The Airman Battle System Ground (ABS-G), was a combat uniform used by certain members of the United States Air Force during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The uniform itself was called the Airman’s Battle Ensemble, which was one part of the larger Airman Battle System Ground program.

The Air Force created the ABS-G around 2008 because the standard Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) was not ideal for combat operations. Many Airmen serving in dangerous areas needed uniform that was more comfortable under body armor and had better pocket locations so design was borrowed from flight suits. Leg pockets were easier to reach while sitting inside vehicles such as Humvees, and zippered sleeve pockets could still be accessed while wearing body armor. Battlefield Airmen also needed better protection from fire and heat because of the growing threat of roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices.

The ABS-G was issued beginning in 2008 to Airmen who worked outside the safety of large bases. It was only issued to Security Forces, Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, Tactical Air Control Party members, Pararescue Jumpers, and other “battlefield airmen” deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. The uniform used the same “universal camo” digital tiger stripe camouflage pattern as the ABU, but it was made from flame resistant (FR) materials and had a more practical design for use with body armor and equipment.

The ABS-G was never widely issued across the entire Air Force. Only a small number of Airmen received it, and it saw service for a relatively short time. It was controlled item, not available in PX or commercially for private purchase. Air Force switched to flame resistant Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP or as widely known, multicam), which replaced both the ABS-G and ABU. This makes the ABS-G one of the shortest serving and most limited issue Air Force uniforms of the GWOT.

Source:

United States Air Forces Central Command. “ABS-G: New Gear Integrates Function, Capabilities for Combat Airmen.” Air Forces Central News, 2008. https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/221458/abs-g-new-gear-integrates-function-capabilities-for-combat-airmen/