Airman Battle uniform - wikipedia Airman Battle uniform Airman Battle Uniform The Airman Battle Uniform ( ABU ) is a service - distinctive camouflage battledress uniform for the United States Air Force. It replaced the Battle Dress Uniform on 1 November 2011 after a four - year phase - in period. Contents 1 History 1.1 2000s 1.1. 1 2003 -- 2006 : Prototypes and testing 1.1. 2 2007 : The ABU makes its debut 1.1. 3 2009 : Airman Battle Shirt introduced 1.2 2010s 1.2. 1 2016 : Civil Air Patrol adopts the ABU 2 Features and attributes 3 Criticisms 4 Users 5 See also 5.1 Current 5.2 Former 6 References 7 External links History Close - up view of digital tiger stripe pattern. 2000s 2003 -- 2006 : prototypes and testing The first prototype of the ABU was unveiled in the summer of 2003, based on the Vietnam War - era Tigerstripe pattern. The early uniform prototypes consisted of trousers, an embroidered undershirt, and a blouse. The camouflage pattern, developed by Tiger Stripe Products and based upon their popular copyrighted Original Vietnam Tiger Stripe, was a blue / gray, tiger stripe pattern. After months of `` wear testing '', Air Force officials revised the color scheme and camouflage pattern due to feedback received from Airmen. The new elementary semi-pixelated tiger pattern would trade its dominant blue overtones for a more subdued palette, which still includes some blue tones. However, few of the functional recommendations made by Airmen in the field were implemented into the uniform which remains very similar in design to the older BDU style uniforms. This has been a subject of many complaints from Airmen returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan who had been wearing the Airman Combat Uniform ( ACU ) as a temporary issue uniform. These complaints include the ABU 's inability to keep Airmen cool while working in desert conditions due to the thickness of the material ( 13 ounces ) and large interior `` map '' pockets, lack of storage space and the low ease of use with government issue personal body armor. While not officially recommended, USAF Airmen can cut the pockets out of the inside of the blouse because it does not alter the outer appearance of the uniform. 2007 : the ABU makes its debut On 2 October 2007, the Air Force began issuing the ABU to enlisted trainees in Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB and was issued to the Class of 2012 at the United States Air Force Academy on 26 June 2008, and is now available for purchase by all Airmen. Since 2008, it has been issued to Airmen deploying to locations in CENTCOM, including Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. Personnel in other countries were issued DCU uniforms while inventory lasted. The ABU is available at Army and Air Force Exchange Service ( AAFES ) military clothing stores. Although the Air Force has officially recognized color variations in different set of ABUs, all variations are currently authorized to wear and the problem should be fixed when the patterns are finalized within a year. 2009 : Airman Battle shirt introduced Starting in 2009, airmen who were deployed or training for deployment were issued the new Airman Battle Shirt ( ABS ). The ABS was developed by Massif Mountain Gear and based on the Army Combat Shirt ( ACS ). Like the ACS, the ABS is a stand - alone shirt designed specifically for use with Improved Outer Tactical Vest armor in warm and hot weather. It is intended to greatly increase user comfort through the use of lightweight, moisture - wicking, and breathable fabrics. Since it is only issued to deployed or predeployed airmen, the ABS is not authorized for wear outside of the deployed setting. The ABS features the same tiger stripe pattern on the sleeves as the ABU features. 2010s In 2010, MultiCam was authorized to replace the ABU - pattern on the Airman Battle System - Ground in the War in Afghanistan by Air Force ground forces. In June 2011, The Air Force Times released the announcement of a summer weight ABU to be available in 2012. The Improved Airman Battle Uniform will be made of a 50 -- 50 nylon - cotton blend and is the same material used by the Army for the ACU. Just like the ABU, the IABU is machine washable and also wrinkle resistant. Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz gave approval of the IABU coat and pants which will be available to trainees at Basic Military Training first. No special allowance will be given to troops since they are not being forced to buy the uniform, although it will cost about the same as the current ABU. The ABU became mandatory ( completely replacing the BDU and DCU ) on 1 Oct 2011, marking the beginning of fiscal year 2012, though most airmen had been wearing the ABU for several years by that point. In May 2012, the Air Force changed the terminology of the new ABU uniforms to RABU ( Rip - stop Airman Battle Uniform ). `` U.S. Air Force - Mobile '' 2016 : Civil Air Patrol adopts the ABU The Air Force 's civilian auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, wear - tested the ABU in late 2015. In May 2016, the national commander of the Civil Air Patrol issued a memorandum allowing the wear of the ABU effective June 15, 2016. However, the uniform is worn with dark blue name tapes ( with white lettering ) and insignia cloth and black boots in order to distinguish CAP personnel. Features and attributes Airmen wearing the Airman Battle Uniform The Airman Battle Uniform is similar to the Universal Camouflage Pattern ( UCP ) in color, with the inclusion of slate blue, but is otherwise nearly identical to the BDU layout. The ABU is to be worn with low - maintenance sage green suede combat boots. The ABU does not have features of the U.S. Army ACU, such as tilted / slanted pockets, sleeve pockets, hook - and - loop attachment points and closures, gusseted back, mandarin collar, etc. However, the ABU does have essential NIR ( near - infra red ) qualities. The sleeves are authorized to be rolled up. The heavy weight of the material, along with the multiple layers used to make the interior pockets, retains more heat than the ACU or BDU in hot climates such as the Middle East. A new version of the ABU blouse has the multiple layers and inside pockets removed. Overview of the Airman Battle Uniform is as follows : Headwear Patrol cap 's shape remains the same, including sewn vent holes instead of grommetted vent hole. Boonie cover is available for the ABU for use only in deployed locations. Organizational ( e.g., squadron, group or wing ) ballcaps are not authorized ( exceptions being authorized bush hats, berets, and RED HORSE ) Sage - green watch cap for cold climate garrison and deployed locations with the All Purpose Environmental Clothing System ( APECS ) parka. The Army 's sage - green ACU fleece watch cap was authorized in 2010. Sand T - shirt ( cotton, cotton blend, flame - retardant, or wicking material ) Organizational T - shirts are authorized for wear on Fridays as a morale booster, but are subject to command level discretion. The change came with a revision of AFI36 - 2903 in 2014. Blouse All insignia, including occupational badges ( aeronautical wings, occupational badges, etc. ), are embroidered in midnight - blue thread with urban - gray background with the exception of rank insignia for 2nd Lieutenant and Major, which incorporate brown thread. Name and service tapes are embroidered in midnight - blue thread on ABU background tapes. Patches ( e.g., MAJCOM, wing, group, squadron, etc. ) are not worn with the ABU, with the exception of aeronautical and chaplain badges and duty shields for Security Forces and Fire Protection ; however, occupational badges ( up to 3 ) are authorized and encouraged. 2 internal map pockets ( allowed to be removed and no longer a feature in current production runs ). Pen pocket on left forearm ( holds two pens ). No other patches are authorized -- except the Commander 's badge. Outerwear such as APECS parka, rain jacket are available for the ABU The sage - green fleece jacket is now authorized as an outer garment. Rigger 's belt, sand Trousers Elastic stretch waist Additional pocket inside thigh cargo pockets Two lower leg cargo pockets Tool pouches on lower leg pockets ( with two pen pockets on the right pocket ) Combat boots are rough - out sage green Boots are available from a number of manufacturers ( Belleville, Corcoran, Bates, Danner, Rocky, Converse, Rockport, etc. ). Sock color must match boots. Airmen wearing ABUs on exercise The ABU comes in 236 different size options in both male and female sizes which are only offered in temperate weight. Additionally, its permanent press finish means the uniform can not be starched, pressed or dry - cleaned. Airmen are able to pull the ABU from the dryer and wear it without further treatment. Any further treatment would degrade the effectiveness of the uniform and damage the NIR capability. No mixing of camouflage patterns is currently authorized with the ABU except when in deployed locations such as the U.S. Central Command ( USCENTCOM ) Area of Responsibility ( AOR ), or when ACU or camouflage field items, such as magazine / utility pouches, personal body armor, helmet covers, knee / elbow pads, etc., are authorized. Exception to this policy is the ECWCS Gore - Tex parka which, with installation commander approval, is authorized for wear with the ABU. Only the AF APECS Parka or DCU Gore - Tex is authorized in the USCENTCOM AOR. Backpacks and