This is a *vintage utility OG-507 fatigue shirt that was issued and worn by a soldier serving in the USAF Tactical Air Command, during the Vietnam War, in the 1970s.
World War II showed the effectiveness of tactical air power in supporting army ground forces. However, its rapid demobilization in late 1945 meant that the huge air offensives that had brought Germany to her knees and victory in Europe had been downsized to a shadow of its former self. Following the end of World War II, Headquarters United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) had little funding and most wartime personnel had been released from active duty and returned to civilian life.
A major realignment of the USAAF was undertaken in early 1946. As part of the realignment, three major command divisions within the Continental United States (CONUS) were formed: Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Command, and Air Defence Command. Tactical Air Command (TAC) was formed to command, organize, equip, train and administer assigned or attached forces. It was to plan for and participate in tactics for fighter, light bombardment and other aircraft. These included tactical fighters, tactical bombers, tactical missiles, troop carrier aircraft, assault, reconnaissance, and support units. TAC also planned for and developed the capability to deploy tactical striking forces anywhere in the world.
During its existence, Tactical Air Command deployed personnel, material and/or aircraft to Asia (both Pacific Rim/Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia/Middle East), Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Australia in support of its prescribed mission.
TAC pilots and support personnel found themselves deployed to places like Da Nang AB and Phan Rang AB in South Vietnam and Takhli RTAFB and Korat RTAFB in Thailand. Initially, TAC began deploying squadrons of F-100 Super Dabre, RF-101 Voodoo and F-105 Thunderchief aircraft to these overseas installations under the reconnaissance of PACAF. As the American effort in Southeast Asia increased, TAC used a process of deploying squadrons to PACAF-operated bases in South Vietnam and Thailand, with the squadrons being attached temporarily on rotational deployments or being permanently reassigned to the PACAF wing.
For the next decade, TAC would be consumed by operations in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. On a daily basis, flight crews trained by TAC would hurl themselves and their planes at targets across the area of operations, to include over the skies of North Vietnam. As the command responsible for training aircrews for overseas duty, TAC maintained Readiness Training Units in the United States to train pilots and other aircrew members for fighters, reconnaissance and troop carrier (redesignated tactical airlift after 1 July 1966) squadrons in the Pacific.
OG-507s quickly replaced its predecessor the OG-107 (1952 - 1975), when it first gained popularity in the mid 1970s, and were widely adopted across the different divisions and units across the US Army and USAF. Part of its charm stemmed from the fact that its poly-cotton make was crease-free whereas their OG-107s predecessors had to be ironed and starched all the time to rid off the creases.
Vietnam War Issue (1955 - 1975)
Rank : Techical Sergeant E-6
Command : Tactical Air Command (USAF)
Occupation : Security Police
Size: 15 1/2 Regular x 33
MEASUREMENTS
* This item is a vintage fatigue/uniform and whilst not brand new, is in very good used condition. Do check measurements provided to ensure best fit, as some of these fatigues have been altered slightly by the servicemen who wore them.
