General Reported Shortages In Iraq (87 billion bought what?)

[gulfcoastliberal]

The top U.S. commander in Iraq (news - web sites) complained to the Pentagon (news - web sites) last winter that his supply situation was so poor that it threatened Army troops' ability to fight, according to an official document that has surfaced only now.

The lack of key spare parts for gear vital to combat operations, such as tanks and helicopters, was causing problems so severe, Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez wrote in a letter to top Army officials, that "I cannot continue to support sustained combat operations with rates this low."

Senior Army officials said that most of Sanchez's concerns have been addressed in recent months but that they continue to keep a close eye on the problems he identified. The situation is "substantially better" now, said Gary Motsek, deputy director of operations for the Army Materiel Command.

Sanchez, who was the senior commander on the ground in Iraq from the summer of 2003 until the summer of 2004, said in his letter that Army units in Iraq were "struggling just to maintain . . . relatively low readiness rates" on key combat systems, such as M-1 Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, anti-mortar radars and Black Hawk helicopters.

http://tinyurl.com/56ays

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. What.... they didn't bring their own box cutters?? Shocking. n/t

[Out the Parasites]

2. It's more important to front money and supplies to Haliburton n/t

[HereSince1628]

3. It's all part of the Powell doctrine of CWA

If as a commander you don't have absolutely more than everything you think you might possibly need, and certainly a redundant stock of things you absolutely don't think you will need, then write memos and cover your ass.

Waging war with absolutely overwhelming force is a great dream. Commanders can enter combat guaranteed to win.

Reality isn't so kind.

So, General Sanchez the question is how well did you do with what you had? Did you make sure the "regulars" had equipment and material even if it meant putting the needs of the called up reserves on the back burner? The only reason I ask is because it sort of looks like he did.

Unfortunately the folks in the 5-sided global play-pen (full of toys from Wars-R-US) sent all those ill equipped and inadequately trained guard and reservists to do the job of a full-time fully equiped military...in the end the material that was available wasn't distributed equitably to all the troops out there in hostile territory.

[Moderator]

4. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=911903


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