Iraqis lack basics of battlefield supply

[jody]

Iraqis lack basics of battlefield supply

"Logistics remains the Achilles' heel of the Iraqi ground forces," said a commission chaired by retired Marine Corps Gen. James Jones. The commission's report, released Thursday, said U.S. and coalition forces often have to make sure the Iraqis have enough fuel even though the Iraqis took over responsibility for fuel distribution months ago.

The Iraqis don't take care of their equipment - preventive maintenance is an "alien concept," the report said. A depot in Taji, 20 miles north of Baghdad, is stocked with vehicles, ammunition, boots and uniforms, yet the commission heard frequently of Iraqi troops being unable to get the gear.

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When Iraqi vehicles and weapons break down, handwritten repair requests are shuttled through a cumbersome and time-consuming approval process. Private Iraqi contractors are used heavily for repairs and parts.

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While Iraq's logistics needs are not as great, they're no less important. Nonetheless, the Jones commission cautioned against imposing solutions that an Iraqi bureaucracy simply won't accept.