So long, ABUs.
The Air Force on April 1 will officially finish the transfer to the Operational Camouflage Pattern, meaning March 31 is the last day that Airman Battle Uniforms can be worn in regulations.
USAF in May 2018 announced it would phase out the ABU in favor of the OCP, developed by the U.S. Army. The adoption began in a phased approach, with OCPs now universal in both the Air Force and the Space Force.
The OCP was the “best, battle-tested utility uniform available,” the Air Force announced in 2018, claiming it will work in all climates “from Minot to Manbij.”
“We looked at all utility uniforms currently in our inventory to find the best-of-breed,” then-Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein said in a release at the time. “We spoke to and listened to Airmen on this, and the OCP was the clear choice.”
ABUs have been USAF’s main uniform since 2007, following the phase-out of the woodland camouflage Battle Dress Uniform.
Several USAF commands posted that their members wore the ABU for the last time. For example, the Space and Missile Systems Center posted photographs of Airmen and Guardians in the uniform to pay “homage” to it.
For Airmen with extra ABUs, the Civil Air Patrol is asking for new or lightly used uniforms to help cadets and members follow the CAP’s uniform code.