It Is About Time

Commentary on a USA TODAY report by Tom Vanden Brook:

The Pentagon approved a 600% increase in production of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to protect soldiers from makeshift bombs in Iraq. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has made the vehicle the Pentagon's top priority. The MRAP's V-shaped hull and raised chassis are up to four times safer against the top threat to U.S. troops in Iraq — improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.

Gates said Friday he was pushing industry and the military to build MRAPs faster: "For every month we delay, scores of young Americans are going to die."

Soap Box Ravings notes that it took a change in the Secretary of Defense to get the equipment our troops need in Iraq

That recommendation followed a visit to Iraq by a high-level Army team to assess soldiers' needs and which vehicles would best fill them.

Soap Box Ravings wonders why there isn't a "high level team" on site in Iraq 24/7 to continuously ascertain troop needs.

"We're going to aggressively pursue maxing out production, definitely for '08," Sliwa said. "We're extensively testing the vehicle to ensure the soldier's very well protected."

FLASHBACK: Corps refused 2005 plea for MRAP vehicles

The Pentagon's move boosts the Army's MRAP total from the 2,500 the service had originally sought and the Pentagon's total commitment to almost 23,000 vehicles. That includes 3,700 for the Marines and 1,500 for other branches of the military.

The Pentagon's decision to build more MRAPs may encounter opposition from Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., who leads the committee that writes the defense budget.

Murtha said he wouldn't support more than $6 billion in MRAP spending for next year because contractors can't build the vehicles fast enough.

Soap Box Ravings notes that Representative Murtha is the "Marine" in Congress who wants the US out of Iraq. Basically, he is just another Democrat looking for ways to not support our troops in their mission.

The Army's bill for MRAPs next year would be $8.1 billion, according to a memo from Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren.

MORE: Army seeks $20B for protected vehicles

To meet the increased demand, the Pentagon awarded contracts to nine companies in January to develop and build vehicles for consideration for its MRAP program.

Since April 23, the Pentagon has awarded contracts worth about $1.6 billion to three companies to build 3,130 MRAPs, records show.

Last week, Australian television reported that Thales Australia would make 1,500 MRAPs for the Pentagon, although that has not been confirmed by the Defense Department.

Soap Box Ravings does not give a damn about what country manufactures these pieces of equipment as long as they are made to function in accordance with their specifications. These units are needed now, more troops will be killed or injured while these are being manufactured and tested. If any manufacturers have them "on the shelf" then they need to be procured from the shelf. The troops needs must come first.