Salt Lake City, USA - A Mormon airman claims his Air Force commander threatened to kick him out of his entertainment unit unless he removed his sacred undergarments.
Airman First Class Andrew Howells of Salt Lake City says the commander complained that the garments, worn by observant Mormons, showed through his uniform.
Howells told the church-owned Deseret Morning News that he finds the situation ironic because he's in the military "to defend religion and freedom."
Mormons are instructed to wear the white garments, which are symbolic of purity, at all times and remove them only for very specific activities.
Utah Congressman Matheson has filed an inquiry on Howell's behalf with the Air Force Congressional Liaison Office.