George Air Force Base
Base Background
George Air Force Base opened during World War II and was originally called Victorville Army Flying School. The main mission of the base was to support and train tactile fighters and air crews. Flight training continues until the base’s closure in 1992. Since many of the aircraft maintenance activities produced hazardous waste, the Air Force launched cleanup efforts in 1981. Targeted areas included contaminated groundwater and soil.
George Air Force Base Contamination History
The primary contaminants included trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and jet fuel that seeped into soil and groundwater from aircraft maintenance, fuel spills, and leaking storage tanks. Industrial operations contributed additional contamination through metal plating that released chromium and lead, while fire training areas became heavily polluted from repeated jet fuel burning. The base’s disposal areas and landfills contained PCBs, pesticides, and radiological waste. Years of dumping waste oils and solvents directly onto the ground created deep soil contamination.
Multiple toxic groundwater plumes developed beneath the base, affecting both service members and nearby communities. Women living on the base reported high rates of reproductive health issues, miscarriages and birth defects. Despite being designated as a Superfund site in 1990 and ongoing cleanup efforts, significant contamination remains at George Air Force Base.
Known Toxins
The following chart outlines the toxins associated with this military location and the potential effects of exposure.*
| Toxin | Potential Effects | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | Good | Limited | ||
| Dioxins | Potential Effects | - | Thyroid disorders Hypothyroidism | Reduced Fertility Female (infertility and subfertility), Peripheral neuropathy, Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate), Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span), Cataracts |
| Jet Fuel | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Pesticides/Insecticides | Potential Effects | Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Contact dermatitis Irritant, Contact dermatitis Allergic | Testicular cancer, Renal (kidney) cancer, Porphyria toxic, Photosensitivity, Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Multiple myeloma, Childhood Leukemias, Bone cancer/Ewings sarcoma | Wilm's Tumor, Vasculitis, Thyroid disorders Hypothyroidism, Thyroid cancer, Thrombocytopenic purpura, Soft tissue sarcoma, Rheumatoid arthritis, Retinoblastoma, Pneumonia, Melanoma, Laryngeal cancer, Esophageal cancer, Congenital malformations general, Cirrhosis, Cervical cancer, Bronchitis chronic, Bronchitis acute, Alzheimer's, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) |
| Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPE) | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Trichloroethylene (TCE) | Potential Effects | Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) | Scleroderma, Renal (kidney) cancer, Psychiatric disturbances, Lymphoma non Hodgkin's, Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer), Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth), Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium, Cirrhosis, Childhood Leukemias, Cardiac congenital malformations, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Arrhythmias | Trigeminal neuropathy, Testicular cancer, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Raynaud's phenomenon, Prostate cancer, Peripheral neuropathy, Pancreatitis, Pancreatic cancer, Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate), Neural tube defects/CNS malformations, Nephrotic syndrome, Multiple myeloma, Lung cancer, Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age, Immune suppression, Hodgkin's Disease (lymphoma), Genitourinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias), Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span), Choanal atresia, Cervical cancer, Brain cancer adult, Adult-Onset Leukemias, ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity, Acute tubular necrosis |
Contamination also included medical wastes, construction debris, and various inorganic compounds. Recent investigations have raised concerns about potential exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from firefighting foam use.
*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.
If you were stationed, lived, or worked on George Air Force Base and experienced adverse health effects, you may be eligible for compensation.
Can You Make a VA Disability Claim for Toxic Exposure?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes toxic exposure during military service as potentially eligible for disability benefits. Veterans who were stationed at George Air Force Base and later experienced adverse health effects may be eligible for compensation.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition related to toxic contamination following service (please note the illness list above may be incomplete), get in touch for a free evaluation of your case.