The first prototype of the ABU was unveiled in the summer of 2003, based on the Vietnam-era tiger stripe pattern.[1] The early uniform prototypes consisted of trousers, an embroidered undershirt, and a blouse. The camouflage pattern, developed by Tiger Stripe Products and based upon their popular copyrighted Original Vietnam Tiger Stripe™ was a blue/grey, tiger stripe pattern. After months of "wear testing," Air Force officials revised the color scheme and camouflage pattern due to feedback received from Airmen. The new elementary semi-pixelated tiger pattern would trade its dominant blue overtones for a more subdued palette, which still includes some blue tones.[2] In October 2007 the Air Force began issuing the ABU to trainees in Basic Military Training, and it is expected to become available for purchase by all Airmen shortly after this. It has also been issued on a more limited basis to Airmen being deployed to locations in the Middle East. Initial complaints regarding the uniform have been its inability to keep Airmen cool while working in desert conditions due to the thickness of the material and large interior pockets. The ABU has already arrived at some AAFES military clothing stores. [edit] Features/Attributes The Airman Battle Uniform is similar to the Army Combat Uniform (or ACU) in colorway and similar to the BDU in layout. The ABU is to be worn with low-maintenance foliage green suede boots, mandatory until a given foliage green phase-in date. Desert boots may be worn with the ABU, and accessories such as backpacks and gloves may be black, until the foliage green phase-in date. The ABU does not have features such as tilted/slanted pockets, sleeve pockets, velcro attachment points and closures, gusseted back, mandarin collar, etc., but it does have essential NIR (near-infared) qualities. Unlike the ACU, the sleeves are authorized to be rolled up, as the uniform is made of thicker material which doesn't do as well in the hot weather areas but is said to be cooler than standard starched BDU's. [3]Overview of the Airman Battle Uniform is as follows: Headwear Patrol cap's shape remains the same, including sewn vent holes instead of grommetted vent hole. Boonie cover is available for the ABU for use only in Deployed Location. Organizational caps are not authorized Sand T-shirt Blouse Insignia is embroidered in dark-blue thread with urban-grey background Nametapes and service tapes are embroidered in dark-blue thread in ABU background Patches are not worn with the ABU 2 internal map pockets Pen pouch on left forearm Outerwear such as Gore-Tex parka, rain jacket are available for the ABU Rigger's belt, sand Trousers Elastic stretch waist instead of adjustable pull tabs Additional pocket inside thigh cargo pockets Two bellowed lower leg cargo pockets Tool pouches on lower leg pockets Boots are foliage green The ABU boasts 236 different size options in both male and female sizes which will only be offered in temperate weight. Additionally, its permanent press finish means the uniform cannot be starched, pressed or dry-cleaned. Airmen will be able to pull the ABU from the dryer and wear it without further treatment. Any further treatment will degrade the effectiveness of the uniform and damage the NIR capability. NO mixing of uniform patterns is currently authorized with the ABU EXCEPT when in the AOR, when ACU or camouflage field items, such as mag/utility pouches, body armor, helmet covers, knee/elbow pads, etc. are authorized. Only the AF APECS Parka or DCU gore-tex is authorized in the AOR. The mandatory wear date for the ABU is 1 October 2011.