New ACU variant

I was flying back from Albuquerque earlier this month and stopped in Dallas Fort Worth and saw a group of soldiers, I took a look at their shirts and noticed that there has been some altercations to the uniforms, it looked like some kind of band around the entire shirt and the tighteners on the bottom of the pants was replaced with velcro rather than the typical draw strings. I will try to find some more info. I haven't been able to find any pictures but does anyone know more about this and how long its been around for.

Without a photo I'm not 100%, but that kind of sounds like the fire-retardant Nomex ACU. I know a soldier who is a wheeled vehicle mechanic who was wearing this kind last time I saw him. (That was a good 4or so years ago though, something new may have since been phased in.)

I do not know who else is authorised to wear them. (Armour crews, vehicle operators, etc.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/USGI-A2CU-Aramid-Aircrew-ACU-Nomex-Jacket-Size-M-R-New-/320723825806?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aaca1348e

I believe this is it, so it was an aramid aircrew ACU. If I remember correctly they had the 10th division patch on, regardless its the first time I've seen it and may have to go pick up a pair.

I have a jacket very similar to the one pictured that i have owned now for a couple of years-wasnt sure what it was so thanks for the info.

The AACU (or A2CU) is the new digital flight uniform for aircrew members. The easiest way to tell the difference is the velcro waist strap used to cinch up the uniform top, the shoulder pockets also have a second pocket with a zippered access on the front side. Also its softer to the touch due to it being nomex.
The pants do have the the velcro tighteners at the ankle. They also have a flashlight holder on the left inside thigh, the left pocket is also zippered access.

Pic of the zippered shoulder pocket...



Left thigh zippered pocket and flashlight pocket...

Just dug out my jacket for comparison.

It's a really nice uniform to have. There's plenty of them, new and used, up on eBay at any given time. Sometimes not too expensive either.

Cheers,

Steve

CollectinSteve wrote:It's a really nice uniform to have. There's plenty of them, new and used, up on eBay at any given time. Sometimes not too expensive either.

Cheers,

Steve

And they're way more comfortable than the ACU's. It's like wearing pajamas.