LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Since May 2018, Air Force units have been working toward a transition from the Airman Battle Uniform to the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform, originally developed for wear by the U.S. Army. With the mandatory transition date to the OCPs approaching, the Air Force Reserve has begun distribution of the new uniforms to enlisted Reserve Citizen Airmen.
“The 944th Fighter Wing received initial funds for OCPs in February,” said Denise Sullivan, 944th FW Financial Management supervisor. “We have received $241,000 for our first set of enlisted uniform orders.”
With the recent appointing of funds for OCP distribution, the 944th Fighter Wing has representatives throughout the wing to facilitate uniform orders for Airmen.
“For [career fields] that require steel-toe boots we have received an additional $235,000 in funding specifically to provide those Airmen with the proper equipment to accomplish their mission,” said Sullivan. “With our current budget, officers and Active Guard Reserve technicians do not currently qualify for the initial issue. The funding is only for enlisted Traditional Reservists and Air Reserve Technicians,” said Sullivan.
The 944th anticipates issuing the OCP uniform in several phases, the first taking place now with enlisted Airmen ordering their initial issue through their unit level representative, with further orders being placed as stock and funds become available.
“Additional funding is being provided as needed,” Sullivan explained. “We have already put in a request and we anticipate that it will be funded.”
Airmen who already use the OCP uniform are currently authorized to wear their t-shirts, socks and boots that were paired with the ABU, as well as the green cloth U.S. flag patches, however those legacy items will soon phase out. Effective June 1st, 2020 all Airmen wearing OCPs will transition to the coyote brown t-shirt and boots, Defense Logistics Agency-issued green or coyote brown socks, and the spice brown U.S. flag patch and by April 1st, 2021, ABUs will no longer be an authorized uniform for U.S. Air Force members.