Early reviews identified a range of toxic substances at K2. However, follow-up reviews have disputed their toxicity, creating delays and confusion for veterans seeking care. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has acknowledged that conditions at K2 posed immediate and long-term risks to military personnel. VA's ability to recognize radiation-related exposures, however, remains dependent on confirmation from the Department of Defense (DOD). Without an accurate accounting of the toxic substances found at K2 by the Department, VA is unable to ensure veterans who suffer from conditions related to radiation, jet fuels, asbestos, chemical agents, and other toxins receive the benefits they deserve.

These veterans dispute the federal government's dismissal and denial of the hazards associated with their service. The Army Medical Department Journal previously identified a potential connection between K2 deployment and certain rare cancers associated with radiation exposure. Additionally, evidence submitted to the Federal Register by a former member of the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine's environmental assessment team confirms that enriched uranium was found at K2. If true, DOD must acknowledge enriched uranium was found at K2, as it explains the prevalence of cancer-related health conditions among K2 veterans. A complete review by the Department would resolve the differences in records.

We respectfully request the following:

1. Review all sources of information regarding toxic and radiological substances at K2, including health record data, scientific research, and information provided directly by service members.
2. A review of the potential health effects of combined exposure to contaminants found at K2. Previous reviews have focused on the health effects of exposure to each contaminant.

The men and women who served at K2 were among the first service members of the War on Terror and did so under difficult and hazardous conditions. They and their families deserve health care and benefits that account for the risks they encountered. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your continued commitment to those who served.

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