New ABUs flying off shelves Published Sept. 17, 2007 By Corey Dahl 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Airmen from as far away as F.E. Warren and Buckley Air Force bases are flocking to Peterson for one thing - the new Airman Battle Uniform. The Military Clothing Sales Store here is one of only 13 in the nation currently selling the new uniform, and the store is having a hard time keeping them on the shelves. "Everybody wants to be the first to wear them," said Heather Garrison, a shift manager at the store. "If they're within driving distance, even if it's hours and hours, they'll come here." Peterson got its first shipment of ABUs - which will replace the current Battle Dress Uniform by 2011 - at the beginning of August. Demand was so high, the store's staff didn't even bother putting the uniforms on the shelves, Ms. Garrison said. "We just put all the boxes out on the floor, opened them and let people go for it," she said. "We were so busy." Eventually, demand outpaced supply. While the store has many women's sizes still available, men's sizes are limited at the moment. Airmen can put in orders for uniforms in their size, Ms. Garrison said, but it might be awhile until they receive anything. "We really weren't supposed to get the uniforms in until October, so we're actually ahead of schedule," Ms. Garrison said. "We don't really have any idea how fast we'll get the next shipments, though. It's just whenever the warehouse has some to send us." Senior Airman James Haga won't have to worry about waiting. Airman Haga, who works for the 21st Maintenance Operations Flight, got his new uniform the first day the ABUs arrived. He said he already likes the new outfit better than the old one. "It's wash and wear, so it just makes its a lot easier," he said. "It breathes a lot better without all that starch." Comment on this story.