As Iraq Clash Drags, More Armor, Fresh Food Needed (3-4 more yrs)

[papau]

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-arms-iraq-extendedstay.html

July 21, 2003
As Iraq Clash Drags, More Armor, Fresh Food Needed
By REUTERS



Filed at 3:27 p.m. ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - As hostilities in Iraq drag on, the Pentagon has slapped rush orders on supplies like body armor, air conditioning units and fresh food supplies for U.S. troops there, offering a glimpse into the changing role of the armed forces in the problem plagued nation. "We're going to be there for a long time," said Joel Moskowitz, chief executive officer at ceramic armor maker Ceradyne Inc. . The company on July 17 received a $7.1 million expedited order for more of its small arms protective inserts. "The war, no matter how you define it, is not over."

President Bush declared major hostilities ended on May 1 after the United States and its allies overthrew Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, but about 146,000 U.S. troops remain in the country to help stabilize the nation and build infrastructure. Many, who had expected to be home by now, have no clear idea of when their tour of duty will end. That means supplies must be replaced or altered to meet new requirements like the coming winter and protection against surprise attacks. At the same time, shipments of some products like ammunition and transportable food kits have slowed as troops have settled into established bases. The U.S. Air Force has found it needs more equipment to keep forces comfortable and has asked Engineered Support Systems Inc. to speed up production of its environmental control units that heat, cool and filter air. More than 11,000 have been ordered so far. At the same time, the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, which buys food, clothing, medicine and construction supplies for the military, has accelerated its purchasing of both summer and winter boots, according to spokesman Frank Johnson, who did not give specifics on orders, citing security.
Forces also required more socks, caps and underwear. "Now we're starting to buy extreme cold weather gear because it looks like, from what we're hearing, they're going to be (in Iraq) for a period of three to four years," said Johnson.<snip>

Even rarely-used equipment must be replaced. While there were no chemical attacks on U.S. and British troops during the Iraq war, and no chemical weapons have been found there, suppliers are still cranking out chemical-warfare suits to replace those that were sent originally, said Johnson. <Snip>
And while requirements of munitions have dropped with the slowdown of fighting, the DLA is buying stacks of lumber for rebuilding the battered country.

[NYC]

1. I'm glad they are finally thinking about supplies.

Possibly the soldiers will be made more comfortable and/or better fed.

[karlschneider]

2. I have to wonder where all the electricity for these air conditioners is

coming from.....
:eyes:

[pw]

3. They're buying lumber?

To ship to the middle of the desert and mountains?