Missile field defenders receive multi-cam uniforms

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brandon Valle
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Security forces Airmen across 20th Air Force began receiving the new Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern uniform Feb. 2, 2015.

The OCP includes cold-weather gear, which provides seven levels of protection against the extreme conditions encountered at northern-tier bases, as well as new duty gear and personal protective equipment that has been redesigned with the missile field mission in mind.

The defenders at Minot AFB, North Dakota, Malmstrom AFB, Montana, F.E. Warren AFB and Camp Guernsey, Wyoming, are no strangers to the harsh weather those bases can bring as well as challenges typical with missile field terrain.

"OCPs are the right uniform and the right camouflage pattern for our area of operation," said Col. Ken O'Neil, 341st Security Forces Group commander.  "These uniforms are accompanied by the best integrated cold weather system money can buy, and that's critical for our Airmen in the field."

The OCP uniform is part of the Model Defender Program which provides new optics for weapons and 40 other pieces of equipment. These items include ballistic glasses, new pouches, knee and elbow pads, multi-tools, plate carriers and extreme weather clothing.

"The uniforms assist in facilitating a Warrior Ethos as a very visible symbol of our security forces transformation," O'Neil said.

When receiving the new uniforms for the first time, many Airmen expressed their excitement to get the improved uniforms.

"We got the OCP multi-cams, and we also got some gear we didn't have before," said Senior Airman Casey Dickman, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron member. "My favorite new item is probably the vest because they have built in magazine pouches, which is pretty awesome.  Now we don't have to move our vest if it's uncomfortable or worry about which side we are going to put them on."

The first group of defenders will begin wearing the uniform Feb. 9, 2015. Distribution of the gear is expected to be complete by the end of March.

The Model Defender Program is one piece of the Force Improvement Program where leadership made wholesale changes to better empower the Airmen to ensure they had the resources needed to be effective in their jobs. The command collected more than 300 FIP recommendations from the Airmen in the field and the roll-out of the OCP uniform is one of the ideas being implemented.