USS Makin Island (LHD-8), the last and most advanced ship of the Wasp class amphibious assault ships, was commissioned at Ingalls Shipbuilding in October 2009 and served in the Pacific Fleet. Makin Island introduced a hybrid electric/gas turbine propulsion system to the LHD class, replacing the steam turbines of her predecessors with General Electric LM2500 gas turbines and electric motors for lower-speed operations, dramatically improving fuel efficiency. Makin Island deployed throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans supporting Marine Expeditionary Unit operations and humanitarian missions. Commissioned in 2009, Makin Island was built using construction materials consistent with the 2000s shipbuilding period.

USS Makin Island Propulsion Plant and Construction

Makin Island’s hybrid propulsion plant and hull construction reflected 2000s construction specifications:

  • Gas turbine enclosure insulation — Makin Island’s LM2500 gas turbine engine enclosures and associated exhaust systems incorporated insulation materials consistent with 2000s naval construction specifications
  • Auxiliary machinery spaces — Makin Island’s electric propulsion motor rooms, auxiliary machinery spaces, and supporting systems were constructed consistent with 2000s shipbuilding standards
  • Troop berthing, well deck, hangar deck, and auxiliary spaces — Makin Island’s troop berthing areas, aviation hangar deck, vehicle well deck, and auxiliary spaces were constructed using the hull construction materials of the 2000s building period

VA Claims for USS Makin Island Veterans

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Machinist’s Mates, Gas Turbine System Technicians, aviation ratings, Marine Corps personnel, and crew members who served aboard USS Makin Island and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.

Product & Manufacturer Reference

The asbestos-containing products documented on U.S. Navy vessels and at shipyards are catalogued by manufacturer on AsbestosIndex. These records cross-reference which companies supplied which materials and to which facilities.

Pipe Covering & Block Insulation Thermal insulation applied to steam lines, valves, and equipment in engine rooms and fire rooms Marine Products Insulation, gaskets, and packing products specified for naval and commercial marine applications Boilers & Steam Equipment Boiler manufacturers and insulation products — central to the fire room exposure pathway Gaskets & Packing Sheet and ring gaskets used throughout piping flanges, valve bonnets, and pump housings Electrical Products Wire insulation, switchgear arc chutes, and panel liners used throughout electrical spaces Full Product Index Search all 200+ manufacturers and 1,500+ documented asbestos products on AsbestosIndex™

Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Makin Island

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the public asbestos litigation record document that the following Navy ratings worked routinely in spaces where ACM was installed, maintained, ripped out, and replaced:

VA Disability Claims for Asbestos-Related Disease

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates asbestos claims individually. A veteran generally needs medical evidence of a current asbestos-related disease, service evidence supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a medical opinion connecting the two. Ship assignments, Navy ratings, and equipment records can help document the exposure history but do not create automatic service connection.

Approved claims may provide monthly disability compensation and related benefits. Survivors may separately qualify for Dependency & Indemnity Compensation when the applicable requirements are met. Civil lawsuits and asbestos-trust claims use different standards; claimants should obtain individualized advice about how the processes interact.

How to file a VA disability claim: VA claims are filed directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — not with a law firm. Start at VA.gov › Hazardous Materials Exposure, call 1‑800‑827‑1000, or get free help filing from a Veterans Service Organization: DAV, VFW, or American Legion.

VA Claims Guide on This Site › Compare: VA vs. Civil Lawsuit

Source notes: equipment-manifest entries (where shown) are sourced from public-record BUSHIPS (Bureau of Ships) documentation, NARA archives, and the public asbestos litigation record. Manufacturer attributions link to documented asbestos-product histories on AsbestosIndex.com where available. Nothing on this page constitutes medical or legal advice.