Air Force Space Command Eliminates Flight Suit

The commander of Air Force Space Command announced Friday that personnel assigned to AFSPC will cease wearing flight suits, the green flight jacket and the A-2 Leather Jackets, effective no later than the end of the fiscal year.

According to AFSPC, this is an effort to standardize uniform wear across Air Force Space Command in a resource-constrained environment.

AFSPC stopped purchasing the Flight Duty Uniforms, Desert Flight Duty Uniforms and A-2 Leather Jackets, and associated patches, for space operators on March 14.

“We want to create synergy among all personnel across the command,” said General William L. Shelton, commander of AFSPC. “When personnel wear the same uniform it has a unifying effect toward mission accomplishment. Standardization among the entire command prevents the perception of a ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ situation; the very meaning of the word ‘uniform’ should drive us toward standardization.”

The policy affects approximately 1,800 Airmen in the Space Systems Operations and Space and Missile Operations career fields. It will save an estimated $670,000 per year during a time of fiscal constraint throughout the Air Force.

An AFSPC policy letter issued April 10 states that starting October 1, military personnel in any Air Force Specialty Code assigned to an AFSPC unit will no longer be authorized to wear the flight suit and green flight jacket, unless they are engaged in flying operations, nor are they authorized to wear the A-2 Leather Jacket.

“Between the expense of purchasing these items, and the fact that our operations don’t involve flying, this recommendation was good common sense,” General Shelton said.

This policy only affects Airmen assigned to AFSPC.