Airman Battle Uniform

Last updated

Airman Battle Uniform
USAF Airman Battle Uniform.jpg
A captain of the United States Air Force wearing the Airman Battle Uniform
Type Military camouflage patterned uniform
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2007–2021 (USAF/USSF) [lower-alpha 1]

2016–present (Civil Air Patrol)
Used by
Wars Global War on Terrorism
Production history
Designed20032006
Produced2006present
VariantsAirman Battle Shirt (ABS)
Airman Battle System-Ground (ABS-G)

The Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) is a U.S. camouflage combat uniform formerly worn by members of the United States Air Force, United States Space Force, and some civilian employees of the U.S. Department of the Air Force until April 2021. It replaced the Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Camouflage Uniform on 1 November 2011 after a four-year phase-in period. [2]

Contents

On 14 May 2018, The U.S. Air Force announced that all airmen will transition from the Airman Battle Uniform to the OCP Uniform. All airmen have been permitted to wear the OCP Uniform since 1 October 2018, and the wear out date for the ABU was 1 April 2021. [3] The ABU is currently worn by the Civil Air Patrol. [4]

History

2000s

20032006: Prototypes and testing

Experimental Blue Tigerstripe camouflage 2nd Lt. Arcelia Miller USAF Blue Tigerstripe iniform.jpg
Experimental Blue Tigerstripe camouflage

The first prototype of the ABU was unveiled in the summer of 2003. The early uniform prototypes consisted of trousers, an embroidered undershirt, and a blouse. The prototype camouflage pattern was a blue/gray, tigerstripe pattern, based upon the tigerstripe uniforms worn by airmen during the Vietnam War.

After months of wear testing, Air Force officials revised the color scheme and camouflage pattern due to feedback received from airmen. The new semi-pixelated tiger-stripe pattern would trade its dominant blue overtones for a more subdued palette, similar to the Universal Camouflage Pattern, but with some added slate blue tones. [5] The uniform maintains a similar cut to the previous Battle Dress Uniform, rather than the contemporary Army Combat Uniform.[ citation needed ] The fabric was made in 50-50 nylon and cotton in order to reduce the need for summer/winter-type uniforms. [6]

2007: ABU Roll-out

On 2 October 2007, the Air Force began issuing the ABU to enlisted trainees in Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, was issued to the Class of 2012 at the United States Air Force Academy on 26 June 2008, and was made available for all airmen. Since 2008, it has been issued to airmen deploying to locations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

ABU digital tiger-stripe pattern Airman Battle Uniform ABU USAF Camouflage.jpg
ABU digital tiger-stripe pattern

2009: Airman Battle Shirt introduced

Starting in 2009, airmen who were in ground combat roles, such as Security Forces, were issued the new Airman Battle Shirt (ABS). The ABS was 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. The ABS features the same tiger stripe pattern on the sleeves. [7]

2010s

In 2010, the Operation Enduring Freedom Pattern Army Combat Uniform was authorized to replace the Airman Battle Uniform for airmen in the War in Afghanistan. [8]

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 was composed of 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. [9]

The ABU was fully phased in on 1 October 2011, completely replacing the BDU and DCU [10] though most airmen had been wearing the ABU for several years by that point.

2016: Civil Air Patrol adopts the ABU

Civil Air Patrol cadet wearing Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) ABU CAP Cadet.jpg
Civil Air Patrol cadet wearing Airman Battle Uniform (ABU)

The Air Force's civilian auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, wear-tested the ABU in late 2015, and in May 2016, the national commander of the Civil Air Patrol issued a memorandum allowing the wear of the ABU effective 15 June 2016. However, the uniform is worn with dark blue background and light silver lettering name and branch tapes and black boots in order to distinguish CAP personnel. [11]

2018: Switch to Operational Camouflage Pattern

All airmen have been authorized to wear the Operational Camouflage Pattern instead of ABUs since 1 October 2018. Recruits in basic training and cadets in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, and Officer Training School started being issued OCPs on 1 October 2019. The Airman Battle Uniform was no longer authorized to wear after 1 April 2021. [3] [12]

2020s

2022: Use by Ukraine

A limited number of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel have been photographed wearing the ABU during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [13] [14] [15]

Features and attributes

U.S. airmen in 2010 wearing the Airman Battle Uniform Defense.gov News Photo 101018-F-4908D-355 - U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Doug Clayton with the 75th Security Forces Squadron practices rifle-fighting techniques during a combat readiness.jpg
U.S. airmen in 2010 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 cut. The ABU is to be worn with sage green combat boots. The ABU does have essential NIR (near-infra red) qualities, and the sleeves are authorized to be rolled up. [16]

Overview of the Airman Battle Uniform is as follows: [17]

U.S. airmen wearing ABUs on an exercise in 2011 Defense.gov photo essay 111021-F-VU439-404.jpg
U.S. airmen wearing ABUs on an exercise in 2011

Backpacks and other accessories must be sage, black, or ABU pattern.

