JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- As of January 17, a Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson memorandum authorized additional options for Airmen on the installation to better protect themselves from freezing and sub-zero temperatures with winter uniform changes.
“Travelling to and from places, you might think you don’t need a hat or gloves,” said Chief Master Sgt. Gary E. Berry II, 673d Air Base Wing and JBER command chief master sergeant. “But having the right gear is important because at these temperatures we are at risk for cold-related injuries.”
The regulations for watch caps, face masks and gloves have broadened beyond only sage green for the Airman Battle Uniforms and Flight Duty Uniforms.
The sage-green watch cap may be worn with ABU/FDU authorized outer garments, such as the fleece, physical training uniform, while the black cap can be worn with any uniform combination except mess dress and semi-formal, according to the memorandum.
All watch caps and gloves in color accordance with AFI 36-2903 made of fleece, neoprene and polypropylene may be worn unless restricted from specific areas by safety directives.
Personnel may wear sage-green or black full or half-face masks, balaclavas or hood fleece five-way style hats with ABU/FDU combinations. Hoods are not considered uniformed headgear so they must be paired with appropriate headgear of the same color: camouflage, sage green, or black.
The old jackets are slowly being phased out, Berry said, because the third-generation extreme cold weather parka provides everyone with the protection against the cold and the flexibility to continue the mission successfully. Therefore, the N-2B short parka is no longer authorized for new purchase, but can still be worn with ABUs as an outer garment. The N-3B long extreme cold-weather parka can also only be worn with ABUs.
In their place, the ECW parka can be worn with any uniform combination and must have the United States Air Force and rank insignia in the same manner as the sage-green fleece jacket.
The Air Force Medicine website [www.airforcemedicine.af.mil], emphasizes wear of appropriate weather gear clothing at all times. Simple tips like dressing in layers and being aware of the weather can help prevent hypothermia, frostbite, and muscle strain due to overexertion.