WASHINGTON -- The Air Force will resume issuing leather flight jackets to its combat-ready fliers in an estimated $5 million effort to enhance esprit de corps, military officials say.
'The flight-jacket initiative was suggested by field commanders as a means of enhancing esprit within the combat-ready air crew force,' said Lt. Gen. Thomas Hickey, deputy chief of personnel for the Air Force.
'It is one of a number of efforts the Air Force is undertaking to improve air crew morale and retention.'
Hickey said Wednesday the service 'intends to renew the tradition' of issuing leather flying jackets that 'will be similar to the jackets issued to air crews during World War II' and similar to those worn by Naval aviators.
'Enhancing esprit' and the return to tradition will cost the taxpayer about $5 million, an Air Force spokesman said.
The jackets, estimated to cost $100 each, will be issued free to pilots and air crews on active duty and fliers in the Air National Guard and reserve, the spokesman said. They can be worn in the cockpit, or on or off base.
Regulations say the jackets, as well as other government-issue equipment, are to be returned if the fliers change jobs or leave the service, but the Air Force really doesn't expect to get them back.
'They're supposed to be turned back in,' the spokesman said. 'At least that's what the book says.'
Naval aviators never gave up the venerable jackets and have worn them for 60 years. But the Air Force stopped issuing leather jackets in 1948, shortly after it became a separate branch of the military, a spokesman said.
