National Guard units in 31 states say wars have left them with 60% or less of their authorized eqpmt

[babylonsister]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-06-15-guard-equipment_N.htm?csp=34

Guard running low on equipment

Heavy equipment from the Kansas National Guard moves in to aid with clean up efforts in Greensburg, Kan., on May 7, 2007, after a massive tornado obliterated the small Kansas town.
Enlarge image Enlarge By Orlin Wagner, AP

SHORTAGES

Percentage of equipment National Guard units have on hand for domestic emergencies:

• 50% or less: 18 states

• 51%-60%: 13

• 61%-70%: 6

• 81% or more: 4

• No report: 5

Source: USA TODAY research
By William M. Welch, USA TODAY

National Guard units in 31 states say four years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have left them with 60% or less of their authorized equipment, a USA TODAY review found.

Eighteen of those 31 states report having half or fewer of the vehicles, aircraft, radios, weapons and other items they are authorized to have for home-front uses, the 50-state review found.

CHART: How ready is your state's National Guard?

Guard leaders say the shortfalls raise concerns about whether some state units would be able to help other states as they did when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005.

"If the percentage of equipment (continues to fall), we may well be in the same situation as some of the other states in not being able to answer the call," Ohio National Guard spokesman Mark Wayda said.

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[havocmom]

1. How handy for the corporations that sell needed equipment

The neocon dog & pony show is all about sales.

[w8liftinglady]

2. HMMM

[havocmom]

3. there ya go again, proving that they turn blood into gold

Yeppers.