Search

Discusses how the U.S. Pentagon ended up with a shortage of armored vehicles for U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Response of U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld when questioned by a soldier regarding protective armor for military vehicles; Concerns among soldiers serving in Iraq and their families as the death toll has climbed; Reasons for the shortage of armored humvees; Outlook for speeding up the production cycle of vehicles with improved armor; Suggestion that the demand for armored vehicles in Iraq will keep rising.

Discusses how the U.S. Pentagon ended up with a shortage of armored vehicles for U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Response of U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld when questioned by a soldier regarding protective armor for military vehicles; Concerns among soldiers serving in Iraq and their families as the death toll has climbed; Reasons for the shortage of armored humvees; Outlook for speeding up the production cycle of vehicles with improved armor; Suggestion that the demand for armored vehicles in Iraq will keep rising.

Recounts an experience of a commander in a military operation in Iraq. Description of the situation in the country; Concerns of the commander regarding the military mission of his infantry and armor platoons; Tactical approaches employed by the commander to overcome the problems; Role of military officers in mobilizing military operation.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues. "Time for a Change," which focused on the importance of gunnery doctrine and training for the armor community; "Task Force Death Dealers: Dismounted Combat Tankers," and "A Company Commander's Thoughts in Iraq," which discussed the military operations in Iraq; "Musings of an Armor Officer," which discussed combat training.

Reports that United States Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was questioned by soldiers about the lack of vehicle armor provided for U.S. armed forces in Kuwait and Iraq. Question asked by Specialist Thomas Wilson of the Tennessee National Guard; Statement made by Rumsfeld that the soldiers' biggest danger was improvised explosive devices; Report that Rumsfeld is responsible for cutting the funding for armor in order to make the armed forces lighter and more deployable.

The articles reports on the need for workers in Iraq to wear camouflage body armor for their safety. It explains the reason why employees need the body armor. It is noted that body armor manufacturers were only selling to the U.S. Defense Department. Details on the dangers being faced by contractors in Iraq are presented. It explains the way companies in the U.S. hire workers that will be deployed in Iraq. It is revealed that many paperworks must be accomplished by companies before deploying employees in Iraq.

Reports on the complaints made by the families of those serving in Iraq regarding the lack of adequate protection including bulletproof vests. How a helicopter which was shot down did not have antimissile system.

The article reports that the Seabees of 30th U.S. Naval Construction Regiment provided the 2nd Marine Tank Battallion with an armor upgrade on May 1, 2007 to aid keep gunners safe during their operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. The armor helps protect gunners against improvised explosive device shrapnel. The shield, composed primarily of ballistic-grade glass and steel, is designed to fasten through existing bolt holes in the tank.

This article reports that the central issue facility (CIF) of the U.S. Army at the Kirkush Military Training Base (KMTB) in Iraq has been tasked with equipping two divisions of the Iraqi Army with weapons, vehicles, communications equipment, and individual gear such as uniforms, boots, body armor, and hygiene kits. The KMTB CIF, located 56 miles northeast of Baghdad, is one of four such facilities that are operated by the U.S. Army's Multinational Security Transition Command in Iraq. In a recent 1-month period, the six-man team at the KMTB CIF issued over 25,000 uniforms, 12,586 pairs of boots and 4,997 sets of body armor.

The improvised explosive devices (IEDs) being used against troops in Iraq pack far more of a wallop. Fortunately, the many soldiers who have crossed paths with Iraqi IEDs have been clad in armored jackets, and have had fast access to medical treatment. Estimating casualties is as basic to the combat equation as estimating ammunition. By the war in Afghanistan, the ratio of wounded to killed improved to about 3-to-1. Most of the 125,000 combatants stationed in Iraq have been issued Kevlar helmets and Kevlar vests with pockets that hold ceramic plates. And, from what military surgeons report, the armor seems to be working. The current generation of body armor, which was designed to withstand a blast from hand grenade fragments, is simply outgunned.

The article highlights the 2006 Armor Warfighting Symposium held in the U.S. A number of master gunners participated in the event which included a master gunner subject-matter expert (SME) panel and a branch update. The SME panel discussed topics such as pre- and post-deployment training, maintenance of gunnery proficiency in Iraq, and the role of a master gunner in counterinsurgency operations.

Deals with the call from several U.S. legislators for the Defense Department to enhance its troop protection initiatives as the Iraq mission and U.S. casualties continue as of 2005. Force protection proposals from several legislators; Development of a functional armored pants by the Army and the Marine Corps; Importance of the role of the Iraqis in defeating the insurgency.

The article presents information about Bradley fighting vehicles. The vehicles in Iraq are racking up a normal year's mileage in a single month in addition to carrying heavy loads such as reactive armor. The transmission is taking the brunt of this punishment and needs special care.

Interviews Frank Lanza, CEO of military technology provider L-3 Communications Holdings, regarding the lessons from the Iraq War for the U.S. military. Mistakes done by the U.S.; Efforts of L-3 to train U.S. forces; Training provided by the company to the Iraqi militia; Controversy on the lack of armor in Iraq.

Provides information on the life of U.S. soldiers deployed in Iraq. Limitation on the use of cellular telephone; Restriction from having sex; Problems with armor plating.

The article presents information on the combat from Iraq. Drawing on the experience of the first Stryker Brigades assigned to combat in Iraq, the Army is revamping its plans for the future of high-mobility warfare. Although it is generally pleased with the performance of the Stryker armored vehicle featured on the cover of our February 2001 issue, the Pentagon wants future vehicles to have more powerful weapons and more versatile communications systems. Combined with new Joint Tactical Radio Systems, the guns will enable commanders to engage targets from farther away. Future Strykers also will have stronger, lighter armor. The armor plate on these is insufficient to protect crews from improvised explosive devices made from antitank munitions.

Discusses the weapons frequently seen on the streets of Baghdad, Iraq in 2003. How weapons like AK-47s are handed out by the Iraqi government to militia groups; Statement that if the U.S. attacks, insurrection or chaos may ensue; Civilian fears that a United States attack will prompt Kurdish peshmerga warriors to come down from the mountains and overrun the town of Bashika; How Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has turned anti-war demonstrations into propaganda that supports his regime; Preparations being made by Iraqi civilians and the Red Cross.

In its 23-year history, Clifton Steel Co. has provided ballistic-resistant steel for tanks and other military vehicles. But when the steel fabricating and processing company last fall began supplying armor kits for military Humvees, business started growing rapidly, prompting a hiring binge and a move this summer to a much larger address. Clifton Steel has undergone big changes during the last two months to keep pace with the growing demand for the alloy steel panels it produces for military units deployed to Iraq. Half of Clifton Steel's business comes from manufacturing wear-resistance parts for heavy machinery such as auto shredders, as well as components for the rail and waste handling industries.

Reports that Oshkosh Truck Corp. received a contract to manufacture armor upgrade kits for hundreds of Marine Corps trucks that are deployed in Iraq.