Living History: Operation Uniform Delta Highlights US Air Force Heritage

Airmen modeling historical Air Force uniforms line up during Operation Uniform Delta April 27 at a base in Southwest Asia. Operation Uniform Delta was an event displaying the history of the Air Force uniform and the changes that it underwent through the years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Satran.)

Senior Airman Eliezer Cruz-Flacon models the World War II Army Air Corps transitional uniform with Air Force accouterments during Operation Uniform Delta April 27 at a base in Southwest Asia. Operation Uniform Delta was an event displaying the history and birth of the Air Force uniform and showed the transitions that it underwent through the years. Airman Cruz-Falcon is assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Satran.)

Capt. Jonathan Harmon models the white summer transition service dress uniform, used up into the 1970s, during Operation Uniform Delta April 27 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Operation Uniform Delta was a morale event that allowed military members to view the transition of the Air Force's uniforms throughout the years. Captain Harmon is assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Satran.)

Senior Airman Shala Santiago shows off the blue women in the Air Force (WAF) uniform from the 1950's during Operation Uniform Delta April 27 at a base in Southwest Asia. Operation Uniform Delta highlighted the Air force uniforms history and showed their transitions through the years. Airman Santiago is assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Satran.)

Capt. Rich Shoaf walks down the runway wearing the Air Force's first official fatigue uniform during Operation Uniform Delta April 27 at a base in Southwest Asia. Operation Uniform Delta was an event displaying the history of the Air Force uniforms and their transformations throughout the years. Captain Shoaf is assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Satran.)

Airmen pose for a group photo during Operation Uniform Delta April 27 at a base in Southwest Asia. Operation Uniform Delta was an event displaying the history of the Air Force uniform and the changes that it underwent through the years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Satran.)

Living History:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, May 5, 2009 -- Air Force heritage walked before today's deployed servicemembers when 18 volunteer airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing wore vintage uniforms at showcase events here April 24 and again April 27.

Operation Uniform Delta was a sample of a collection started and maintained by Tech. Sgt. Jack Waid, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron escort flight NCO, who is deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.

"Since the moment I arrived, I have wanted to get the uniforms here," said Sergeant Waid.

The base's five private organizations -- Company Grade Officers Council, Desert Chiefs, Desert Diamonds, Top IV and Desert V -- all made monetary donations to cover some of the $500 shipping costs and each also provided volunteers to model the uniforms. Organization supporters, like Tech. Sgt. Scott Walker and Master Sgt. Jereme Melton from the Top IV, were critical to the planning and final success of the event, said Sergeant Waid.

"The private organization volunteers modeling the uniforms made it feel like a 'touch and go with the runways of the past' which has been the theme of the collection since it was started in 1997," he said.

The full collection has grown to 90 uniforms, plus other memorabilia items, thanks to donations including some from Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. Selecting a handful of uniforms and shipping them was handled by some key enablers back home -- Sergeant Waid's family.

Sergeant Waid's two teenage children, Andrew and Chelsey, were excited to help out. They handled the collection, took photos of selected uniforms, and packaged them for shipment. His wife also helped.

Capt. Jonathan Harmon, 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron operations flight commander, modeled the officer's white summer transition service dress uniform, which was in use until the 1970s.

"I feel the energy and the reception we received from everyone was great with a lot of cheering. People wanted to touch the uniform, take a lot of pictures and a few said it looked sharp," said the Mauldin, S.C., native. "It was a great experience to actually see Air Force history instead of just reading about it."

(Report by by Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.)

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