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More Armor Urged for U.S. Forces in Iraq
The Washington Post ^
| April 28th, 2004
| Josh White
Posted on 04/27/2004 10:13:10 PM PDT by neverdem
As insurgents continue to use improvised bombs to attack U.S. military vehicles in Iraq, officials are growing increasingly concerned that the lack of heavy armored vehicles is putting U.S. forces at risk.
Defense officials said yesterday they are working to increase the number of armored Humvees for Operation Iraqi Freedom but said the 2,000 specially armored trucks there account for only half the Army's estimated requirements. Standard Humvees, considered utility vehicles similar to jeeps, are too vulnerable to attack, officials said.
Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said yesterday that every armored Humvee in the inventory has been sent to Iraq and more are being built. In a Pentagon briefing, Myers said the enemy's changing tactics have highlighted the need to shore up transport vehicles.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: armor; bushknew; humvees; iraq; somalia; somalia2; wesaspen
1
posted on
04/27/2004 10:13:10 PM PDT
by
neverdem
To: neverdem
I don't know why the don't use the old M113 or better yet upgrade it like the Israelis.
IDF M-113 Upgrading Program
There was a Military officer on TV (Fox as I recall) that said the M113 would be a lot more survivable than the Hummer.
To: neverdem
Sorry for posting this here..But I heard this song, and thought of our service members doing our biddngs overseas..
Oh, my baby, when you're older
Maybe then you'll understand
You have angels that dance around you shoulders
'Cause at times in life you need a helping hand
Oh, my baby, when you're prayin'
Leave your burden by my door
You have Jesus standing by your bedside
To keep you calm, keep you safe,
Away from harm
Worry not my daughers,
Worry not my sons
Child, when life don't seem worth livin'
Come to Jesus and let Him hold you in His arms
Oh, my baby, when you're cryin'
Never hide your face from me
I've conquered hell and driven out the demons
I have come with a life to set you free
Worry not my daughers,
Worry not my sons
Child, when life don't seem worth livin'
Come to Jesus and let Him hold you in His arms
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, my baby, when you're dying
Believe the healing of His hand
Here in Heaven we will wait for your arrival
Here in Heaven you will finally understand
Here in Heaven we will wait for your arrival
Here in Heaven you will finally understand
Worry not my daughers,
Worry not my sons
Child, when life don't seem worth livin'
Come to Jesus and let Him hold you in His arms
God Bless our troops...
Stay safe Marines; no need to ask to do us proud; that's a given.
(author of the song is Mindy Smith)
To: Anti-Bubba182
Thanks for the link. Didn't the M113's driver have a school trained MOS? I'm not saying it can't be done with "on the job training".
4
posted on
04/27/2004 10:37:45 PM PDT
by
neverdem
(Xin loi min oi)
To: neverdem
5
posted on
04/27/2004 10:38:49 PM PDT
by
Reagan is King
(The modern definition of 'racist' is someone who is winning an argument with a liberal.)
To: neverdem
I don't know about the MOS, but the Military had a lot of the 113s and I think there are quite a few people around that can still operate them.
As the striker was being developed there was a big controvery as to whether they should upgrade the 113s rather than make Strykers. One of the arguments was that there were many 113s and people who knew how to operate and repair them.
To: Reagan is King
Thanks for the link.
7
posted on
04/27/2004 11:12:41 PM PDT
by
neverdem
(Xin loi min oi)
To: neverdem; Ragtime Cowgirl; blackie; Calpernia; archy; Ranger; NormsRevenge
Thanks for posting this item.
Be sure and see Link at post #5.
8
posted on
04/27/2004 11:20:03 PM PDT
by
Ernest_at_the_Beach
(The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got!!!!)
To: Reagan is King
Thanks, good info. :)
9
posted on
04/27/2004 11:29:49 PM PDT
by
skinkinthegrass
(Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you :)
To: neverdem
More AC-130s Please!
10
posted on
04/27/2004 11:32:10 PM PDT
by
F14 Pilot
(John ''Fedayeen" Kerry - the Mullahs' regime candidate)
To: neverdem
There's been a lot of prancing and posturing about this,but,from what I understand,adding more armor means the suspension has to be rebuilt,etc.,etc.,and the failure rate goes up.
Odd ! I never hear of anyone demanding the original Jeep be armored up,but maybe that was because the Presidents in office in WWII,Korea,and the beginning of the Vietnam war were all Democrats. Could there be a connection ?
Naaah.
11
posted on
04/28/2004 4:54:26 AM PDT
by
genefromjersey
(So little time - so many FLAMES to light !!)
To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democ
rats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!
~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~
12
posted on
04/28/2004 8:36:22 AM PDT
by
blackie
(Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
To: neverdem
Would someone tell these guys that the HUMVEE is NOT an AFV? It is a utility truck, a replacement for the Jeep.
I was a tank commander in "Nam with the 1st Bde of the 5th Mech Inf. After initial skepticism the brass found out that heavy armor, such as 53 ton M48A3 medium tanks and light armor like M113 ACAV's could operate quite effectively in Vietnam, due in large measure to the ingenuity and innovation of the ordinary G.I. and his leaders.
The kind of fighting going on in Fallujah cries out for coordinated tank-infantry teams that can reduce the sniper nests with relatively little risk for the ground pounding grunts. High explosive rounds from 120MM tank main guns provide on station pin point immediate artillery support under the direct control of the accompanying infantry. At present there is not even much rubble to impede AFV movement.
WE did a pretty good job with tank infantry teams in Hue in '68.
13
posted on
04/28/2004 7:28:31 PM PDT
by
DMZFrank
(Colorado Springs, Co)
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