Upkeep of ABDUs

PS: The Preventive Maintenance Monthly, Jan, 2005

Aviation folks, take a close look at your aviation battle dress uniforms (ABDUs). Does the fabric look tattered and worn out?

If it does, the thermal protection the ABDUs provide has been reduced, too. Have your aviation life support officer determine if your ABDUs still meet serviceability requirements or whether they should be condemned.

ABDUs will be condemned when they no longer present an acceptable military appearance from the standpoint of structural integrity. That means they are too thin to provide thermal protection from an external flame source.

Rips and tears in the fabric or seams should be repaired like it says in Chapter 22 of TM 10-8400-201-23. Ripped or torn ABDUs should be condemned if they are unrepairable or if the number of patches needed reduces the military of the ABDUs.