other accessories must be sage, black, or ABU pattern. As many accessories are not made in ABU specifically, ACU pattern accessories are authorized. Criticisms Airmen generally rejected the `` map '' pockets inside the blouse because they are difficult to access without unbuttoning the shirt, are poorly placed for use due to sweat, and act as an additional layer of an already heavy uniform. Newer production blouses lack these pockets. Despite improvements to the uniform such as wash and wear fabrics and improved NIR coverage, the uniform still has known problems. One of the most common complaints is that the uniform is too hot for wear in high temperature environments. In 2008, responding to these criticisms that the new Airman Battle Uniform was too heavy and hot, the USAF 's 648th Aeronautical Systems Squadron at Brooks City - Base revealed their plans for a switch to a lighter, more breathable fabric with the combat blouse section of the ABU. The original heavyweight nylon / cotton blend was changed to a lighter - weight nylon / cotton poplin material. Priority will go to those serving in the Middle East or other hot - weather theaters. A second criticism is that the suede boots are too easily damaged and impossible to clean if they are exposed to grease, oil, or other petroleum products. In 2011, a new `` Maintainer '' style of boot, made with sage green full grain leather, was authorized for wear by all airmen to address these concerns. Additionally, the uniform has been criticized for failing to incorporate any but the most superficial features designed into the ACU and MCCUU. The semi-digitized, tiger - stripe pattern has been criticized for being ineffective and unrealistic. These issues were addressed in an open letter from the pattern developer, Tiger Stripe Products, to servicemembers of the USAF, in which the developer agreed with the criticisms, but blamed the Air Force leadership for them. For a time, Airmen deployed to locations in Southwest Asia abandoned their ABUs in favor of DCUs because ABUs were not suitable for the intense heat of the environment. However, as of 1 November 2011, the DCU was officially phased out and no longer authorized for wear at any deployed location. As of 1 February 2012, the ABU is no longer authorized within Afghanistan, though still used by a few airmen. To have uniformity with the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, and seeing the need to better blend with the landscape and provide a lighter & cooler uniform for the desert environment, the Air Force approved and adopted the wear of the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern ( OCP ), or Multicam, when on deployment to Afghanistan. The ABU is still worn outside of Afghanistan, as Multicam was not authorized outside Afghanistan operations. However, some AFSOC and ACC units began utilizing the Multicam / Scorpion W2 uniform in - garrison as well under local commanders ' policies, and AFCENTCOM officially rechristened the uniform the `` Airman Combat Uniform '' in an August 2017 supplement to AFI 36 - 2903 Dress and Appearance. As DoD regulations require uniforms that do not melt when exposed to fire or high voltage for certain AFSCs, a cotton variant is in initial production ( 2010 ) for fire fighters, electricians, mechanical personnel who work with electrical power for HVAC, and several other AFSCs. This version is a 100 % cotton ABU coat and pant that is Certified to NFPA 1975 Standards for Station / Work Uniforms for Emergency Services ( 2009 edition ) by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. An additional feature of this NFPA ABU is the lack of the interior `` map pockets '' ( a common complaint regarding the ABU ). The NFPA ABU can be used upon approval by unit commanders by personnel requiring a fire - retardant fabric. The fabric is also NIR Compliant. There is another 100 % cotton ABU version that is discontinued but available in limited quantities in both men 's and women 's sizes but this version is not fire retardant. Since the NFPA ABU 's are 100 % cotton, they are not nearly as durable, nor as `` wash and wear '' as the regular ABU 's, but they are much cooler in extremely hot weather. Users Dominican Republic -- Dominican Air Force United States -- United States Air Force and Civil Air Patrol Egypt -- Egyptian Air Force See also United States Air Force portal Wikimedia Commons has media related to Airman Battle Uniform. Current Uniforms of the United States Military Operational Camouflage Pattern, U.S. Army pattern, replacing UCP Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, current USMC uniform MARPAT, current USMC uniform pattern CADPAT, current Canadian Forces uniform pattern Navy Working Uniform