Today, Representative Mark Green urged the Department of Defense to complete a study on toxic exposure experienced by veterans stationed at Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Air Base during the War on Terror. This call follows the Biden administration’s alleged inaction over four years. The study was mandated by an amendment in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
In his letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Rep. Green emphasized, “The K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act instructed the Department of Defense to conduct a study and report on the toxic exposure experienced by the servicemembers who served at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (K2), also known as Camp Stronghold Freedom, in Uzbekistan between 2001-2005. Congress mandated the report be completed within 180 days; it has been over four years.”
Green further stated, “Because this study has yet to be completed (as far as Congress is aware), many K2 veterans are still waiting to receive much needed care. This is unjust. There were repeated warnings at Camp Stronghold Freedom that servicemembers were being exposed to toxins, and yet their health and safety were ignored by the Pentagon leadership of that day.”
Karshi-Khanabad Air Base was used as a base of operations during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2005. Many servicemembers documented hazardous conditions there, leading some to testify before Congress. Despite numerous reports of cancer and other health issues among veterans who served at K2, care from the Department of Veterans Affairs has often been denied.
Rep. Green’s legislative efforts include introducing several acts aimed at securing medical coverage for affected veterans, such as the K2 Veterans Total Coverage Act and K2 Veterans Care Act.
