The Air Force began researching cancer rates in the nuclear missile community in 2023, due to pressure from diseased missile officers.
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Lawmakers may immediately order independent research from ongoing Air Force research into the potential cancer risk for personnel that supply nuclear missiles.
The provisions of the House of Representatives’ Defense Policy Bill, if passed, require that the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine be asked to request research to consider the “occupational safety conditions” of Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Facilities. The site includes underground warning facilities where Air Force missile officers spend long shifts to launch in the case of nuclear war.
The move comes after independent researchers concluded that rare cancer cases were on the rise at Air Force missile bases in Montana, adding another wrinkle to the years-long push of responses.
The new research led by Congress will also scrutinize the methodology and design of the ongoing Air Force research on this issue.
The Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees Air Force medical services and the Air Force’s nuclear armed missile and bomber force, began researching cancer risk in the missile community in 2023 after Space Force officers compiled a list of cancer diagnosis at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.
Preliminary findings from Air Force research show that the military in the nuclear missile community does not have a higher cancer diagnosis or mortality rate than other active duty veterans and the general U.S. population.
However, an environmental survey of the official research confirmed the presence of potential cancer-causing chemicals in Malmstrom and Minott Air Force Base, North Dakota, a potential cancer-causing chemical.
Additionally, an independent evaluation of self-reported non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases in Malmstrom, announced in April, increased diagnosis between missaires.
Rep. Don Bacon of R-Nebraska submitted an independent research amendment that cleared key hurdles when it passed the House Armed Services Committee on July 16th. Bacon said he had met with one of his members – a sick retired missile officer – cited him.
“Let’s make sure we have external experts working with the Air Force,” said Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general. “We want to make sure we’ve done full due diligence when it comes to results.”
The Omaha-based representative added that before the Air Force builds a new planned Sentinel ICBM, it will need to learn what is wrong with the aging Minuteman III launch facility.
Air Force officials defended the rigour and transparency of ongoing research in a statement to USA Today.
“We welcome the opportunity for science and medical professionals to review and provide comments on Air Force research,” said Alana Miller, a spokesman for the Air Force Surgeons Department. Miller highlighted the internal independence of the Air Force epidemiologists conducting the research and the partnership with external researchers reviewing their findings.
The Torchlight Initiative, an advocacy group for missile community members, praised the independent research amendments in a press release. Torchlight records more than 800 self-reported cases of cancer and other exposure-related diseases among ICBM airlines and veterans.
“There is an urgent need for a sustained commitment to protecting future staff through thorough independent research, formal approval of possible exposures, and enhanced environmental surveillance,” the group argued.
For independent research to be carried out, this provision must do so in the final defense policy bill later this year. The House and Senate usually pass competitive versions of the law before negotiating a compromise bill on the president’s signature.
Davis Winkie’s role in covering nuclear threats and national security at USA Today is supported by partnership with Autorider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partner. Funders do not provide editor input.
