Naval Station Adak — located on the remote Adak Island in Alaska’s Aleutian Island chain — was established in 1942 during the Aleutian Campaign to retake Attu and Kiska islands from Japanese occupation, and served continuously as a major North Pacific Navy base through 1997. Adak was the westernmost US Naval Station, positioned strategically for North Pacific and Bering Sea operations, and served as a primary base for submarine and ASW patrol operations throughout the Cold War. The extreme Arctic climate of the Aleutians drove the use of heavily insulated building construction throughout the base — construction that in the WWII through 1970s era incorporated extensive asbestos-containing thermal insulation in the buildings, pipelines, and mechanical systems that kept the base habitable and operational in some of the most inhospitable conditions of any Navy installation. Navy personnel serving at Adak in WWII and Cold War-era construction accumulated significant asbestos exposure from this heavily insulated facility stock.

Arctic Building Construction and Asbestos

Adak’s extreme climate required heavy insulation using asbestos-containing materials:

  • Heavily insulated facility construction — the WWII and Cold War-era buildings at Adak used extensive thermal insulation to keep facilities operational in the Aleutian climate, which brought severe cold, high winds, and persistent fog and rain. The pipe systems, mechanical rooms, and building construction at Adak used asbestos pipe covering, asbestos block insulation, and asbestos-containing building products in the insulation of the facility mechanical systems and building envelopes throughout the base
  • Steam distribution system insulation — the steam distribution system providing heat to Adak’s base facilities used asbestos-insulated pipe throughout the distribution network. Utility workers and Navy engineering ratings maintaining the steam distribution system at Adak worked in proximity to asbestos-insulated steam piping throughout the Cold War service period
  • Barracks and living facility insulation — the enlisted barracks and BOQ at Adak used military construction with asbestos-containing thermal insulation in the wall and ceiling construction to manage the Aleutian climate, creating persistent asbestos exposure for personnel living in these heavily insulated barracks structures

Cold War Submarine and ASW Operations Facilities

Adak’s role as a Cold War submarine and ASW base created additional exposure pathways:

  • Submarine support facilities — the submarine tender support facilities and submarine berthing pier facilities at Adak used military construction with asbestos-containing materials in the pier-side support buildings and workshops providing submarine maintenance support
  • ASW and patrol aircraft facilities — the patrol aircraft hangars and ASW operations facilities at Adak supporting P-3 Orion and earlier patrol aircraft used military construction with asbestos-containing materials in the aviation support facility building stock

VA Claims for Naval Station Adak Veterans

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Navy personnel who served at Naval Station Adak during any period from the station’s WWII establishment through its 1997 closure and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.