Air Force officials authorize BDU cold weather item to wear with ABUs

  • Published
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Air Force officials here now authorized Airmen to wear the battle dress uniform cold weather Gore-Tex and field jacket with the current airman battle uniform.

The decision to authorize the coat stems from the demand of cold weather gear outweighing current supply of the new ABU coat.

According to a message released by Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services officials, "The No. 1 concern is the well-being of our Airmen."

In the message from June 2008, Air Force officials extended the authority for major command leaders to authorize wear of the BDU Gore-Tex and field jacket with the ABU when other approved cold weather options were unavailable or unserviceable.

Supply of ABU cold weather garments is affected by delivery trends of the private industry sector. To ensure Airmen are equipped for adverse weather, the "mix and match" policy has been extended till May 1, 2010.

For any questions regarding this policy, please address them through you chain of command or by calling the Air Force Personnel Center at 1- 800-525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.