The New BDU Appears: 
The Air Force has rolled out its new battle dress uniform, saying it will be available in Fiscal 2007. This latest one survived the wear test that proved the undoing of an earlier blue, tiger stripe version. Officials say the new BDU incorporates things that airmen said they wanted, including pockets for small tools and pockets that are useable even when wearing body armor. They describe the color as “soft earth tones” of tan, grey, green, and blue. It’s also supposed to be easier to maintain—no ironing. And, the term of preference is ABU—for Airman Battle Uniform.
When an E-3 Sentry battle management aircraft was damaged in an Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, it sparked a host of questions about one of the Air Force’s oldest, smallest, but most critical fleets. Experts say the service doesn’t have many options to answer those questions.