Official websites use .mil
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
A new, interactive uniform exhibit at Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters traces the history and evolution of Air Force clothing and the command’s role in the uniform process. This exhibit is located at the AFMC Headquarters, Building 262 on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and showcases images of uniforms from the 1940s to present day.
To learn more about each uniform on display, hover over the image to link to a description. The full gallery of images is also available on the uniform image gallery.
Vietnam-era K-2B Flight Suit
Donated by Col. Walter Boyne, USAF, Retired
Walter J. Boyne was an internationally recognized author and aviation historian. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and served as a bomber pilot, logging thousands of hours of flight time. Boyne flew as a B-50 and B-47 combat crew member in Strategic Air Command and later was a nuclear test pilot with the 4925th Nuclear Test Group at Kirtland Air Force Base, flying both the B-47 and B-52. He retired in 1974 and joined the National Air and Space Museum as a curator, ultimately serving as director from 1983 to 1986.
During his life Boyne received many domestic and foreign honors, including the Bronze Star, induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2007; a lifetime achievement award from the Air Force Association in 2010; induction into the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame in 2011; and numerous literary awards.
"Shirt and Pants - 505s (Shade #505) Uniform of the Day: The Air Force’s first attempt at a khaki uniform. A different color from the Tan Shade 193 also known as “Silver Tans” - Khaki duty uniform, this uniform was in Khaki Shade #505. The 505s had one serious drawback unless the uniform was heavily starched: it lost the press, its sharpness, after being worn for a short time. This photo shows us one of the 5 variations available to all Airmen in the 505 series. Officers and enlisted members were issued this “bush” uniform for wear in hot climates. The jacket was similar to the present day Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) shirt and featured one distinctive difference: it included a waist belt. Retired Senior Master Sgt. Wayne Gerbus remembers wearing this very uniform while accomplishing some of his office duties while assigned to an Air Rescue Squadron. An additional combination added a pith helmet and shorts, with khaki knee-high socks. A pair of black low quarter shoes topped of the uniform. Not surprisingly, this uniform enjoyed little popularity in the ranks and was quickly eliminated from use.
CAMERA
N/A
LENS
APERTURE
SHUTTERSPEED
ISO
No camera details available.
This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.