We thought this had been a done deal awhile ago but apparently some USAF units were still deploying personnel to Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) in either the Airman Battle Uniform or Airman Battle System-Ground. However, Lt Gen Goldfein, AFCENT/CC has issued wear guidance (effective 1 April 2012) specifying equipment in OCP (MultiCam) as the only authorized for use in Afghanistan. In addition to the Army issued OCIE, the Tactical Flight Duty Uniform (By DRIFIRE and Eagle) and the legacy Desert Tan flight suit are also authorized for wear in OCP.
According to the memo, USAF personnel who are currently deployed with Digital Tigerstripe clothing and equipment, and do not conduct “outside the wire missions” will not be issued OCP replacements. Interestingly, we shouldn’t see combinations like the maintainer in the photo above. Finally, Airmen will wear cloth Aircrew Style Name Plates embroidered with their name, USAF and rank. Amazingly, those seem to work just fine in combat. Too bad the Air Force had to get rid of them in the late 90s for the BDU.
