WINGS Act
H.R. 4805, titled the Warrior Impact from Neurological and G-Force Stress Act (WINGS Act), would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a comprehensive, longitudinal study on the long-term physiological and psychological effects of military aviation on aviators. The study would examine how factors such as cumulative flight hours and exposure to high G-forces relate to traumatic brain injury, cognitive impairment, mental health outcomes (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD), suicidality, and various neurodegenerative conditions. It would also look at how cockpit equipment and environmental factors (helmet design, oxygen systems, flight suits, etc.) influence neurocognitive health, and it would assess current screening methods while proposing improvements. The bill creates a centralized Military Aviator Neurohealth Registry to collect anonymized health data, flight exposure metrics, and health outcomes from participating aviators over time. It requires interagency collaboration (DoD, military health leadership, and relevant research institutions) and calls for interim and final reports to Congress (interim within 1 year; final within 3 years). It also defines who qualifies as a “military aviator” for purposes of the study.
Key Points
- 1Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a comprehensive, longitudinal study on the long-term brain health and mental health effects of military aviation, including high-performance flight and G-force exposure.
- 2Establishes a Military Aviator Neurohealth Registry to collect anonymized health data, flight exposure metrics, and longitudinal health outcomes from participating aviators.
- 3Elements of the study include links between flight exposure/G-forces and TBI or cognitive impairment; long-term mental health outcomes; suicide risk; prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions; impact of cockpit/environmental factors; and current screening/detection procedures with recommendations for improvements.
- 4Requires consultation with the Department of Defense, Surgeons General, Defense Health Agency, and relevant academic and federally funded research centers.
- 5Provides for interim and final reports to Congress (interim within 1 year; final within 3 years of enactment) to share findings and recommendations.
- 6Defines “military aviator” to include pilots, naval aviators, and aircrew who operated in high-performance aircraft or related roles with exposure to sustained G-forces.