ABUs available in short supply Published Jan. 4, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Vanessa Young 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- The Airman Battle Uniform is available in limited supply at the Lakenheath Military Clothing Sales Store. According to Marie Heneghan, Army & Air Force Exchange Service reorder associate, AAFES has many orders placed with the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, but some ABU items are in limited supply or unavailable. The MCSS has women's, men's and maternity ABUs in stock, but not all sizes are available. Ms. Heneghan added that some sizes won't be available until the Air Force releases the merchandise, which may as early as this February. Also, The MCSS only has ABU hats available in two sizes, but are trying to source more of them from stateside bases. The all-purpose environmental camouflage parka jackets for the ABU are not available at this time. The estimated date of arrival for the APEC jacket is May, but only in limited quantities at the MCSS. The MCSS does not take orders on ABUs; so Airmen are encouraged to stop by and see what is available. The MCSS does, however, take orders on ABU boots, nametags and function badges. Many internet vendors are offering ABUs for sale, but Airmen should be wary of these vendors because their products may not be approved for use by the Air Force. According to Karen Raven, AAFES MCSS manager, although Propper International, the maker of the ABUs, is a DSCP vendor, the ABUs sold on the commercial market are not guaranteed to have passed the rigorous Air Force Quality Assurance testing program. Airmen can address concerns about any DSCP item, to include the ABUs, to Dscpfeedbackct@dla.mil.