Iraq has not strained the resources of the NG, not as much

[HysteryDiagnosis]

as it could, but much more than you would think.




EQUIPMENT SHORTAGE: Demands of wars since 9/11 strain National Guard's efforts



WASHINGTON -- The National Guard's scramble to bring aid and order to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast is hamstrung by the fact that units across the country have, on average, half their usual amount of equipment -- helicopters, Humvees, trucks, and weapons -- on hand because much of it has been siphoned off to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to military officials and security specialists.

The equipment the Guard needs to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is in shorter supply because the gear is in use in combat zones, is battle-damaged, or has been loaned to cover gaps in other units, the officials said. The National Guard Bureau estimates that its nationwide equipment availability rate is 35 percent, about half the normal level, according to Pentagon statistics.

''In the four years since 9/11 that we have been at war, equipment has been beaten up, blown up, or simply left behind," said John Goheen of the National Guard Association of the United States. ''States have had to borrow equipment and make do with a lot less equipment. We are short literally thousands of Humvees."

[bemildred]

1. Logistics issues are far more important than mere numbers.

The guard has been hollowed out to feed the fires in Iraq.

[BootinUp]

2. can you add a link?

If its an online article... :)

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Oooh... sorry.... link

www.veteransforcommonsense.org