Comedian Jon Stewart and troops who served at the toxic base in Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan, known as K2, are frustrated after being told by the Department of Veterans Affairs that they will have to wait for a decision on whether their illnesses are connected to uranium exposure. Despite the passage of the PACT Act in 2022, which aimed to help veterans access care, the bill did not address uranium exposure issues for the troops who were deployed shortly after 9/11. K2, a former Soviet base used by special operations forces, was contaminated with yellow powdered uranium, leading to high radiation levels that have caused serious health problems for many veterans over the past two decades.
Despite efforts by advocates like Jon Stewart and veterans like Kim Brooks, who lost her husband to brain cancer believed to be related to his service at K2, the VA has yet to recognize the radiation-related illnesses of these veterans. The confusion over the type of uranium present at K2 has been a major roadblock to getting these troops the care they need. More than 15,000 troops were deployed at K2, with over 1,500 reporting serious medical conditions such as cancers, kidney problems, and reproductive issues.
For veterans like Mark Jackson, who has struggled with severe health issues related to his service at K2, recognition from the VA is about more than medical coverage – it’s about acknowledging their exposure and providing them with the care and support they deserve. With Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin involved in the discussions about K2 veterans’ health claims, there is hope that progress will finally be made to address the long-standing issue of uranium exposure and its impact on these veterans.
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