Naval Air Station Meridian
Meridian, MS
Known Toxins1
Years of Operation1961-Present
Base Background
Naval Air Station Meridian was commissioned as Naval Auxiliary Air Station Meridian on July 14, 1961, on a site in Lauderdale and Kemper counties about 20 miles northeast of Meridian, Mississippi, and became a full Naval Air Station in July 1968. It has operated since as one of the Navy’s two jet strike pilot training bases: Training Air Wing One, commissioned in 1971, oversees Training Squadrons VT-7 and VT-9, which fly the T-45 Goshawk in undergraduate strike pilot training, alongside the Naval Technical Training Center and Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One.
Toxic Exposure at NAS Meridian
Naval Air Station Meridian identified former sludge disposal areas and old fire training areas on base as locations where per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could have entered the environment, tied to decades of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) use in firefighting training. Remedial investigation began in 2020 and is expected to continue through 2028.
Those who lived, worked, or trained at NAS Meridian while AFFF was still in routine use may not see a related cancer surface until years or decades afterward. If you were at the base and later developed a medical condition associated with PFAS exposure, our VA disability lawyers may be able to help you obtain compensation and other veteran benefits. Contact the Hill & Ponton team for a free case evaluation to explore your options.
Known Toxins
The following chart outlines the medical conditions associated with toxic exposure at this base, classified by the strength of evidence required (strong, good or limited).* Please keep in mind that it is not a complete list.
| Toxin | Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | Good | Limited | ||
| PFAS (Firefighting Foam) | Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed | - | - | Testicular cancer Renal (kidney) cancer... Prostate cancer |
*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.
Paths to Compensation
Veterans who lived or worked at or near Naval Air Station Meridian may be able to receive compensation for PFAS exposure while in service. Developing a successful VA disability claim requires:
- Documenting the time spent at the base using service records and other documentation
- Gathering comprehensive medical evidence
- Obtaining expert medical opinions to establish a link between the diagnosed medical conditions and the toxic exposure
Our VA-accredited lawyers know what it takes to win a toxic exposure claim. Contact us for a free evaluation: we specialize in disability law and work on a contingency basis, with no upfront fees.