Some of you may remember the on-again, off-again love affair the Air Force was having with DriFire’s PHENIX II Flight Suit. But it looks like that has all been cleared up. According to the latest version of USAFCENTI 36-2903 dated 6 June, 2011, only three different two-piece flight suits are authorized for wear in the AFCENT AOR. Two of them are DriFire suits.
3.7.2. Procurement: Through rigorous AFE testing and flight testing, three sets of TFDUs have been approved for wear. The TFDU will be purchased with unit funds. Manufacturers who have met ACC requirements and styles authorized are:
Company: DriFire
Style(s):
1) Phoenix (sic) II (S)
2) Phoenix (sic) II (W)
Company: Eagle Industries
Style(s):
3) Tactical Aircrew Flight Suit Jacket
3) Tactical Aircrew Flight Suit Pants
The Instruction is very specific about wear and goes on to state:
TFDU will only be worn when performing flying operations, flight line duties, flight related duties (to include Alert Commitments/Responsibilities) and meals in association with flying duties. It will not be worn during travel to and from the Area of Responsibility. Mixing of jackets and pants from different manufacturers is not authorized.
Additionally, the London Bridge Trading Rigger’s Belt, part # LBT0612A, is authorized to be worn. This belt is part of the Army’s FREE program, an FR clothing system for Aviators and Mounted Crewmen.
Wear is restricted to H-60 and C-130 crews. We do know that the DriFire ensembles are currently available and can be had in Tan as well as OCP (MultiCam). As soon as we get a status on the Eagle uniform we will update this article.
