Investigators find sensitive US military equipment on sale to civilians

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Investigators posing as private citizens bought sensitive military equipment that the US Defense Department was disposing of as surplus at a fraction of their cost, congressional auditors reported.

Among the items purchased were ceramic body armor inserts, two guided missile radar test sets, and a dozen digital microcircuits used in F-14 fighter aircraft, the Government Accountability Office said.

"GAO was able to purchase these items because controls broke down at virtually every step in the excess property turn-in and disposal process," it said in a report to Congress.

"GAO determined that thousands of military items that should have been demilitarized (destroyed) were sold to the public," it said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060725/ts_alt_afp/usmilitarysecurity_060725225128

[sinkingfeeling]

1. But the Pentagon needs the extra cash!

[Ezlivin]

2. These investigators need to be arrested - terrorists now know this info

Every time a fault in our DOD is found, another terrorist rejoices. We cannot admit to any mistakes at any time or else the terrorists have won.

[ChristianLibrul]

3. Pentagon yard sale

"Army surplus" has been big business since right after WWI, if not before. We kids would save up our grass-cutting money and beg one of our dads to take us to the "Army surplus" store from time to time. I still have WWII items I got in 1962: helmet, bayonet, belts, canteen, etc. Sadly, we never found any radar or fighter jet parts. Damn.