Concerns Rise Over Cancer Risks Among U.S. Nuclear Missile Operators

In a poignant moment at a memorial service in 2022, Air Force veteran Capt. Monte Watts encountered a fellow former Minuteman III missile operator who revealed her battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This conversation took a personal turn for Watts later that day when he learned he had been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. “I don’t know if it was ironic or serendipitous or what the right word is, but there it was,” Watts reflected, highlighting a troubling trend among those who have served in the U.S. nuclear missile community.

A Growing Concern

The community of missileers, who operate the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) stationed across the Northern Rockies and Great Plains, has long harbored suspicions about the safety of their work environments. These concerns gained traction following Watts’ diagnosis and the subsequent findings of Lt. Col. Danny Sebeck, a former missileer who transitioned to the U.S. Space Force. In early 2022, Sebeck authored a report indicating a potential cancer cluster among personnel who served at Minuteman III launch control centers, particularly at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.

Sebeck’s investigation identified 36 former missileers diagnosed with various cancers, including 11 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, three of which resulted in fatalities. The Air Force responded promptly, initiating a comprehensive investigation into cancer cases and environmental conditions at three ICBM bases and a California launch facility, with a completion target set for the end of 2025.

Historical Context of Military Health Issues

Historically, the Department of Defense has faced criticism for its slow acknowledgment of environmental health risks affecting veterans. Cases like those of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, Marines who ingested contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and service members near burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan illustrate a pattern of delayed recognition. The missileers’ situation echoes these past struggles, as they seek to establish a clear link between their military service and their health issues to expedite benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In previous studies conducted in 2001 and 2005, the Air Force concluded that launch control centers were “safe and healthy working environments.” However, Sebeck’s findings prompted a reevaluation, with Air Force Global Strike Command acknowledging that earlier studies may not have adequately captured the medical histories of those affected.

The Role of PCBs and Environmental Hazards

A significant concern for missileers is exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), synthetic chemicals used in electrical components of missile control systems. Banned since 1979 due to their toxicity and classification as probable carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency, PCBs have raised alarms among former missileers. The ongoing Missile Community Cancer Study aims to compare cancer rates among missileers with those in the general population while investigating environmental factors at key bases, including Malmstrom, F.E. Warren in Wyoming, and Minot in North Dakota.

These bases collectively house 400 Minuteman III missiles, a critical component of the U.S. nuclear triad, which also includes submarine and aircraft-launched nuclear weapons. The missileers operate from underground launch control centers, often under conditions that may expose them to hazardous materials.

Preliminary Findings and Ongoing Investigations

As of now, the Air Force’s investigation has not identified “statistically elevated” cancer death rates among missileers compared to the general population. Initial findings indicated lower rates of certain cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, among missileers. However, these conclusions are based on incomplete data, and Air Force officials have cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions at this stage.

The final report will incorporate a broader range of data, including civilian cancer registries, to provide a more nuanced understanding of the potential health risks associated with service in the missile community. Air Force Col. Richard Speakman emphasized the importance of this comprehensive approach, stating that it may yield deeper insights into the complex relationship between military service and cancer risk.

Legislative and Advocacy Efforts

The concerns raised by missileers have garnered attention from lawmakers. Following a review by the University of North Carolina that indicated higher rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among Malmstrom missileers, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) introduced an amendment to a defense policy bill. This amendment calls for an independent review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to assess health and safety conditions at missile facilities.

Advocacy groups like the Torchlight Initiative, co-directed by Sebeck, are pushing for legislative changes to include missileers in the PACT Act, which provides health care and benefits for veterans affected by environmental hazards. Sebeck noted that many missileers are now facing serious health challenges, often finding themselves in oncology offices together, receiving chemotherapy.

Moving Forward

As the Air Force continues its investigation, the urgency for clarity and accountability remains high. Watts, whose case has been highlighted by advocacy efforts, has called for an investigation by the Defense Department’s inspector general. He recalls a time when his crew was subjected to potentially hazardous conditions, including the burning of classified materials indoors and exposure to contaminated water.

The Air Force has since made improvements to air circulation in launch control centers and ceased the practice of burning code tapes indoors. However, the lingering health concerns among missileers underscore the need for ongoing monitoring and support.

Maj. Lauren Linscott, a spokesperson for Air Force Global Strike Command, acknowledged the impact of cancer on personnel and reiterated the commitment to a thorough, data-driven investigation. “While current findings are preliminary and no conclusions can yet be drawn, we are dedicated to a rigorous, peer-reviewed process to better understand potential health risks,” Linscott stated.

As the Air Force prepares to release its final epidemiological report, the stakes remain high for those who have served in the missile community. The outcomes of these investigations could not only shape the future of health care for veterans but also set a precedent for how the military addresses environmental health risks moving forward.

Conclusion

The plight of missileers grappling with cancer diagnoses serves as a stark reminder of the potential health risks associated with military service. As investigations unfold and advocacy efforts gain momentum, the hope is that these veterans will receive the recognition and support they deserve, paving the way for a more proactive approach to environmental health issues within the armed forces.