To meet goal, DOD must send nearly 370 MRAPs per month to Iraq

[babylonsister]

To meet goal, DOD must send nearly 370 MRAPs per month to Iraq
By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Online edition, Wednesday, October 3, 2007

U.S. Air Force personnel prepare to load Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles onto a C-5 Galaxy assigned to the 436th Air Wing, Dover, Air Force Base (AFB), Del. at Charleston AFB, S.C., in August.


Jason Robertson / USAF


ARLINGTON, Va. — The Defense Department has to send nearly 370 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles per month to Iraq in order to meet its goal for 2007.

That is almost four times the number of vehicles the Pentagon was able to send to Iraq in September.

Known as MRAPs, the vehicles have V-shaped hulls that deflect blasts from underneath. They have proven to hold up better against roadside bombs than up-armored Humvees.

The Defense Department originally hoped to send 3,500 MRAPs to Iraq this year, but later revised that estimate to 1,500.

As of Oct. 2, about 390 MRAPs have been sent to Iraq so far this year, said Defense Department spokeswoman Cheryl Irwin.

Industry delivered 365 MRAPs to the government in September, but U.S. Transportation Command flew just 101 of the vehicles to Iraq that month, Irwin said.

more...

http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49255

[Buzz Clik]

1. I've got an idea for protecting our soldiers: let's bring them home.

[babylonsister]

2. That is my idea, too. But this is ridiculous! I guess no one else has

that idea. :-(

[Buzz Clik]

3. We've already seen the amazing adaptability of the insurgents.

How long will it be before the first MRAP is blown apart and all inside are killed?

[babylonsister]

4. What's the rush? So many in so short a time, while they have the money?

I don't know, but it stinks. And you're right, it's just a matter of time...