Naval Air Station Jacksonville Naval Air Station Jacksonville is a major Navy aviation installation in northeast Florida. Aircraft maintenance facilities, hangars, and support buildings contained asbestos materials that exposed aviation mechanics, maintenance crews, and other personnel for decades.
Last verified: 2026-03-09NAS Jacksonville was commissioned in 1940 and served as a primary naval aviation training and maintenance facility throughout World War II and the Cold War. The station's hangars, maintenance shops, and administrative buildings were constructed using asbestos-containing materials standard in military construction. Aircraft repair operations also involved asbestos-containing brake components, gaskets, and heat shields.
Aviation mechanics working on military aircraft encountered asbestos in brake assemblies, heat shields, and engine gaskets. Hangar insulation and building materials deteriorated over decades, releasing fibers into work areas. Facility maintenance workers who repaired plumbing, HVAC systems, and electrical infrastructure in older buildings were also routinely exposed.
The following job categories at Naval Air Station Jacksonville had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Veterans and civilian employees who worked at NAS Jacksonville have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Aviation mechanics who regularly serviced brake systems faced particularly concentrated exposure. The warm Florida climate accelerated the degradation of asbestos-containing building materials.
Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Naval Air Station Jacksonville may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.
Find Out If You QualifyWorkers who were employed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville between 1940s–1980s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.
If you were exposed to asbestos at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Florida may be able to help.
Military aircraft used asbestos in brake linings, heat shields, gaskets, and engine components. Mechanics who serviced, repaired, or replaced these parts inhaled asbestos fibers released during the work. This was especially common with older aircraft types.
Yes. Civilian employees working in maintenance, construction, and facility operations at the air station were exposed to the same asbestos-containing materials as military personnel. Civilian workers may file both VA-related claims and separate civil lawsuits.
Veterans should file a VA disability claim citing asbestos exposure during service and consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Both VA benefits and legal compensation from asbestos manufacturers may be available simultaneously.
If you or a loved one worked at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.
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