NY Times: Leaving Iraq Is a Feat That Requires an Army

[SpartanDem]

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — There is no more visible sign that America is putting the Iraq war behind it than the colossal operation to get its stuff out: 20,000 soldiers, nearly a sixth of the force here, assigned to a logistical effort aimed at dismantling some 300 bases and shipping out 1.5 million pieces of equipment, from tanks to coffee makers.

It is the largest movement of soldiers and matériel in more than four decades, the military said.

By itself, such a withdrawal would be daunting, but it is further complicated by attacks from an insurgency that remains active; the sensitivities of the Iraqi government about a visible American presence; disagreements with the Iraqis about what will be left for them; and consideration for what equipment is urgently needed in Afghanistan.

All the while, the Army must sustain its current force of about 124,000 troops across the country, trucking in fuel, food and other essential supplies while determining what to leave behind for the 50,000 troops who will remain in a mostly advisory role until 2011.
(snip)

A major reduction in troops is not scheduled to begin until after the January national elections. But preparations for that withdrawal can be seen on the roads across Iraq, with an average of 3,500 trucks a night traversing the nation on sustainment and redeployment missions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/world/middleeast/09pullout.html

[Nederland]

1. This demonstrates how ridiculous it was

...when DK claimed he had a plan to get all US soldiers out of Iraq in 90 days.

[SpartanDem]

2. Yeah 90 days is very unrealistic

it makes great campaign speech, but it's not a solid real world plan.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Not necessarily.

What is the cost of shipping a coffee maker halfway across the earth, to the cost of leaving it there and buying a new one when you get home?

A HUGE part of the materials being shipped back could just be turned over to the Iraqis, to their government and their military and police. Added benefit of leaving the motor pool behind? When they need replacement parts, they have to buy them from us.

From coffee makers to humvees, most of the equipment could be left to the government that we are financially supporting anyway. Why ship it back to the states when we will be sending them more of the same in another six months?

The ONLY things which must come back are major armaments which we will not be selling to the Iraqis, technologically sensitive hardware, computers, and of course the men and women we sent there. Everything else can be a write off.

[Nederland]

5. Agreed

The ONLY things which must come back are major armaments which we will not be selling to the Iraqis, technologically sensitive hardware, computers, and of course the men and women we sent there. And there isn't a general anywhere who will tell you that can be done safely in 90 days.

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. Nonsense.

Step 1) cease all aggressive operations. Pull all troops back into the bases. Turn all outlying posts and checkpoints over to the locals.

Step 2) pack your bags.

Step 3) get out.

If you are leaving most of your crap behind, it's just a matter of loading up the C-140s and leaving. As for 'safely' - I guarantee, the troops are a lot safer holed up on the bases than out on patrol. This is not a classic war where disengagement can create an opening for the other army to exploit.

[Nederland]

7. Well

I guess we should put you in charge.

My father-in-law is a Lieutenant Colonel in the army who works in logistics. He said flat out it's not possible. Just getting out all the M1xx tanks that are in Iraq would take a couple months, let alone all the other equipment.

[Bigmack]

4. Pretending for a moment that this is all true....

perhaps this might be a good time for the US to review the necessity for so many overseas adventures.

If it takes months or years to pull it out, maybe we shouldn't be in such a hurry to stick it in.

[SpartanDem]

8. Wow I'd think story about us preparing to leave

would garner a little bit more discussion