The U.S. Air Force will move to a single combat uniform and adopt the Army’s Operational Camouflage Pattern starting Oct. 1.
The Army began its own move to the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) in the summer of 2015.
Maj. Gen. Robert LaBrutta, Air Force director of military force management policy and deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, said the Air Force would transition out of the traditional Airman Battle Uniform, or ABU, during the next three years.
"Enhancing our readiness, the OCP is a uniform for form, fit and function," LaBrutta told reporters, according to Military.com. "It is the best-of-breed of utility uniform that we believe is in the inventory."
Although the basic uniform mimics that of the Army, it will nonetheless include features that are distinctly Air Force, including squadron patches.
“Unit patches express squadron identity and heritage — something our Airmen are incredibly proud of and want to celebrate,” said Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein said in a statement.
He added that the new uniform is suitable in all areas of engagement.
“The uniform works in all climates — from Minot to Manbij — and across the spectrum of missions we perform,” Goldfein said. “It’s suitable for our Airmen working on a flight line in Northern Tier states and for those conducting patrols in the Middle East.”
People on social media sounded excited by the news.
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