The Arkansas Air National Guard's 189th Airlift Wing plans to install 50 Krypton Light Disinfection UV lights throughout the Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas and eventually find ways to use the light sources inside aircraft.

The Pentagon said Thursday it has awarded FAR UV Technologies, a Missouri-based disinfectant technology company with a $1 million contract to initiate the project with the wing, which is the first unit in the Department of Defense to use the system.

The system is part of a set of preventive measures DoD is testing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"This will add an extra layer of protection in addition to our current risk mitigation strategies," Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Thomas DeGraff III said in a statement.

"I see this as increasing exposure time to in-person interactions and decreasing the odds of viral exposure as well as decreasing the risk of infection," said DeGraff, 189th AW senior flight surgeon and member of the Team DUCIMUS Think Tank group. "We don't have the medical peer-reviewed data to back that up 100 percent, but we do know that it kills pathogens and doesn't cause cancer or cataracts in humans."

According to Dr. David Brenner, an independent safety expert from Columbia University Medical Center and subcontractor on the project, the lights use a measure of ultraviolet light — 222 nanometers — that can kill large numbers of surface and air pathogens but is still safe for humans.

Traditional UV sanitization systems, such as those used by hospitals to disinfect personal protective equipment, can operate at up to 254 nanometers, which can damage sensitive skin cells.

USS 'Woody' Williams pulls into Naples for logistics stop
Washington DC (UPI) Aug 13, 2020 –

The USS Hershel "Woody" Williams arrived in Naples Thursday for a routine logistics stop, the Navy announced.

The 784-foot-long Williams is the second of a new class of sea-basing ships and is crewed by a Blue Crew and a Gold Crew, which will turn over periodically to allow for continuity as the ship continues on its deployment.

"The Hershel 'Woody' Williams, and the entire ESB class, are on the leading edge of naval integration," said Vice Adm. Gene Black, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, "In this complex maritime environment, a ship like this enables options to project power with a persistent presence. The ship is ideal for missions in this theater as it can readily integrate with the Marines and our allies and partners in many of our operations throughout the region at varying levels of complexity."

The vessel, which was commissioned in March, left for its inaugural deployment at the end of July.

Black said the Williams will be a long-term presence assigned to U.S. Africa Command.

"The crew of the USS Hershel 'Woody' Williams has worked hard preparing for this deployment and we're excited to work with our many allies and partners and support operations throughout U.S. 6th Fleet," said Capt. David L. Gray, commanding officer, USS Hershel 'Woody' Williams, Blue Crew. "We're truly thankful to our Italian allies, hosting our first visit and allowing us to pull in under the shadow of Vesuvius in beautiful Naples."