Users

A U.S. airman and Dominican airmen in front of a UH-1N. Airmen of the US and Dominican Air Forces.jpg
A U.S. airman and Dominican airmen in front of a UH-1N.

See also

Current U.S. uniforms

Former U.S. uniforms

Notes

  1. Formally; limited prototype testing from 2006 to 2007. Used alongside the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) until 2011. Was discontinued in 2021.

Related Research Articles

The United States Air Force officer rank insignia in use today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert Battle Dress Uniform</span> US arid-environment camouflage uniform

The Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU) is a U.S. arid-environment camouflage battle uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces from the early 1980s to the early to mid 1990s, most notably during the Persian Gulf War. Although the U.S. military has long since abandoned the pattern, it is still in widespread use by militaries across the world as of the early 2020s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MARPAT</span> US Marine Corps camouflage pattern

MARPAT is a multi-scale camouflage pattern in use with the United States Marine Corps, designed in 2001 and introduced from late 2002 to early 2005 with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU), which replaced the Camouflage Utility Uniform. Its design and concept are based on the Canadian CADPAT pattern. The pattern is formed of small rectangular pixels of color. In theory, it is a far more effective camouflage than standard uniform patterns because it mimics the dappled textures and rough boundaries found in natural settings. It is also known as the "digital pattern" or "digi-cammies" because of its micropattern (pixels) rather than the old macropattern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle Dress Uniform</span> Fatigues used by the US Armed Forces from early 1980s to mid-2000s

The Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) is a camouflaged combat uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces as their standard combat uniform from the early 1980s to the mid-2000s. Since then, it has been replaced or supplanted in every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military uniform</span> Standardised military dress

A military uniform is a standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army Combat Uniform</span> Combat utility uniform of the United States Army, Air Force, and Space Force

The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Space Force. Within the Air Force and Space Force, it is referred to as the OCP Uniform, rather than the Army Combat Uniform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat boot</span> Type of boots designed to be worn by soldiers

Combat or tactical boots are military boots designed to be worn by soldiers during combat or combat training, as opposed to during parades and other ceremonial duties. Modern combat boots are designed to provide a combination of grip, ankle stability, and foot protection suitable for a rugged environment. They are traditionally made of hardened and sometimes waterproofed leather. Today, many combat boots incorporate technologies originating in civilian hiking boots, such as Gore-Tex nylon side panels, which improve ventilation and comfort. They are also often specialized for certain climates and conditions, such as jungle boots, desert boots, and cold weather boots as well as specific uses, such as tanker boots and jump boots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat uniform</span> Military uniform

A combat uniform, also called field uniform, battledress or military fatigues, is a casual type of uniform used by military, police, fire and other public uniformed services for everyday fieldwork and combat duty purposes, as opposed to dress uniforms worn in functions and parades. It generally consists of a jacket, trousers and shirt or T-shirt, all cut to be looser and more comfortable than more formal uniforms. Design may depend on regiment or service branch, e.g. army, navy, air force, marines, etc. In the army branches, fabrics tend to come in camouflage, disruptive pattern or else green, brown or khaki monochrome, in order to approximate the background and make the soldier less visible in nature. In Western dress codes, field uniform is considered equivalent to civilian casual wear. As such, field uniform is considered less formal than service dress uniform, generally aimed at office or staff use, as well as mess dress uniform, and full dress uniform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoulder sleeve insignia</span> United States Army insignia

Shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) are distinctive cloth patches worn on the left sleeve of the United States Army uniform just below the shoulder seam by soldiers assigned to divisions, corps, armies, and other specifically authorized organizations. They are also worn on the right sleeve by soldiers to indicate former overseas service with certain units during periods of U.S. military operations in hostile conditions (MOHC).

The uniforms of the Canadian Armed Forces are the official dress worn by members of Canada's military while on duty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert Camouflage Uniform</span> Arid-environment camouflage uniform used by U.S. military from mid-1990s to early 2010s

The Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) is an arid-environment camouflage uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. In terms of pattern and textile cut, it is identical to the U.S. military's Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) uniform, but features a three-color desert camouflage pattern of dark brown, pale olive green, and beige, as opposed to the four-color woodland pattern of the BDU. It replaced the previous Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU) which featured a six-color "chocolate chip" pattern of beige, pale olive green, two tones of brown, and black and white rock spots. Although completely phased out of frontline use in the U.S. Armed Forces, some pieces and equipment printed in the DCU camouflage pattern are used in limited numbers such as MOPP suits and/or vests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform</span> Uniform

