The first U.S. troops deployed post-9/11 are currently dealing with radiation exposure issues that the government has yet to formally acknowledge 23 years later. These troops were part of a group sent to a former Soviet base in Uzbekistan in October 2001, conducting missions against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Thousands of veterans who served at this base, known as K2, have since reported various medical conditions such as cancers and kidney problems believed to be linked to radiation exposure.
Despite evidence of radioactive uranium being found at the base, veterans stationed at K2 are not covered under the PACT Act, a significant veterans aid bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2022. Comedian Jon Stewart, a vocal advocate for first responders, has been working to ensure that these veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve. Stewart recently engaged with the Biden administration to push for changes in support of K2 veterans.
While a declassified 2001 Army report confirmed the presence of radioactive uranium at K2, the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs have yet to formally recognize the base as a location of radiation exposure. Despite promises from the White House and the Pentagon to review the matter thoroughly, delays in recognition have impeded veterans from accessing necessary benefits and healthcare.
According to Matt Erpelding, who leads the K2 veterans group Stronghold Freedom Foundation, numerous K2 veterans have passed away while waiting for their radiation-related illness claims to be acknowledged. Studies have shown that radiation exposure from uranium can lead to severe health issues, including kidney damage, bone cancer, and reproductive complications.
Efforts to address the concerns of K2 veterans have been ongoing, with bipartisan initiatives in Congress and new legislation aiming to recognize their toxic exposures. Despite these efforts, the government has cited ongoing studies and data limitations as reasons for the delayed acknowledgment of radiation exposure at K2. The veterans, who have raised awareness about their plight, hope for prompt recognition and support from the government.
As Uzbekistan plays a more active role in regional counterterrorism efforts, and with a small number of U.S. troops being regularly deployed to the country in recent years, discussions have taken place to enhance strategic partnerships. The efforts made by K2 veterans and advocates like Jon Stewart seek to ensure that those who served at the base receive the recognition and care they rightfully deserve.
