The airfield at Naval Air Station Fallon (NASF) is much brighter thanks to a six month, $7.1 million project completed Dec. 22.

The project, completed by Watts Constructors, LLC and Jacob Construction & Design Inc., replaced all of the airfield's inboard and outboard runway incandescent light bulbs with longer lasting, energy saving LED lights. The new lighting meets the guidance set in place by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

"The old airfield lights were 150 watts, while the new LEDS are 37 watts," said Ensign Megan Hurley, assistant Public Works officer and project lead. "It's over 75 percent savings in power. If we assume the lights are running 6 hours a day, that's $6,800 a year in savings based on the lights alone."

In addition to replacing the lights, the project also replaced deteriorating and inefficient wiring and conductors that will lead to additional monetary and energy savings, according to Hurley.

Hurley said the previous annual lighting bill was $13,000, and the new lighting has the potential to save the base more than $140,000 over the next decade. One of the main reasons for this savings is the LEDs on their highest setting use three times less energy that the old bulbs at their lowest setting.

"The electrical system was 50 years old and had a flow-to-ground problem," said Hurley. "The incandescent lighting and circuitry was failing, which impacted operations. The LEDs are brighter, more effective, and more reliable for runway operations."

Airfield Manager Rowdy Yates said the new lights create a uniform appearance and brightness down the runway that allows the pilots to pick them up further out than they could before.

"I've had nothing but positive reports since the new lights have been installed," said Yates. "These LEDs are more efficient, reliable, and brighter than what we had installed before. I'm just happy that when we turn on these new lights at night I know they will come on."

Along with the cost and energy savings, the lights will contribute directly to the base's mission.

"We haven't even begun to see the full impact of what these lights are going to do for this installation," said Commanding Officer Capt. Leif Steinbaugh. "The completion of this project will allow NASF to continue to complete our mission of training the fleet's air wings to be a cohesive combat ready unit in a safer environment and with a significant cost savings to the American taxpayer.

For more news from Naval Air Station Fallon, visit http://www.navy.mil/.