U.S. Air Force leaders announced the service will move to a single combat utility uniform, adopting the Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, already in use by the Army and Airmen in combat zones and in certain jobs across the Air Force.

Master Sgt. Nicholas Kollett, first sergeant for the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, folds an Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern uniform at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The U.S. Air Force could start switching to the Army’s Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform as early as October 1, 2018 (Photo: Capt. Raymond Geoffroy/U.S. Air Force)

Starting October 1, 2018, Airmen who have serviceable OCPs may wear the uniform. The service will fully transition to OCPs by April 1, 2021. Air Force leaders decided to transition to the OCP following feedback from Airmen that it is the best, battle-tested utility uniform available. It will also eliminate the need to maintain two separate uniforms - one for in-garrison and one for deployments - and it is a visible reminder of the service's identity as a joint warfighting force, Air Force officials said.

"The uniform works in all climates-from Minot to Manbij-and across the spectrum of missions we perform,", Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein said. "We spoke to and listened to Airmen on this, and the OCP was the clear choice. It's suitable for our Airmen working on a flight line in Northern Tier states and for those conducting patrols in the Middle East," he said.

More than 100,000 Airmen have been issued or are already wearing OCPs or equivalent two-piece flight suits-from Airmen deployed to Air Forces Central Command, to those serving in Air Force Special Operations Command, and most recently, aircrews in Air Mobility Command and defenders in Air Force Global Strike Command.

As with the Battle Dress Uniform, or BDU, worn by all services until about 10 years ago, the OCP Airmen wear will have distinctive Air Force features. The name tape and Air Force lettering will be a spice-brown color, and T-shirts and belts will be tan. Most rank will also be in spice-brown thread. Squadron patches will also be worn on the OCP, said Goldfein. Bringing back squadron patches was among the recommendations made by Airmen as part of the ongoing effort to revitalize squadrons.

Unit patches and special functional identifiers (Security Forces, Fire, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Tactical Air Control Party, Combat Controller, etc.) will be attached to Velcro fabric on the sleeves. All patches will be in subdued colors; headquarters patches and the U.S. flag will be worn on the right shoulder, and unit patches and authorized duty identifiers will be worn on the left shoulder.

"We'll maintain our distinctive Air Force uniforms in blues, service dress, mess dress, and PT gear", Goldfein concluded.