Iraqi Army Struggles to Master Logistics

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Iraqi Army Struggles to Master Logistics
February 26, 2009
Associated Press

TAJI, Iraq - There was the time the Iraqis spent millions of dollars on ammunition from Romania, only to discover that it was defective or didn't fit their U.S.- or Russian-made weapons. Or when the Iraqis bought portable kitchens which didn't work in the field.

The U.S. military has put in countless hours training Iraqi security forces in battlefield and police tactics.

But the Obama administration's apparent plans to withdraw combat troops by August 2010 - and the remaining servicemen by the end of the following year - has some commanders concerned about something else: Iraq's ability to equip and maintain its own forces.

"They are at the basic level. They can feed themselves. They can fuel themselves. They can arm themselves," said Australian Brig. Gen. David McGahey, who heads the U.S.-led task force aimed at helping the Iraqi armed forces fend for themselves after the eventual pull out.

But "giant gaps" remain in the Iraqi supply system, particularly a shortage of mechanics for vehicle maintenance and repairs, that may take "years and years" to close, he added.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/February-2009/iraqi-army-struggles-to-master-logistics.html?col=1186032310810