Editor’s Note: The Missile Community Cancer Study is a comprehensive investigation into potential health risks associated with service in the missile community.BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – The Missile Community Cancer Study (MCCS) continues burn testing and assessments research in 2026, with a town hall to be announced once assessments are completed.

Audience input from previous town halls has expanded the burn studies, which now include additional materials in the testing regimen.

During the burn exposure simulations, a physics model was used to understand, predict and simulate the behavior of the burn materials.

“Physics models are based on fundamental physical laws using numerical techniques to find solutions to input equations,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Doker, AFGSC Public Health officer. “This model used takes into account a single exposure. To account for multiple exposures as experienced per each individual, analysts can multiply that single exposure as many times as necessary to cover the entire course of a missileer’s career.”

For the model, the burn test used materials identical to those burned in the launch control centers (LCCs).

“AFGSC provided scenarios and locations where the burning of materials in LCCs most likely occurred,” Doker continued. “A burn test was conducted in a controlled environment to accurately capture emissions from accelerants and materials.”

Due to a lack of appropriations for fiscal year 2026, there was a pause in the burn study, the epidemiological study and the access release for members’ Individual Longitudinal Exposer Records (ILER). Those working on these three projects have since resumed testing and research and are on track to have updated information for the next town hall, scheduled for March.

Other ongoing efforts include the cleaning of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the LCCs including working areas that may have been affected.

The command will continue to host town halls to provide the testing results with those impacted.

The next virtual town hall is projected for spring of 2026 and will discuss results of recent burn testing and provide an opportunity for the audience to ask questions. Announcements and information on how to join the town hall will be available at the AFGSC website or social media pages.