LSA Anaconda (which is an Army run base, with Army rules) houses Balad AB. The AF falls under Army rules while operating at Balad. The reflective belt rule is imposed by the Army and applies to everyone (Army, AF, KBR, contractors, civilians, etc) who is at the base. There is an exception for AF members wearing AF PT gear now, which has reflective material in it. Truly, there's not much of a threat at Balad from snipers/enemy activity where the wear of a reflective belt would put you in any greater degree of danger. You really do stand a bigger chance of being hit by a bus than a mortar. I actually would've come pretty close to running over an army guy recently had he not been wearing the belt. The rule sounds kind of dumb on the surface, but it's not bad. I've seen people waste a ton of time and energy on fighting the system when it comes to reflective belts, floppy caps, nametags, black fleece jackets, the two piece flight suit, the electronic mission planning folder, etc etc etc and the result is always the same. It's much easier to take the pill, wear the belt, find another jacket, and focus on flying the mission. Just b/c someone else's focus isn't always on the mission doesn't mean yours can't be. I always counseled my crew to save the complaints for the important stuff that we can change, not the little crap that really doesn't matter. Cry "wolf" too many times and the powers that be stop listening altogether.