The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) is the current battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. It is also worn by Navy personnel assigned to Marine Corps units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms of the United States Air Force</span> Standardized military uniforms worn by airmen of the United States Air Force

The uniforms of the United States Air Force are the standardized military uniforms worn by members of the United States Air Force to distinguish themselves from the other services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Woodland</span> 1980s military camouflage pattern

The U.S. Woodland is a camouflage pattern that was used as the default camouflage pattern issued to the United States Armed Forces from 1981, with the issue of the Battle Dress Uniform, until its replacement in the mid to late 2000s. It is a four color, high contrast disruptive pattern with irregular markings in green, brown, sand and black. It is also known unofficially by its colloquial moniker of "M81" after the Battle Dress Uniform it was first used on, though this term was not officially used by the U.S. military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrol cap</span> Soft cap worn by military personnel in the field

A patrol hat, also known as a field cap or soft cap, is a soft kepi constructed similarly to a baseball cap, with a stiff, rounded visor but featuring a flat top, worn by military personnel of some countries in the field when a combat helmet is not required.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 97 Service Dress</span>

Type 97 Service Dress were the military uniforms used by all branches of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in both the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and People's Liberation Army Macau Garrison beginning in 1997. These uniforms have since been replaced by the new Type 07 series of uniforms, which were unveiled in late June 2007 in conjunction with the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong.

The uniforms of the United States Army distinguish soldiers from other service members. U.S. Army uniform designs have historically been influenced by British and French military traditions, as well as contemporary U.S. civilian fashion trends. The two primary uniforms of the modern U.S. Army are the Army Combat Uniform, used in operational environments, and the Army Green Service Uniform, worn during everyday professional wear and during formal and ceremonial occasions that do not warrant the wear of the more formal blue service uniform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operational Camouflage Pattern</span> United States military camouflage pattern

Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP), originally codenamed Scorpion W2, is a military camouflage pattern adopted in 2015 by the United States Army for use as the U.S. Army's main camouflage pattern on the Army Combat Uniform (ACU). This pattern officially replaced the U.S. Army's previous Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) as the official combat uniform pattern for most U.S. soldiers at the end of September 2019. The pattern also superseded the closely related MultiCam, a pattern previously used for troops deploying to Afghanistan.

The Navy Working Uniform (NWU) is a series of military uniforms that are currently used by the United States Navy for wear by its members. The NWU is a "working" uniform, which means that it is made to a more durable and utilitarian standard, thus being worn in lieu of more formal uniforms that might get unduly damaged or dirtied in the process of normal military duties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms of the United States Space Force</span> Standardized military uniforms worn by members of the U.S. Space Force

The uniforms of the United States Space Force are the standardized military uniforms worn by U.S. Space Force personnel, known as guardians.

References

  1. 1 2 "Space Force issues service-specific uniform guidance". 27 August 2020.
  2. Uniform phase-out date set for Nov. 1 Archived 2 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 Cox, Matthew (14 May 2018). "Air Force transitions to a single combat uniform". AF.mil. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  4. "Wearing the Uniform | Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters".
  5. 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
  6. "USAF Contracts for New Uniforms and Clothing".
  7. New uniforms: Comfortable, functional are goals . New uniforms: Comfortable, functional are goals . Retrieved 14 May 2009. Archived 2 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Bruce Rolfsen. "Airmen will receive MultiCam, eventually". Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  9. Larter, David (3 July 2011). "Lighter ABUs to help Airmen to beat heat in 2012". Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  10. Air Force Link, (2006). "Airman Battle Uniform finalized, ready for production Archived 22 March 2006 at the Wayback Machine "
  11. "Memorandum for All CAP Members" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  12. Mancaso, Shon J. (13 July 2018). Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel (PDF) (Report). Department of the Air Force. p. 9 of PDF. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  13. "Soldiers received boots and uniforms". United Help Ukraine. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022.
  14. @Militarylandnet (28 July 2022). "📷Ukrainian volunteer battalion Freikorps in the area of operations #UkraineRussiaWar" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  15. "Fighting in trenches at Ukraine's front line". Reuters . 13 April 2023.
  16. "Sleeves can now be rolled up". Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  17. "Airman Battle Uniform poster". af.mil. 2007. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2007.
  18. "The irresponsibly stupid and dangerous camouflage patterns of the U.S. Military". The Week . 22 January 2013.
  19. "It's Official: The Air Force Is Switching to the Army's OCP Uniform". 14 May 2018. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  20. "Pentagon spends billions on duplicative camouflage outfits, GAO says". Center for Public Integrity . 12 April 2013. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  21. "Airman Battle Uniform in Ukraine". 27 April 2023.[ better source needed ]