AF leaders answer Airman Battle Uniform cold-weather gear questions

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The recent cold weather has left many Airmen scratching their heads about what jacket, and other cold weather gear, is authorized to wear with the new Airman Battle Uniform.

In answer to those questions, Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, empowered commanders to use their discretion to authorize the wear of cold-weather battle dress uniform outer garments with the ABU during the coming winter months.
Immediately after receiving that official message, Col. Al. Hunt, 375th Airlift Wing commander, signed a letter dated Jan. 15 authorizing all Scott Airmen to wear the BDU GORETEX and field jacket with the ABU for the 2008 winter months.

"The original guidance was based on the fact the mandatory wear date for transitioning from BDUs to ABUs was 2011," General Newton said. "I decided it was time to relook our wear policy based on the limited availability of the new all purpose environmental clothing system jacket, the fact we have new Airmen joining our Air Force who have been issued nothing but the ABU, and the overwhelming response from Airmen in the field to the new ABUs."

As the mercury continues to drop, Chief Master Sgt. Jim Suttles, 375th Airlift Wing Command Chief, wants to clarify the ABU policy.

"Currently at Scott, the outer garments authorized for wear with the ABU are the long blue all-weather coat, the All Purpose Environmental Clothing System jacket, better known as the APECS, in addition to the BDU GORTEX and field jacket," Chief Suttles explained. "It's important for Airmen to know that green winter parkas are only authorized at northern-tier bases where they are issued, and Scott is not a northern-tier base--so, the parka is not issued nor authorized here."

According to published uniform policy, the ABU Improved Rain Suit is also an authorized uniform accessory.

For those Airmen who have the APECS, fleece liners in either black or sage green are authorized for wear under the jacket.

"We were recently notified by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service that the APECS are not expected to become available in quantity until May, however a small number may begin to arrive a little sooner," said Sharon Cullen, Scott Military Clothing Sales Store manager.

The policy letter allowing Airmen to wear the BDU jackets with the ABU expires June 1. After that date, BDU and ABU uniform items are not permitted to be mixed for wear.

According to Judd Ansty, AAFES Headquarters spokesperson, the ABU and APECS come from the Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia, and it's just one of more than 8,000 items the DCS Clothing and Textile Division of the DSC is responsible for producing and distributing to Airmen, Soldiers marines and Sailors around the world. Factoring in the varying sizes of each uniform item, that's more than 31,000 items that must be produced, managed and distributed.

The APECS will be available in 19 sizes ranging from extra small-extra short through extra large-long.

Other ABU cold weather gear include the turtleneck shirt in desert sand color as well as gloves and watch caps which may be black, sage green or desert sand in color. A scarf is authorized to wear with the APECS and the color must match the fleece liner.

"The bottom line is this...when the weather gets cold, think safety, but don't forget to look professional," Chief Suttles said.