Troops in Iraq to get fire-resistant uniforms (Citizens Started First)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-12-14-safer-uniforms_x.htm?csp=34

Flame-resistant uniforms will be standard issue for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by early 2007, Pentagon officials say. More than 160,000 suits made of the flame-retardant fabric NOMEX will be sent to combat zones, said Thomas Edwards, assistant deputy chief of staff for Army logistics.

The Pentagon moved quickly, Edwards said, because Iraqi insurgents are using homemade bombs and targeting the fuel tanks of vehicles. The bombs, called improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, are the top killer of U.S. troops in Iraq.

"Guys in the area of operations said, 'Give us all the fireproof uniforms you can find and then kick up production,' " Edwards said.

After receiving the Army's request Sept. 21, the Pentagon shipped 70,000 suits by Oct. 13 to outfit troops who patrol outside U.S. bases, Edwards said. It will cost about $70 million for the uniforms, hoods and gloves.

<snip>

Margo Hughey, a 68-year-old grandmother from Columbus, Ind., said she has raised $2,000 to buy the suits for troops after learning of attacks with diesel-soaked explosives from relatives serving in Iraq. She and friend April Johnson, 41, also contacted Indiana's two senators — Republican Richard Lugar and Democrat Evan Bayh — because they did not believe the Pentagon had acted quickly enough.

[Botany]

1. Betya the are real cool in the desert.

Because the bad guys blow up our gas tanks they all have to wear flame resistant
uniforms? How about admitting that Iraq was a mistake and getting out?

[Cocoa]

2. Halliburton unloading some of their leftover asbestos?

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Poor bastards,

Nomex will help save lives from burns, but heat exhaustion is alraedy a problem... truly a faustian choice.

For the record I wore nomex for ten years and IT IS HOT... and I did not have to wear the rest of the crap these guys and gals have to put up with