Military Aviator Coalition for Health
THE MISSION CONTINUES . . .
OUR MISSION
MACH is a 501(c)3 nonprofit coalition of veteran aircrew nonprofits, NGOs, legislative champions, and individual stakeholders marshaling the full spectrum of U.S. military flying experience to protect the health of every past and present crew member. Based on the Red Flag model of shared planning and decisive execution, we fuse data, tactics, and advocacy to drive systemic change. By turning cockpit-tested ingenuity into research-backed policy, MACH’s mission is to unlock definitive research, shape legislation, and deliver programs that protect and improve the health of every U.S. military aviator and crew member.
OUR PRIORITIES
POLICY
Our flagship objective for the 119th Congress is passage of the bipartisan Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act commissioning an independent National Academies study and paving the way for stronger screening and treatment protocols for every military aircrew member.
PARTNERS
Our partners give MACH both credibility and capacity: credibility through subject-matter authority and real-world stories, and capacity through a nationwide grassroots network that keeps pressure on Congress until aircrew health reforms are law.
RESEARCH
MACH advocates for rigorous, independent research to uncover the full scope of cancer risks among military aviators. We support expanding access to DoD and VA health data, and funding longitudinal studies on occupational exposures to mitigate future risk.
HAPPENING NOW
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is calling for experts to participate in a critically important 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙭𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙮 (𝘼𝘾𝙀𝙎)! The is the next step on getting answers. The study will investigate potential links between cancer and in-flight exposures, toxic materials, radiation at altitude, etc., and more.
If you or someone you know can help, please submit nominations to NASEM no later than March 16, 2026. 🔗The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is calling for experts to participate in a critically important 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙭𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙮 (𝘼𝘾𝙀𝙎)! The is the next step on getting answers. The study will investigate potential links between cancer and in-flight exposures, toxic materials, radiation at altitude, etc., and more.
If you or someone you know can help, please submit nominations to NASEM no later than March 16, 2026. 🔗https://49197025.hs-sites.com/call-for-experts-aviator-cancer-examination-study
This isn’t just about research. It’s about honoring the promise made by the VA to aviators who face increased cancer risk while serving. They and their families deserve answers.
Thank you Nicole Malachowski for sharing this important call to action.
#NASEM #CallForExperts #AviatorCancerExaminationStudy
#ACES #ACESAct #AviatorCancer #CancerResearch #MilitaryHealth
#VeteranHealth #ACES #MACH
MACH Partner Spotlight #2: Military Aviators’ Cancer Action Network - MACAN
Our first partner highlight featured Veteran Families for Education and Awareness, founded by Betty Seaman, which helped bring awareness to environmental exposures affecting military aviators and their families.
Today we highlight another organization born from that same community — the 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬’ 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 (𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐍).
For Lauren and Aaron Ochalek, cancer wasn’t just a statistic — it was their reality. Aaron, a Navy F-18 pilot, had already beaten testicular cancer when in 2020 he was diagnosed with melanoma.
Their lives were turned upside down, and their experience echoed a concern quietly shared across the aviation community: that time spent in the cockpit might come with hidden health risks.
That same year, Lauren and Aaron connected with Betty. Together they founded the 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬’ 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, creating a community and support network for aviation families navigating cancer. (veteranlife.com/veteran-benefits/aviator-cancer-examination-study-act)
𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨:
- 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳
- 𝘙𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺
- 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴
- 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘴
Their work ensures that no aviation family faces cancer alone.
Follow and support MACAN:
www.facebook.com/MilitaryAviatorsCancerActionNetwork
#machcoalition
#militaryaviators
#cancerawareness
#PartnerSpotlight
#StrongerTogether
Military Aviators’ Cancer Action Network - MACAN
Friendly FYI for our naval aviation community (and friends):
If you’re 50 or older and have an elevated risk of cancer, TRICARE covers the Galleri test.
If you’re under 50, reach out — we’re happy to talk with you about what Anchored For Good can help cover and support.
This is about access.
This is about prevention.
This is about catching things early — when outcomes are better and options are greater. And giving peace of mind.
Just sharing the info so our community can make informed, proactive choices. 🤍
IN THE NEWS
- Military Aviator Cancers: The Hinge Point | JAN 2026
- Report Will Target Cancer Rates in Aircrews, But Toxic-Exposure Work Is Far From Finished | SEP 2026
- Aviator cancer study law is a win, but there's still more to do for toxic-exposed veterans. | SEP 2026
- ACES Act Becomes Law: A Milestone for Military Aviators’ Health | AUG 2025
- SIGNED INTO LAW: The ACES Act | AUG 2025
- Rep. Pfluger's ACES Act Passes Through the House | MAY 2025
- Cancer rates in military pilots and other aviators could get a closer look | JAN 2025
- Panetta, Pfluger Seek to Lower Military Aviation Cancer Rates | JAN 2025
- Military Aviator Cancers: The Aces Act | MAY 2024
- Military Aviator Cancers: The 2023 DOD Study | APR 2024
- Military Aviator Cancer: The USAF Pathfinder Study Changes The Discussion | MAR 2024
- Military Aviator Cancers: The Campaign Roots | MAR 2024
- Military Aviator Cancers: How Did We Get Here?| MAR 2024
- New Paper on Military: Soldiers Exposed to Radar and Full Body RF Have Higher Cancers | OCT 2022
IN THE MEDIA
FLIGHT PLANS
ACES ACT
- ZIntroduce H.R. 530 - The ACES Act
- Z Pass House Subcomittees
- ZPASS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- ZPASS THE SENATE
- ZFINALIZE BILL IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- ZACES ACT SIGNED INTO LAW
- ZACES Act cancer study CONTRACT SIGNED BY NASEM & THE VA
ROTOR ACT
- ZIntroduce H.R. 4704 – The ROTOR Act
- VAdvocate for H.R. 4704 in the Senate
- VPass the House of Representatives
- VPass the Senate
- VFinalize Bill in House of Representatives
- VROTOR ACT SIGNED INTO LAW