All airmen will wear the same version of the combat utility uniform now in use by the Army and Air Force in combat zones and certain other jobs, the service announced May 14.
Airmen can now buy the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms at Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Exchanges at more installations will begin carrying the uniforms as manufacturers gear up production and bolster stocks. All airmen should be wearing the OCPs by April 1, 2021, the service announced.
The Air Force settled upon the OCP as the standard combat uniform after garnering feedback from airmen. Their consensus was the uniform is “the best, battle-tested utility uniform available,” according to a service press release.
The change would mean that airmen no longer have to maintain two utility uniforms — one for deployment and one to wear in garrison. The OCP regarded as suitable for all climates, and is now worn by more than 100,000 airmen — mostly attached to Air Forces Central Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Mobility Command, and Air Force Global Strike Command.
Even though airmen essentially would be wearing the same uniform as soldiers, their version will be adorned with “distinctive Air Force features,” the service said.
Nametags, lettering and most ranks will be spice brown in color, while belts and t-shirts will be tan.
Also, the Air Force plans to bring back unit patches, attached by Velcro to the left shoulders of sleeves. Like the unit patches, the U.S. flag and headquarters patches worn on right sleeves will be subdued in color.
Airmen attending basic, reserve officer and officer training courses will be issued OCP uniforms beginning Oct. 1, 2019.
To cover costs, airmen should see increases in their annual clothing allowances beginning Oct. 1 of this year.
