SEEING THE LIGHT WITH 'WIDOW-MAKERS'

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Via e-mail --  Regarding your article in the November/December 2007 Torch titled "Glow-in-the-Dark Widow-Makers" (The Alert Consumer, page 7) that claims optical brighteners in laundry detergents could make Airmen Battle Uniforms glow in the dark, the picture you use was taken with ultraviolet lighting. This is not an indication of the performance of ABUs when viewing with night vision.

ABUs are meant to suppress near infrared, typically when viewed with night vision scopes. Whiteners (phosphors) in laundry detergent are meant to work in the blue and ultraviolet light. Typically UV is only out when the sun is out.

Although this concern is not as serious as your article caption would suggest, I will reiterate that it is Air Force policy and just a good idea to adhere to the care instructions. ... By the way, I use "Woolite."

Tech. Sgt. Jason D. Scott
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

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I am the chief of safety for 22nd Air Force. In your November/December 2007 issue, you have an excellent article ("Glow-in-the-Dark Widow-Makers") regarding the effects of optical brighteners on the Airmen Battle Uniforms (which I plan to reprint in our newsletter). ... I do appreciate your efforts with Torch Magazine. It is an excellent product (loved the "Doggie Boot Camp" cover photo (May/June 2007 issue) ... reminded me of how I felt on day one at training camp many years ago!).

Ron Marx
Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.