Uniform lab tests seven more changes

[unhappycamper]

Air Force Senior Airmen Jason Thomas and Joseph Robinson remove snow from the tarmac to clear a path for an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft on the first day of exercise Red Flag-Alaska 08-2 on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, on April 7. The multinational exercise provides realistic training for combat scenarios.


Uniform lab tests seven more changes
By Patrick Winn - Staff writer
Posted : Friday May 9, 2008 17:07:38 EDT

In addition to designing a lighter weight blouse for the airman battle uniform , the Air Force’s top uniform lab, based at San Antonio’s Brooks City-Base, is working on seven more uniform changes.

A fire-resistant version of the ABU will also likely use a fabric lighter than the current uniform.

A prototype of the fire-resistant uniform, revealed to Air Force Times in December, looked to be an exact replica of the standard-issue ABU. Now, the 648th Aeronautical Systems Squadron is pursuing a fire-resistant uniform made of much more breathable fabric without sacrificing its flame-resistant qualities.

“We’ll have a garrison uniform and a combat uniform,” said Capt. Kathryn Parker, who focuses on fire resistance for the 648th squadron. “The will be issued to you if you’re going to an area where you’ll need it. Otherwise, you’ll wear the lightweight ABU.”

The idea stems from the rise in IED attacks, which continue to threaten airmen sent outside the wire, such as security forces personnel, pararescuemen, joint terminal attack controllers and “in-lieu-of” airmen helping fill other services’ shortages. Army commanders overseeing airmen performing in-lieu-of duties commonly suit them up in the fire-resistant Army Combat Uniforms and Army combat shirts introduced last summer.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/05/airforce_uniform_changes_050908w/