Posted on 01/28/2009 9:18:56 PM PST by SandRat
TAJI, Iraq, Jan. 28, 2009 – Coalition members transferred the 4,000th armored Humvee to the Iraqi government Jan. 25 as part of a program to provide mission-capable Humvees to Iraqi security forces and on-the-job training to Iraqi mechanics.
The program, based at Camp Taji here, is managed by logistics personnel from Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq, with assistance from Army Materiel Command, Tank and Automotive Command, Multinational Corps Iraq and other coalition partners.
The program includes a complete refurbishment of Humvees for the Iraqi Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Bureau. The project employs more than 500 Iraqis with varying ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs.
The Humvees began arriving at the Retrograde Property and Assistance Team facility here in late 2007 for induction into the program, officials said. Production began in January 2008 with instruction and on-the-job training.
“Above all, this partnership demonstrates the cooperation between the U.S. government, our supporting contractors … and the [Iraqi government] to train and equip Iraqi security forces,” Army Col. Michael Sage, deputy chief of staff for the transition command’s logistics directorate, said.
The vehicles are refurbished to a mission-capable condition, then inspected by a joint U.S. and Iraqi team prior to transfer to the Iraqi government.
The first Humvees were fielded to the Iraqi army March 12. The production goals for the program included an initial delivery of 200 vehicles in March and 400 vehicles every month thereafter. The team is poised to reach its target of up to 8,500 Humvees by the end of 2009, officials said.
“It has been our pleasure to deliver over 4,000 Humvees to the [Iraqi government] in support of its security mission,” Robert Cini, a project manager, said. “The 522 Iraqi employees refurbishing the M1114 [Humvees] on this project are extremely proud of their contribution in keeping their streets and neighborhoods safe.”
(From a Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq news release.)
4000+ Humvees? Don’t they realize the carbon footprint they are leaving? Someone call Al Gore and have him fly in on his private jet and show them his movie “an inconvenient truth”.
Let me guess, were just giving them 4000 Humvees for free right? I’m really glad our economy is so strong we are able to do this.
I hope they let us know if there is anything else they need. As if we haven’t given enough already.
“Let me guess, were just giving them 4000 Humvees for free right?”
What? Did you expect to see them for sale on the back of comic books for $40?
Those days are gone.
You bet...Selling stuff Americans pay for are gone. In America, the government just gives it away, and forces the tax payer suckers to foot the bill.
“You bet...Selling stuff Americans pay for are gone. In America, the government just gives it away, and forces the tax payer suckers to foot the bill.”
Well, the space shuttles ARE for sale (and they aren’t packed in cosmoline either!
(BTW, just in case you missed my obscure ref... it was for the trusted war II surplus Jeeps that seemed to be advertised everywhere for $50 during the 50’s. Back then, they actually COULD be had for that price -and unlike X-ray glasses, were genuine)!
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