WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) –
Officials from the Uniform Program Office at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, continue to work for Airmen, researching and purchasing uniforms providing more function, protection and comfort.
The Air Force chief of staff met with Airmen April 21 for an update on clothing issues Airmen face as they support global mission requirements.
Gen. Norton Schwartz said addressing current and near-term uniform needs takes precedence over introducing long-range new initiatives.
One major change in the works is for the airman battle uniform. "Too hot" is how many Airmen describe the current ABU. After working with other services and textile industry experts, Air Force officials will field a lighter weight fabric for the ABU coat. The lighter weight IABU will replace the current ABU coat for both summer and winter wear.
Prior to production, the Air Force Uniform Office staff will verify the fabric can be consistently manufactured to avoid color variation experienced with the initial ABU rollout. Projected availability date is summer 2010 and will be phased in as current inventories are exhausted.
Also known as the all-purpose environmental camouflage parka, the ABU cold weather parka has been short in supply, forcing extended wear of the battle dress uniform camouflage parka. Working with officials from the Defense Logistics Agency and Army and Air Force Exchange Service suppliers, increased production of APEC parkas is underway. More than 145,000 APEC parkas have been delivered to date, with a total of 400,000 projected to be delivered by the end of 2009.
Since the introduction of the ABU, multiple variants of the sage green boots include standard issue, cold weather, hot weather, temperate weather, aircrew and steel toe, and each is certified and fielded to meet an Airman's needs.
However, Airmen working in maintenance, industrial and medical areas have vocalized difficulty in keeping the suede green boots clean.
The Air Force Uniform Office staff is investigating stain-resistant materials to facilitate boot care. The results of an initial test in March did not show marked improvement over the current design. As a follow-on effort, a second boot wear test will begin this summer to evaluate alternative concepts.
General Schwartz said if the follow-on test "doesn't work, this will be the last test, and we'll go back to something that does work [in industrial areas]."
Taking greater priority are the recent changes to Air Force physical training gear. Airmen's feedback directly helped lay the groundwork for the gear's significant improvements. The new PT fabric received a positive response from test participants and has been approved for production by General Schwartz.
After extensive prototype design testing, the following changes are scheduled for fielding new PT uniforms in September:
· The improved PT running suit redesign includes a thinner, more flexible fabric to address common complaints about fabric noise and streamlines the design by removing the collar hood and shoulder vents. The improved design also reduces bulk by decreasing the amount of fabric in the running jacket mid-section and pants lower leg. Additionally, a new liner includes antimicrobial properties and will shed moisture at a faster rate than the current version.
· Improved PT shorts to be introduced this year feature a softer, more flexible fabric, side-pockets, increased inseam length and redesigned inner liner.
· An improved PT shirt resembles the current short-sleeve shirt, but will feature a lighter weight, higher performance fabric with moisture wicking properties and odor reduction.
· The Air Force has also authorized optional PT gear for wear. A new, long-sleeved T-shirt and sweatshirt are now available for purchase through AAFES. In addition, optional running shorts will be introduced this summer.
For additional information and updates on uniforms, visit the Air Force Portal under the Portal Quick Link "Uniform Information."