Davis-Monthan AFB is home to the 355th Wing and the famous Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), known as the "Boneyard" — the world's largest aircraft storage and preservation facility. Asbestos was present in aircraft stored, dismantled, and maintained at the base, as well as in the base's older maintenance hangars and support facilities.
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Asbestos History at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Davis-Monthan AFB is home to the 355th Wing and the famous Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), known as the "Boneyard" — the world's largest aircraft storage and preservation facility. Asbestos was present in aircraft stored, dismantled, and maintained at the base, as well as in the base's older maintenance hangars and support facilities.
Key Facts
Davis-Monthan was established in 1927 as a municipal airport and became a full Army Air Corps base in 1940.
The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan stores over 4,000 aircraft and is the world's largest aircraft storage, preservation, and regeneration facility.
Thousands of aircraft stored and disassembled at AMARG — particularly those built before 1975 — contained asbestos in gaskets, insulation, brakes, and firewall materials.
Davis-Monthan is home to the 563rd Rescue Group and serves as the primary USAF Combat Search and Rescue training and operational center.
Workers involved in aircraft tear-down at AMARG who failed to use proper respiratory protection faced significant asbestos inhalation risk from pre-1975 aircraft.
Where Asbestos Was Found at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Asbestos was integrated into the infrastructure of virtually every military installation built before 1980. At Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, documented asbestos-containing materials were found in:
Aircraft overhaul and maintenance hangars
AMARG aircraft storage and dismantling areas
Boiler plants and steam heating systems
Pipe insulation in base buildings
Aircraft engine overhaul facilities
Electronic warfare training buildings
WWII-era base infrastructure
Workers and service members in these areas faced chronic low-level exposure over the course of months or years. Because mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, many veterans who served decades ago are only receiving diagnoses today.
Affected Occupations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Certain occupational roles at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base carried significantly higher asbestos exposure risk due to direct contact with insulation, gaskets, pipe systems, and other asbestos-containing materials:
👷Aircraft maintenance technicians
👷AMARG aircraft preservation workers
👷Aircraft dismantling crews
👷Pipefitters
👷Electricians
👷Maintenance mechanics
👷Construction workers
Even workers who did not directly handle asbestos — such as supervisors, inspectors, or administrative personnel who spent time in affected areas — may have experienced bystander exposure sufficient to cause mesothelioma decades later.
Asbestos Trust Funds for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Veterans
The companies that manufactured and supplied asbestos-containing materials used at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base have established bankruptcy trust funds totaling over $30 billion to compensate victims. Veterans and workers exposed at this installation may be eligible to file claims against multiple trusts:
Johns-Manville
Owens Corning
W.R. Grace
Armstrong World Industries
Trust fund claims are separate from VA benefits — you can pursue both simultaneously. Most trust fund claims are resolved within 12 to 18 months. Our attorneys handle the entire process with no upfront cost.
VA Benefits for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Veterans
Air Force veterans at this base encountered asbestos in aircraft maintenance hangars, missile facilities, base housing insulation, and technical operations buildings.
VA Disability & Healthcare Benefits
100% VA Disability Rating — Mesothelioma automatically qualifies for the maximum VA disability rating, providing monthly compensation of $3,737+ for a single veteran (2026 rates).
VA Healthcare — Full access to VA oncology centers, including specialized mesothelioma care at VA cancer centers.
Aid & Attendance — Additional monthly compensation for veterans who need help with daily activities due to illness.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) — Monthly payments to surviving spouses and dependent children of veterans who died from service-connected asbestos diseases.
Vocational Rehabilitation — Job training and career services for veterans whose condition affects their ability to work.
Your Legal Rights as a Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Veteran
Veterans with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer have the right to file civil lawsuits against the manufacturers of asbestos products used at their base — separate from and in addition to VA claims. These lawsuits are filed against the asbestos companies, not the military, and do not affect your VA benefits.
Statute of Limitations — Act Before Your Deadline
Every state imposes a filing deadline — called the statute of limitations — for mesothelioma claims. In most states, you have 2 to 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file. Missing this deadline permanently bars your right to compensation.
Our attorneys have worked with veterans from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and dozens of other military installations. We understand the unique exposure history, documentation requirements, and combination of VA + civil litigation strategies that maximize compensation for veterans and their families. No fees unless we win.
Free Case Review for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Veterans
If you or a family member served at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, contact us today. Our attorneys are available 24/7 and will review your case at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was there asbestos at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base?
Yes. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Tucson, Arizona) has documented asbestos exposure from 1927–present. Asbestos was used in Aircraft overhaul and maintenance hangars, AMARG aircraft storage and dismantling areas, Boiler plants and steam heating systems, and other areas throughout the installation. Asbestos-related diseases linked to this base include mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Can Air Force veterans from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base get compensation?
Yes. Veterans who served at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for compensation from asbestos trust funds including Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, W.R. Grace. Personal injury lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers are also available. Our firm works on contingency — no fees unless we win.
What VA benefits are available for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base veterans?
Veterans who served at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and developed asbestos-related diseases may qualify for VA disability compensation at up to 100% disability rating, VA healthcare including specialized oncology treatment, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for severe disability, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving family members.
Can family members of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base workers file claims?
Yes. Family members who were exposed to asbestos brought home on work clothing (called secondary or take-home exposure) and later developed mesothelioma may file their own compensation claims. Spouses who washed work uniforms and children who were regularly near an exposed worker face documented secondary exposure risk. Courts in all 50 states recognize these claims.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Danziger & De Llano, LLP. Every case is unique; outcomes depend on individual facts and circumstances. Statute of limitations deadlines vary by state. Contact an attorney to discuss the specific facts of your situation.
