Army officer slams gear lag in Iraq

[For PaisAn]

Unacceptable and Inexcusable! That's all I have to say.

1)
Iraq Coalition Casualty Count: 659 (558 U.S.)

http://lunaville.org/warcasualties/Summary.aspx


2)
By RICHARD SISK
NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: [phone]; FAX: [phone]; DSN 651-5894

March 11, 2004
Release Number: 04-03-06C


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWO TF ALL AMERICAN SOLDIERS KILLED BY IED

Two Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team of Task Force All American were killed and another Soldier was injured when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device Thursday.

They were providing a convoy escort northeast of Habbiniyah.

The wounded soldier was medically evacuated to the 31st Combat Support Hospital and is in stable condition.

The soldiers’ names are being withheld pending next of kin notification. The incident is under investigation.

http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/Casualty_Report.asp?CasualtyReport=20040306.txt

3)
Army officer slams gear lag in Iraq
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON - A top U.S. field commander in Iraq vented his frustration yesterday at the Pentagon red tape that has kept Iraqi security forces from getting the gear they need to fight.
"If we had the equipment for these brave young men, we would be much farther along" in defeating the insurgents, said Army Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.

"We are still short a significant amount of vehicles, radios and body armor to properly equip them," said Swannack, whose 18,000 paratroopers will be replaced in the coming weeks.

...snip...

Swannack said he expected the equipment to arrive last November, but "November came around, and I was told this equipment would arrive in January. Now it's postponed till the end of March."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/story/172422p-150340c.html