US tests military exit routes out of Iraq

[laststeamtrain]

Source: AP

US tests military exit routes out of Iraq
By CHELSEA J. CARTER, Associated Press Writer 2 hrs 27 mins ago

BAGHDAD – The American military is shipping battlefield equipment through Jordan and Kuwait, testing possible exit routes in advance of a U.S. withdrawal in Iraq, military officials said.

The convoys — carrying armored vehicles, weapons and other items — mark the Pentagon's first steps in confronting the complex logistics of transporting the huge arsenal stockpiled in Iraq over nearly six years.

It's also part of a wider assessment, ordered by U.S. Central Command, to decide what items the military can transfer, donate, sell or toss away once a full-scale withdrawal is under way, Marine Corps and Army officials told The Associated Press.

"Because they are starting to see a potential reduction of forces, they are looking to get more stuff out," Terry Moores, the deputy assistant chief of staff for logistics for Marine Corps Central Command, said Saturday.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090221/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_exit_routes_2

[Optical.Catalyst]

1. The quicker we exit Iraq, the better

The lives of American soldiers and America's prestige in international relations are more important than value of most of the equipment in Iraq. The accountants should draw the line at a certain dollar amount for replacement costs then ship home the items above the line, and abandon or destroy what ever is below the line.

Now is not the time to debate prolonging this war over the cost of material things, now is the time to withdraw from Iraq for good.

[Thothmes]

2. Until you are taxed to replace that equipment that

was left in Iraq. The current president is not going to just turn around an run out. He will take the time necessary to do to everyones best interests.

[Optical.Catalyst]

3. You can write the letter to last soldier's mother who dies waiting for equipment to be withdrawn

The military can use some of the money they are spending on Strategic Missile Defense to cover the cost of thing left in Iraq.

[Thothmes]

4. that letter will be the responsibility of the current president of the

United States. He will be the one that decides how that money is to be spent.