Missile Community
A perimeter check around a missile
alert facility
Source: U.S. Air Force
Members of the Missile Community - the Veterans and Service members who staff the Air Force missile silo facilities across the United States - are vital to the safety and security of our Nation, and VA is committed to investigating the potential exposure-related health impacts of their deployments. Veterans and Service members voiced concerns about adverse health effects that they believe are related to environmental exposures at the missile silos, specifically increased risks of cancers, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Currently, research remains inconclusive as to whether working at missile facilities poses increased risk of cancers.
In 2001, the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) conducted a review that showed no environmental or workplace concerns among those who served at missile alert facilities at Malmstrom Air Force Base (AFB), Montana. A follow-up study in 2005 showed no sufficient evidence of a cancer cluster at Malmstrom AFB.
Current study efforts
USAFSAM, as requested by Air Force Global Strike Command, is conducting a study to address cancer concerns in the missile community. The Missile Community Cancer Study, led by the Department of Defense (DOD), evaluates environmental factors at three intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) wings and ICBM facilities at Vanderberg Space Force Base. This study compares cancer rates for 14 common cancers – including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – in the general population compared to Service members working in missile-related careers. This study will formally address specific cancer concerns raised by community members across related career fields and examine the potential for unusual patterns of cancers at intercontinental ballistic missile bases. VA is awaiting the preliminary study results to review the cancers morbidity and mortality in the missile community.
This study includes collaborators from the DOD, the Air Force Global Strike Command, the Defense Health Agency, the Air Force Aerospace School of Medicine, VA’s Health Outcomes Military Exposures, VA National Oncology Program and Veteran's Benefits Administration.
Health concerns?
If you are concerned about health effects from service in missile-related career fields, talk to your health care provider.
Veterans not enrolled in the VA health care system, find out if you qualify for VA health care.
Compensation benefits for health problems
Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to their military service. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. File a claim online.
Learn more about VA benefits.
