Missile field defenders receive multi-cam uniforms

by Airman 1st Class Brandon Valle
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

2/3/2015 - 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.

"They're a camouflage uniform that blends with our operating environment to provide better concealment, functionality and survivability advantages," said Lt. Col. Michelle Stringer, 20th AF director of security.

The OCP uniform is part of the Model Defender Program which provides new optics for weapons and 40 other pieces of equipment, Stinger said.

These items include ballistic glasses, new pouches, knee and elbow pads, multi-tools, plate carriers and extreme weather clothing.

"Our Airmen are vital to our national mission, and the initiative makes them the best equipped defenders in the world," she said.

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

"I think the new uniforms are really cool," said Airman Dean Fedrizzi, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron Security Support Team. "I wasn't excited at first, but now that I see them, I'm really psyched to get them."

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.