Operational Dress Uniform, current U.S. Coast Guard uniform List of camouflage patterns Former Battle Dress Uniform Desert Battle Dress Uniform Desert Night Camouflage References Jump up ^ Uniform phase - out date set for Nov. 1 Archived 2 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ U.S. Air Force Tiger Archived 14 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ About.com US Military, ( 2004 ). Air Force Changes Color for Proposed Utility Uniform. Retrieved 7 April 2006. Archived 12 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine. ^ Jump up to : TigerStripe, ( 2006 ). `` U.S. Air Force Uniform Project '' Archived 14 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ New uniforms : Comfortable, functional are goals. New uniforms : Comfortable, functional are goals. Retrieved 14 May 2009. Archived 2 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Bruce Rolfsen. `` Airmen will receive MultiCam, eventually ''. Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved 13 September 2010. Jump up ^ Lighter ABUs to help Airmen to beat heat in 2012, ( 2011 ). `` ( 1 ) '' Jump up ^ Air Force Link, ( 2006 ). `` Airman Battle Uniform finalized, ready for production '' Jump up ^ http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=20996.0 Jump up ^ http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/CAP_Transition_to_ABUs_06DC64FB17483.pdf Jump up ^ ( 2 ) Jump up ^ Air Force Link, ( 2007 ). Airman Battle Uniform poster. Retrieved 10 July 2007. Archived 23 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Air Force officials release fleece wear policy Jump up ^ Air Force Link Airman Roll Call 2007. U.S. Air Force - Mobile Retrieved 30 November 2007. Jump up ^ Winn, Patrick, Better, Lighter ABU Blouse Is On The Way, Air Force Times, 9 May 2008 Jump up ^ `` AFCENT Updates Dress And Appearance Instruction ; Does This Signal Changes Coming Air Force - Wide ? ''. Soldier Systems. Retrieved 6 September 2017. External links ABU Information History of U.S. Air Force Uniform Project -- Tiger Stripe Products United States Air Force Leadership Secretary of the Air Force Under Secretary of the Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Chief of Staff Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Four - star generals House Armed Services Committee House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Senate Committee on Armed Services Senate Subcommittee on Airland Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Structure Commands Reserve Air National Guard Field Operating Agencies Installations Direct Reporting Units District of Washington Operational Test and Evaluation Center USAF Academy Major Commands ACC AETC AFGSC AFMC AFRC AFSPC AFSOC AMC PACAF USAFE - AFA Numbered Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Fourteenth Seventeenth Eighteenth Nineteenth Twentieth Twenty - Second Twenty - Fourth Twenty - Fifth Air Forces Central Wings ANG Groups ANG Squadrons ANG Security Forces Civilian auxiliary : Civil Air Patrol Personnel and training Airmen Rank officers enlisted Specialty Code Aeronautical ratings Judge Advocate General 's Corps RED HORSE Security Forces Medical Service Chief of Chaplains Chief Scientist Training : Air Force Academy Officer Training School Reserve Officer Training Corps Basic Training Airman Leadership School SERE Fitness Assessment Uniforms and equipment Awards and decorations Badges Equipment Uniforms History and traditions History Aeronautical Division / Aviation Section / Division of Military Aeronautics / Army Air Service / Army Air Corps / Army Air Forces `` The U.S. Air Force '' Air Force Band Airman 's Creed Core Values Flag Symbol Memorial National Museum Women Airforce Service Pilots Air Force One Honor Guard Thunderbirds Service numbers United States Air Force portal Equipment of the United States Air Force Active service & Aircraft designation A - Attack A / OA - 10A / C Thunderbolt II AC - 130H / U / J / W Spectre / Spooky II / Ghostrider / Stinger II B - Strategic bomber B - 1B Lancer B - 2A Spirit B - 52H Stratofortress C - Cargo transport C - 5A / B / C Galaxy C - 5M Super Galaxy C - 12C / D / F Huron C - 17A Globemaster III C - 20B Gulfstream III C - 20H Gulfstream IV C - 21A Learjet C - 27J Spartan C - 37A Gulfstream V C - 40B / C Clipper C - 130E / H / J / J - 30 Hercules CV - 22B Osprey E - Electronic warfare E-3B / C Sentry E-4B E-8C Joint STARS E-9A Widget E-11A BACN EC - 130H Compass Call EC - 130J Commando Solo F - Air superiority & Multirole fighter F - 15C / D Eagle F - 15E Strike Eagle F - 16C / D Fighting Falcon F - 22A Raptor F - 35A Lightning II H - Search and rescue HC - 130P / N King HC - 130J Combat King II HH - 60G / MH - 60G Pave Hawk K - Tanker KC - 