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 New Airman Battle
Uniform ready for production
By CHairforce.com
The new Airman Battle Uniform, or ABU, has been approved, but unless you
plan to be in the service for about five more years, you won't have to
sport the service's new battle duds.
According to Air Force reports, the ABU is ready for production and will
be available in fiscal 2007, but they won't be mandatory until fiscal
2011.
In addition to a tan, grey, green and blue pixilated tiger stripe
pattern, the ABU will be easier and cheaper to maintain and comes with a
few bells and whistles.
The ABU will have four pockets on the front of the shirt, a small pencil
pocket on the left forearm and two pockets on the lower legs. Smaller
pockets -- which can be used to hold little items, such as tools,
flashlights or cell phones -- will be sewn inside the side pockets and
breast pockets. The ABU will also have a permanent crease.
But the ABU's silver lining is in the fact that the uniform will be made
of a 50-50 nylon-cotton blend permanent press fabric, eliminating the
need for starch, ironing and costly dry-cleaning fees. Air Force leaders
and Airmen who have tested the new tiger-striped threads say you can
definitely wash it, dry it and wear it.
Additionally, the ABU will come in a variety fo sizes tailored to fit
both men's and women's bodies.
Other ABU bells and whistles include:
-- A tan T-shirt with an Air Force logo on the front and Air Force
written on the back. Airmen will be required to maintain one of these
shirts.
-- Suede, green-gray cowhide boots that won't require polishing. The new
boots will also be made available in men's and women's sizes.
-- The nametapes and rank insignia will be tan with midnight blue
lettering.
-- The ABU will use the battle dress uniform-style hat for primary use
and a floppy hat design for some deployed areas.
-- Air Force leaders still haven't decided if the new ABUs will sport
patches.
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