Bill would make sale of IFF gear illegal

[unhappycamper]

Bill would make sale of IFF gear illegal
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 20:17:38 EST

A Florida lawmaker wants to set strict requirements for the destruction of equipment and accessories used by the U.S. military to identify friendly forces.

Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla., has introduced legislation requiring the total destruction of infrared patches and other devices, and the bill would make it a crime to possess, sell or trade the so-called “Identification Friend or Foe” items.

Meek is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where his bill was referred for consideration. It is unlikely to be taken up this year because the committee traditionally wraps pending legislation into a single policy bill, and the opportunity to add new items into this year’s bill has expired.

“In the hands of our enemies, these patches could allow for infiltration in our ranks and expose our troops to unimaginable harm,” Meek said. “That is a nightmarish situation we cannot allow to occur.”

The bill, HR 4097, comes after new reports earlier this year that some special patches were sold as military surplus. When the government asked for the uniforms back, only a handful were recovered. Of about 4,800 uniforms sold with the patches, only about 350 were returned, Meek said.

No laws were broken because the uniforms — with patches attached — were legally purchased. Although buyers are required to return items if they are notified that the sale was in error, current law imposes no penalty if buyers do not comply.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/military_friendfoe_071113w/