RAF Mildenhall, USAF uniform changes at a glance

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Thomas Trower
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  In the everchanging world of uniform guidance, RAF Mildenhall Airmen are now authorized to wear new outer garments, a new pullover sweater, and specific career fields are now authorized a new lighter-weight Airman Battle Uniform top.

The new wear guidance was released in a series of memorandums by the Air Force Personnel Center and Air Force senior leaders. At the time this article was written, the RAF Lakenheath Army and Air Force Exchange Service Military Clothing Sales Store has only the pullover sweater in stock.

Sage green fleece liner

The sage green fleece liner can only be worn over the ABU top as an outer garment; it cannot be worn in place of the ABU top. The liner must be zipped no lower than halfway between the name tape and collar and the collar must be folded down when the zipper is not completely up.
Starting Oct. 1, 2010, all liners must have the following accouterments:
- A hook-and-loop-backed "U.S. Air Force" tape with dark blue block lettering centered between the zipper and sleeve seam on wearer's left chest.
- A hook-and-loop-backed name tape of the wearer's last name in dark blue block lettering centered between the zipper and sleeve seam on wearer's right chest.
- A hook-and-loop-backed subdued cloth rank tab with a solid sage green background flushed and centered above the name tape on the wearer's right chest.

Airmen should try to have the bottom edge of the green fleece match as closely as possible to the bottom of the ABU top. The sleeves are not authorized to be rolled or pulled up.

Cold weather items including black or sage green leather, suede or knit gloves; black or sage green watch caps; tucked in black scarves; and black earmuffs are authorized for wear with the liner.

Airmen are authorized to wear the liner without accouterments under the all purpose environmental clothing system, or APECS, jacket. The older black fleece liner will be obsolete Oct. 1, 2010.

Pullover sweater

A new 50 percent acrylic/50 percent wool pullover v-neck sweater is authorized for wear in place of the older all-wool sweater. This version is lighter weight in a flat knit pattern.

Nametags are not authorized on either version of the pullover sweater. An initial release of the 50/50 sweater included a hook-an-loop fastener location for a name patch; however, this has been removed. Airmen who purchased a sweater with these fasteners may return the item to an AAFES MCCS alterations store to have them removed at no charge.

All other wear guidance for the pullover sweater remains consistent with Air Force Instruction 36-2903.

The 100 percent wool sweater is authorized for wear until Oct. 1, 2010.

100 percent cotton ABU top

A new 100 percent cotton ABU top has been authorized for Airmen in jobs that meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements. This distinct item protects Airmen working around fire and electrical hazards. Not all Airmen are authorized to wear this top and it is not considered a "summer weight" version of the ABU.


Most Airmen will continue to wear the 50 percent cotton/50 percent nylon ABU, available for purchase from authorized MCSSs. Purchase of the ABU from outside vendors is not allowed.

Airmen needing to wear the new cotton ABU top should consult their chain of command for approval prior to purchasing the items.

Any questions regarding the wear of any of the listed items should be directed through the chain of command or to the AFPC's contact center at (800) 525-0102 or DSN 312-665-5000.