In a Logistical Ballet, U.S. Is Bringing In Fresh Forces to Iraq

[Rose Siding]

KUWAIT, Jan. 5 — In long neat rows, as far as one can see, hundreds of American armored personnel carriers, artillery pieces, trucks and other machines of war are parked at this sprawling port, ready to load onto transport ships for the trip home from the conflict in Iraq.

To make room for their new cargo, each of the 900-foot vessels pulling into berths here must first disgorge more than 1,400 Bradley fighting vehicles, Humvees and other replacement equipment that will soon roll north.

More than 240,000 soldiers and marines are to move into and out of Iraq from now to May, testing the military's ability to handle a major logistical feat while battling the Iraqi insurgency. From remote camps in northern Iraq to the port here, this swapping of forces amounts to the United States military's largest troop rotation since World War II.

It is a movement of hundreds of convoys synchronized by computerized programs that monitor a two-way flow of tanks, trucks and other equipment. Remote sensors track the day-by-day progress of matériel from the moment it leaves bases in Iraq to the time it rolls into predetermined parking spaces aboard one of the giant seven-story cargo ships now arriving here — as well as the other way around.

"It's kind of like a ballet with the Green Bay Packers," said Brig. Gen. Jack Stultz, a senior Army logistician here. He is responsible for orchestrating the movements of what will be as many as 3,000 vehicles a day along an 800-mile stretch into and out of Iraq.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/11/international/middleeast/11TROO.html

[Mikimouse]

1. Hmmm, bet the Packers really appreciate that mental image

n/t

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. ? ? Masters of clusterf_cks orchestrating a "ballet" ? ? - ya, right ! !

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n/t

[lebkuchen]

3. There goes America's future

both in body and booty. Try to imagine the costs.

[daleo]

4. Logistical ballet

Who dreams up these phrases?

[teryang]

5. The strategic core of American ground forces

...committed to a remote vulnerable corner of Asia. Are we secure yet?

[4dsc]

6. As they said in Shawshank redemption

Fresh meat, fresh meat!!! Poor cannot fodder!!

[GRClarkesq]

7. What if none actually leave

presto - Syrain invasion force.

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. "What if none actually leave" - crossed my mind also -

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. . I mean, I'm sure than at least ONE of de hawks in th WH thought

"Gee - we have TWICE as many troops over there now. Let's do another "shock n awe" while we have the Manpower" ??

I mean a "failure" of the "ballet" to get the tired guys out. . .

well , that would be believable, no ?

The BFEE's everchanging so-called "strategy" is open for one more "modification" - no?

So, a failure to "Bring 'em all home" wouldn't suprize me - -