Capitol Hill focuses renewed scrutiny on cancer rates among Aviators and Missileers
The Aviators Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act and the Rotary-wing Operator Toxic Occupational Research (ROTOR) Act are gaining momentum in the U.S. legislative system, with both pieces of legislation aiming to address elevated cancer rates among military aviators.
The ACES Act, which has been passed by Congress, is currently making its way through the Senate. If signed into law, the study's findings are due within a year, and it will cover all rotary-wing pilots and aviation support staff who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force after Feb. 28, 1961. The study is expected to use data from the VA and Pentagon to determine cancer rates and fatalities among active-duty military aircrews.
The ACES Act has been introduced in honor of retired colonel Andy Shurtleff, a friend of the bill's co-sponsor, Air Force Reserve colonel Rep. August Pfluger. The study's findings could lead to further congressional action, as there is quiet optimism that they will shed light on the issue.
In addition to the ACES Act, the ROTOR Act is also under consideration. This study will focus on rotary-wing (helicopter) aircrew occupational health and cancer risk studies. The ROTOR Act directs the Pentagon's Defense Health Agency, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Institute to determine whether aviators who work with helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft are diagnosed with a higher rate of cancer than the general population.
These initiatives respond to findings such as the 2021 study showing an 87% higher melanoma rate among former and active U.S. military aviators compared to a demographically similar U.S. population. The Melanoma Research Program, funded by Congress with $40 million in 2025, supports research targeting melanoma in service members, reflecting recognition of elevated UV and possibly chemical or altitude exposures among aviators.
Meanwhile, the British military is also dealing with military service-connected cancer cases. At least 180 current and former British military aircrews are looking to sue the Ministry of Defence, with the military investigating the link between cancer and working on the Sea King, Wessex, Puma, and Chinook aircraft.
The Military Aviator Coalition for Health, an advocacy group, supports both the ACES Act and the ROTOR Act. Additionally, an amendment to the House's annual defense policy bill calls for the National Academies to review the Air Force's missile community cancer study and run its own study of the occupational health and safety hazards facing Airmen at Minuteman III missile facilities.
In June, officials released new data showing that troops face slightly elevated cancer risk compared to all Americans. This data underscores the need for studies like the ACES Act and the ROTOR Act, which aim to address these concerns and improve the health and safety of military aviators.
- The Aviators Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act is currently beinganalyzed in the Senate, following its passage by Congress.
- The ACES Act, once signed into law, will investigate cancer rates and fatalities among rotary-wing pilots and aviation support staff in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.
- The study will utilize data from the VA and Pentagon to determine if there's a higher occurrence of cancer among active-duty military aircrews.
- The ACES Act is named after retired colonel Andy Shurtleff, a friend of the bill's co-sponsor, Air Force Reserve colonel Rep. August Pfluger.
- The ROTOR Act, another piece of legislation, focuses on rotary-wing aircrew occupational health and cancer risk studies, and is under consideration.
- If passed, the ROTOR Act will direct the Pentagon's Defense Health Agency, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Institute to determine cancer rates among helicopter and tiltrotor aircraft operators.
- findings such as the 2021 study showing an 87% higher melanoma rate among US military aviators have led to the introduction of the ACES Act and the ROTOR Act.
- The Melanoma Research Program, funded by Congress with $40 million in 2025, was established to support research targeting melanoma in service members due to increased UV and possibly chemical or altitude exposures among aviators.
- Aside from the ACES Act and the ROTOR Act, a House amendment calls for the National Academies to review the Air Force's missile community cancer study and conduct their own study on the occupational health and safety hazards faced by Airmen at Minuteman III missile facilities.