10A Extender KC - 135E / R / T Stratotanker L - Cold weather LC - 130H M - Multi-mission CV - 22 Osprey MC - 130E / H / J / P Combat Talon I / Combat Talon II / Commando II / Combat Shadow MC - 12W Liberty O - Observation OC - 135B Open Skies Q - Remotely Piloted MQ - 1 Predator MQ - 9 Reaper RQ - 4A Global Hawk RQ - 11B Raven RQ - 170 Sentinel R - Reconnaissance RC - 26B Condor RC - 135S / U / V / W COBRA BALL / Combat Sent / Rivet Joint Scan Eagle RU - 2S Dragon Lady Wasp III T - Trainer T - 1A Jayhawk T - 6A Texan II ( A ) T - 38A / B / C Talon II TG - 10B / C / D TG - 15A / B Diamond T - 52A U - Utility UH - 1N Iroquois UH - 1H / N / V Huey UV - 18A / B Twin Otter U-28A V -- VIP / staff transport VC - 9C VC - 25A ( Air Force One ) C - 32A / B ( Air Force Two ) C - 40B / C Clipper W -- Weather reconnaissance WC - 130J Hercules WC - 135W Constant Phoenix Other / undesignated An - 26 ( 6th SOS ) CN - 235 - 100 ( 427th SOS ) Mi - 8 ( 6th SOS ) Space systems Launch vehicle Atlas V Delta II Delta IV Satellite Advanced Extremely High Frequency ( AEHF ) Defense Meteorological Satellite Program ( DMSP ) Defense Satellite Communications System ( DSCS ) Defense Support Program ( DSP ) Global Positioning System ( GPS ) Milstar Satellite Communications System Space - Based Infrared System ( SBIRS ) Wideband Global SATCOM Ground systems C2 AN / USQ - 163 Falconer AN / GSQ - 272 Sentinel Ground - based radar AN / FPQ - 16 Perimeter Acquisition Attack Characterization System ( PARCS ) AN / FPS - 123 Early Warning Radar ( EWR ) AN / FPS - 132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar ( UEWR ) AN / FPS - 85 AN / FPS - 133 Air Force Space Surveillance System ( AFSSS ) AN / FSQ - 114 Ground - Based Electro - Optical Deep Space Surveillance ( GEODSS ) AN / FSQ - 224 Morón Optical Space Surveillance ( MOSS ) Rapid Attack, Identification, Detection, and Reporting System ( RAIDRS ) Ground vehicle HMMWV LSSV R - 5 Refueler R - 9 Refueler R - 11 Refueler C300 Munitions Bomb Mk - 82 Mk - 84 GBU - 8 GBU - 10 Paveway II GBU - 12 Paveway II GBU - 15 GBU - 24 Paveway III GBU - 27 Paveway III GBU - 28 GBU - 31 JDAM GBU - 32 JDAM GBU - 38 JDAM GBU - 39 Small Diameter Bomb GBU - 44 / B Viper Strike GBU - 53 / B Small Diameter Bomb II GBU - 54 Laser JDAM CBU - 87 Combined Effects Munition CBU - 89 Gator CBU - 97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon BLU - 109 / B Bomb BLU - 116 Bunker Buster B61 Nuclear Bomb B83 Nuclear Bomb Gun GAU - 8 Avenger M61 Vulcan GAU - 12 GAU - 13 GAU - 19 M240 L / 60 Bofors M102 ATK GAU - 23 / A M2 Browning Minigun Missile AIM - 7M Sparrow AIM - 9M / X Sidewinder LGM - 30G Minuteman III AGM - 65A / B / D / E / G / G2 / H / K Maverick AGM - 84 Harpoon AGM - 84E Standoff Land Attack Missile AGM - 84H / K Standoff Land Attack Missile - Expanded Response AGM - 86B / C / D Air - Launched Cruise Missile ( ALCM ) AGM - 88A / B / C High - speed Anti-radiation Missile ( HARM ) AGM - 114 Hellfire Air - to - Surface Missile ( ASM ) AIM - 120B / C Advanced Medium - Range Air - to - Air Missile ( AMRAAM ) AGM - 130 Powered Standoff Weapon AGM - 154A Joint Standoff Weapon ( JSOW ) AGM - 158 Joint Air - to - Surface Stand - off Missile ( JASSM ) AGM - 176 Griffin Zuni rocket Target BQM - 34 Firebee BQM - 167 Subscale Aerial Target MQM - 107 Streaker QF - 4 Aerial Target Small arms Sidearm / PDW M11 Pistol M9 Pistol M17 Pistol MP5 submachine gun USAF Pilot 's Survival Knife Rifle / Carbine GUU - 5 / P Carbine M4 carbine M14 Stand - off Munitions Disruptor ( SMUD ) M16A2 Rifle M24 Sniper Weapon System M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle Support / CQB M60 machine gun M2HB Browning machine gun M240B Medium Machine Gun M249 light machine gun M1014 shotgun Remington 870 MCS shotgun Ordnance M136 AT4 Light Anti-tank Weapon M18A1 Claymore Mine M67 Fragmentation Grenade M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon ( LAW ) M79 grenade launcher MK - 19 automatic grenade launcher Uniforms & other equipment Airman Battle Uniform ( ABU ) Airman Combat Uniform ( ACU ) Flight Suit Physical Training Uniform Service Dress Uniform Mess dress CMU -- 33A / P22P - 18 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Airman_Battle_Uniform&oldid=820974879 '' Categories : United States Air Force United States Air Force uniforms American military uniforms Camouflage patterns Air force uniforms Military camouflage Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Use dmy dates from May 2014 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Polski Edit links This page was last edited on 17 January 2018, at 18 : 17. 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Question: when did the air force start wearing abu's
Answer: 2 October 2007