Update on New Air Force Uniforms

When Air Force leaders arrived at this forward-deployed location Nov. 4, they wore the latest proposed replacement for the battle dress uniform.

Significant changes come in both color and pattern. Instead of the original blue, gray and green, the Air Force is now trying a combination of tan, blue and green. Also, the tiger-stripe pattern is now digitized, similar to the new Marine uniform, and it is made of the same material.

Air Force Link: Air Force leaders premiere new uniform

and in other news...

When the Air Force chief of staff announced a new fitness standard in July 2003, he promised Airmen a new physical training uniform in which to prepare.

That new uniform is now ready, and Airmen serving in Southwest Asia will be the first to get them, said Senior Master Sgt. Jacqueline Dean, the Air Force uniform board superintendent.

"For force protection issues, CENTAF (officials) wanted Airmen to be in a standardized uniform," Sergeant Dean said. "Additionally, all of the other services in the region are requiring their servicemembers to be in service-unique PT gear when they are not in another uniform."

The new unisex uniform can be worn off-the-shelf, requiring no modifications. It consists of a T-shirt, a pair of shorts and a two-piece nylon running suit. With the exception of the grey T-shirt, the entire ensemble is navy blue. It was designed with comfort and safety in mind, officials said.

Air Force Link: Deployed Airmen getting new physical training uniform first

:: I've been wondering when we'd see the new Air Force utility uniform pattern. This does seem to be a significant improvement over the "Smurf Camo," pattern seen in earlier wear tests. It looks to be an evolution of the tiger stripe, but pixelated like the USMC's MARPAT. The new look isn't too far from what the Army will be sporting.

One cool thing the Marines did with their uniform, is include a subtle Globe & Anchor logo every 18 inches in the pattern of the fabric. I can't see the Air Force Logo anywhere in this new pattern. So I wonder if it will show up. (someday?)

The new PT uniform looks to be pretty sweet. I like the running gear. The old stuff just had that 80's jogger vibe. The new T shirt, while sporting the new AF Logo, just doesn't have the same school spirit that silk screening "Air Force" across the chest had.

Comments

[pjh7]

Certainly not as obnoxious as the previous "Smurf Camo". Not too bad - I wonder if this is the style they will now go with.
I talked with Marine aviator recently and he was very amused that the USMC uniform change has started this fashion parade with the USA and USAF now jumping onboard!
However, it is probably many years before any such change comes downstream to CAP though!

[Uniform Survey]

Yes, the Air Force logo will be included.

Also, I invite you to participate in our Air Force Utility Uniform Survey: http://usafengineers.com/modules.php?name=Surveys (Air Force Utility Uniform Survey). If you do, please answer more than just the first question. Thanks.