I think I took an interest in the following report because I was stationed on the U.S. military’s largest logistical base in Iraq during my deployment.  The base was a well oiled machine of supplies, troops, and equipment.  If the U.S. military knows how to do one thing, it’s logistics.  Moving equipment fast and with efficiency.

Logistics is something most people consider a secondary concern for a military but in reality, the supply corp is the heart of any military.  I was honestly a little shocked, when reading about the Iraqi logistical problem.  I assumed this would be a top priority of the coalition forces when prepping the Iraqi military to stand on it’s own two feet.

Apparently, we’re leaving this challenge for the Iraqis to figure out for themselves:

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.

[...]

“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.

Other challenges, commanders say, is a lack of modern technology to track parts and services. Iraq uses an antiquated paperwork system.

[...]

The Iraqis had long depended on American logistics and supplies as their main lifeline in the fight against militants and their own struggles to rebuild.

Since late last year, however, the U.S. has stopped fueling and feeding the Iraqis.

“We are not giving them parts. We are not giving them fuel. We are not fixing it for them,” said Army Col. Ed Dorman, who works on logistics and supply for Multi-National Corps Iraq.

And a larger problem besides an antiquated record keeping system and shortages in technical repairmen is the corruption:

The Iraqi army pays its brigade commanders a weekly cash stipend to feed troops. The U.S. military has praised the program for putting money back into Iraqi communities.

But reports have surfaced of some commanders putting dozens of soldiers on leave every week to pocket unspent money.

“They get the same amount of money if they have 25 people there or 50 people there,” said the military official.

Please read the complete article here.