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Iraqi terrain, weather take toll on US forces
Washington, Sept 14: As the guerrilla warfare in Iraq shows no sign of abating, the costs of fighting the war are increasing because of the hostile terrain and harsh weather conditions which are proving a greater strain on the Americans than Saddam Hussein`s armies which were defeated in short order.
Washington, Sept 14: As the guerrilla warfare in Iraq shows no sign of abating, the costs of fighting the war are increasing because of the hostile terrain and harsh weather conditions which are proving a greater strain on the Americans than Saddam Hussein's armies which were defeated in short
order.
A typical example given by the pentagon is the wear and tear on Bradley fighting vehicles' track. Normally, a Bradley gets new treads once a year, after about 800 miles. But in Iraq, the 600 odd Bradleys there are trudging 1,200 miles a month, running security escorts which were not expected after US President George W Bush proclaimed that "major combat operations have ended."
Bradleys in Iraq now need new tracks every 60 days at USD 22,576 per vehicle.
As many as a third of the Bradleys patrolling the dangerous "sunni belt" are out of commission, reports the 'Washington Post'. The production for new tracks was being stepped up while the army is running three shifts a day, seven days a week, rebuilding old tracks at the red river army depot in Texas.
But workers are still three months behind the army's demands, the post reported adding that tracks are being flown to Baghdad as fast as they can be made, then apportioned to the units that need them most.
Bradleys in Iraq now need new tracks every 60 days at USD 22,576 per vehicle.
As many as a third of the Bradleys patrolling the dangerous "sunni belt" are out of commission, reports the 'Washington Post'. The production for new tracks was being stepped up while the army is running three shifts a day, seven days a week, rebuilding old tracks at the red river army depot in Texas.
But workers are still three months behind the army's demands, the post reported adding that tracks are being flown to Baghdad as fast as they can be made, then apportioned to the units that need them most.
Bureau Report