“They gave us a death sentence,” said former Air Force Sergeant Dave Crete, who testified before Congress that nearly 500 colleagues have since died.
Former US Air Force personnel who worked at Nevada’s secretive Area 51 have accused the government of ignoring fatal radiation exposure that left hundreds dead and their families suffering.
Speaking before the House Veterans Affairs Committee, ex-Sergeant Dave Crete said his brain is deteriorating due to atrophy. “I’m one of the lucky ones,” he added, noting that 490 of his co-workers have died of illness since their service.
Built on land previously used for nuclear tests, the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) exposed guards to radiation, veterans claim, but their medical care was denied due to classified records. “My wife had three miscarriages… all four of my children were born with birth defects,” Crete said.
Another veteran, Pomp Braswell, said they were told nothing about the risks, while records were “data masked” due to the classified nature of their work.
Despite past government promises, most remain unrecognized.
Two congressional bills—the Protect Act and the Forgotten Veterans Act—have been introduced to provide long-overdue compensation.
“The only recognition I’ve ever received was from Senator John McCain,” said Crete. “He told me my unit ended the Cold War.”
The US Air Force has yet to respond to media requests for comment.