SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper speaks with Capt. Cherish Krutil from the 745th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at a forward-deployed location Nov. 4. The general, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray are traveling the area visiting deployed Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Travis Aston)
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche shakes hands Nov. 4 with aircrew members deployed to Southwest Asia. The secretary, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray are traveling the area visiting deployed Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Travis Aston)
by Staff Sgt. Bryan Bouchard
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
11/5/2004 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- When Air Force leaders arrived at this forward-deployed location Nov. 4, they wore the latest proposed replacement for the battle dress uniform.
“I was surprised to see them wearing the newer version of the uniform,” said Master Sgt. Sharon Kegler, a first sergeant deployed from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. “I knew the Air Force took suggestions through the feedback Web site, but I didn’t know they made the changes to it so quickly and were going to wear it today.”
Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray modeled the latest version of the uniform.
Significant changes come in both color and pattern. Instead of the original blue, gray and green, the Air Force is now trying a combination of tan, blue and green. Also, the tiger-stripe pattern is now digitized, similar to the new Marine uniform, and it is made of the same material.
Of course, Airmen were quick to address their concerns about the new version.
General Jumper said the new uniform will be simpler to maintain.
“We don’t starch, we don’t press them, [and] we don’t spit shine shoes -- we use it as a utility uniform,” he said.
Airmen are now preparing to wear the new uniform.
“I like this version a lot better than the other test uniform because the colors aren’t as bright,” Sergeant Kegler said. “I’m actually looking forward to the uniform because it’s supposed to be more comfortable to wear and (will) have women’s sizes available.”
