Posted on 03/06/2008 10:27:33 AM PST by gandalftb
In a move that could be the most enduring imprint of U.S. influence in the Arab world, American military officials in Baghdad have begun a crash program to outfit the entire Iraqi army with M-16 rifles.
The initiative marks a sharp break for a culture steeped in the traditions of the Soviet-era AK-47 Kalashnikov assault rifle, a symbol of revolutionary zeal and third-world simplicity that is ubiquitous among the militaries of the Middle East.
"We in the U.S. know that the M-16 is superior to the AK ... it's more durable," said Army Col. Stephen Scott, who's in charge of helping the Iraqi army get all the equipment it needs to outfit its forces.
"The Iraqis have embraced that ... and the fact that it is U.S. manufactured and supplied. They are very big on U.S.-produced [foreign military sales] materials," he said in an interview with military bloggers this month.
So far, the U.S. military has helped the Iraqi army purchase 43,000 rifles - a mix of full-stock M-16A2s and compact M-4 carbines. Another 50,000 rifles are currently on order, and the objective is to outfit the entire Iraqi army with 165,000 American rifles in a one-for-one replacement of the AK-47.
"Our goal is to give every Iraqi soldier an M-16A2 or an M-4," Scott said. "And as the Iraqi army grows, we will adjust."
Scott added the mass of AK-47s from various manufacturers floating through the Iraqi army's inventory could cause maintenance and reliability problems. Getting both U.S. and Iraqi forces on the same page when it comes to basic weaponry is part of the argument for M-16 outfitting.
"I'm also a fan of AKs," Scott said. "But keep in mind most of these AKs have been sitting around in bunkers or whatnot for 30 or 40 years [and] are in various stages of disrepair."
A variety of U.S. troops, including SEALs, Marines and Soldiers - and even civilian contractors - are training Iraqis on the M-16 and M-4 throughout the country. One civilian trainer told Military.com during a brief interview in Iraq that the Iraqi soldiers are a little behind the average American trooper when it comes to learning the various parts and breakdown of the M-16, but they're enthusiastic and quick learners on the range.
After seeing some of the firing range training himself, Scott added that he "asked the Iraqis how they liked the weapon and they said it was far superior, it was more accurate ... and more reliable."
"I think the transition is almost transparent from those older AKs," he said.
A system that registers each rifle with the individual who receives it using biometric data such as thumb prints and eye scans is meant to address concerns over U.S. weapons winding up in enemy hands. A July 2007 Government Accountability Office report concluded that as many as 190,000 weapons delivered to the Iraqi army were not accounted for and could've wound up in terrorist caches.
That's something Scott isn't going to allow on his watch.
"These Iraqi soldiers know that this weapon becomes part of their person," he said. "And they also know that they are responsible and accountable for that weapon."
And from the looks of it, Iraqi soldiers aren't willing to hand them over to the bad guys.
"Most of the soldiers think they will be just like the Americans, and that is making them very happy," said Capt. Rafaat Mejal Ahmed, the Iraqi 1st Division weapons and ammunition officer, in a Marine Corps release. "They think the modern technology will make them more powerful."
So? Get a garden hose and wash of the big chunks of dirt, wipe them down with an oilcloth, and they're good to go for another 30 or 40 years.
What's the problem?
So much for theory. Read “Blackhawk Down”. The attackers were hit with multiple .223 rounds from the poodle-shooter and kept coming. The guys shot with the .308 went down and stayed down.
That lovely AK plywood, yeah. I filled in holes and cracks with JB Weld epoxy.
See # 30. An interesting take on the situation.
“”We in the U.S. know that the M-16 is superior to the AK ... it’s more durable,” said Army Col. Stephen Scott,”
LOL.. is that the punchline or the Joke!
Then go 6.8 for the M-16.
Oh. Never mind...
The Saiga .308 uses 7.62 Nato and can have high capacity magazines, it is made at Izhmash.... same place they make the ak 100 series
Nothing. It's being bought through FMS using Iraq's money.
Why a 6.8? Just curious.
One question: Who is paying the bill?
Iraqis going to the M-16/M-4 means that they want an army of shooters, not sprayers.
The problem with the M-16 has been the gas system - direct impingement. It gets hot and dirty and needs regular cleaning. There are ways to mitigate - by using a gas piston system. Bushmaster, Patriot Ordnance and one other company makes drop-in uppers. Stays cool, minimal maintenance.
Are we selling new or used weapons, I’ve heard we are going to transition to a new weapon for our forces.
And yet, 6 years into a shooting war and countless dead terrorists later, we continue to issue 556mm for individual weapons and light machineguns.
That's one impressive conspiracy, since apparently we've been at war all this time and have failed to notice 556 is ineffective.
Hopefully they are BUYING them from us. I wonder why they are doing this, the AK and it’s parts are so ubiquitous on the world market. Cheaper also.
Colonel Scott made a funny.....
L
Bushmaster sells 6.8SPC rifles now.
They also sell gas piston retrofit kits for $400.
My local SportsmansWarehouse had a "friends and family" night about 10 days ago. I was ready to stock up on .223 FMJ. There were no big boxes of 200 or 1000 rds. Just the premium hunting/varmint rounds with 20 per box at fairly high prices. Disappointing. I purchased some powder and primers. There wasn't any good deals on boxes of 55 gr FMJ bullets either.
I see why Bush invaded Iraq. It wasn’t cheap oil it was to sell weapons!!
How long will it be before you see this on DU?
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