Gear galore left in Iraq as last troops pull out

The Washington Times ^ | 12/15/11 | Rowan Scarborough

[Evil Slayer]

If the U.S. military held a yard sale, the rummaging would look a lot like what has been going on in Iraq.

Troops are leaving a bounty of leftovers as they exit the country this month, abandoning dining-hall tables and chairs, tents, air conditioners and old vehicles.

Unlike a traditional American yard sale, the military bric-a-brac is free. The stuff likely would be dumped back home. For an Iraqi force moving into once-bustling U.S. bases, the accouterments are just the thing to make the soldier’s life a little more comfortable as he takes on the full load of fighting insurgents against the government.

The State Department, which inherits the lead U.S. role in Iraq on Jan. 1, also is accepting hand-me-downs, such as armored vehicles and surveillance electronics to protect its turf.

“We’ve gone through a very extensive review process to determine what we need to take back to the United States, what gets reconditioned, what we can afford to transfer to the State Department, or to state and local governments back in the United States, or to the Iraqi government,” said ArmyMaj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, the top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq.

“It’s really the leftover things we’ve transferred to the Iraq government.”

The command estimates that it has bequeathed to the Iraqi government more than 4 million pieces of this and that, valued at $580 million. However, the military is saving more than $1 billion in shipping costs.

Here is some of what Iraq is getting when it assumes control of all U.S. bases:

• Containerized housing units, air conditioners and gym equipment.

• Generators, water and fuel tanks, cars and stoves.

• Tables, washers and dryers, portable chemical toilets; and large, portable concrete walls and barriers.

[Explorer89]

Iraq to US: “ you will receive no payment now.”

[Iron Munro]

Is it Vietnam yet?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Cluster-blank.

[RetiredArmy]

We left billions and billions behind in Vietnam after the war. Suppose to supply the South with equipment to fight. All of it fell into North Vietnam’s hands AND the Russians and Chinamen to check it all out.

[Iron Munro]

What Happens To The Dogs When Wars End?

Nearly 4000 dogs served in Vietnam and saved up to 10,000 American servicemen through their scouting and sentry duties. When withdrawing from Vietnam in 1973, the military classified the dogs as surplus equipment to be left behind during evacuation.

Many dogs were left with South Vietnamese allies who were afraid of the dogs and didn't know how to handle them. Many of the dogs were euthanized, and many more perished at the hands of their inexperienced South Vietnamese handlers. Only a handful of Vietnam war dogs made it back to the United States.

Roughly 280 War Dogs got out of Vietnam alive (via the quarantine program) and reassigned to other U.S. military installations in different parts of the world. Despite their handlers pleading requests to ship them home.

Many handlers and trainers who worked with these dogs were traumatized by having to leave their faithful companions behind, stating that the dogs saved their lives and often did more work than they did.

War Dog Memorial

[RC one]

we left plenty in Vietnam when we “withdrew” too- enough to allow them to fight a war with the chicoms. dejavu

[RC one]

we left plenty in Vietnam when we “withdrew” too- enough to allow them to fight a war with the chicoms. dejavu

[Roccus]

I miss the Military Surplus stores of the 50’s. Good warm coats, jackets, socks and boots for winter... backpacks for bookbags... entrenching tools, cook kits and pup tents for camping...all at very reasonable prices.

[brivette]

I’ve thru the return process, it stinks.

[Mich Patriot]

I mention this as another possible reason for leaving stuff behind. My Fiancee’s son was seriously injured in Afghanistank (no typo) and learning to walk again in a Minneapolis hospital. When they shipped his stuff back, we were told to bag and dispose of (or burn) all clothing, and wipe everything else down completely with antibiotic wipes.

They apparently have some nasty arsed fungi over there that gets into EVERYTHING, including open wounds, making the healing process that much more of a challenge. Not sure about Iraq, bit is it much different from Afghanistank? I doubt it.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

I'm sure that Iran will love adding these items to their collection, along with out most top secret and technical intelligence drones they have in their possession.

[A_Tradition_Continues]

I believe we recently left some prime equipment in Iran recently. The Big Cheese was pleased.

[Mich Patriot]

Not sure about everywhere else, but we still have military surplus outlets in Michigan, and indeed they do sell some of the stuff you mention. A lot of the inventory is new stuff too, and I’m sure a lot of the stock is replicas rather than authentic. I assume the uniforms are real though, since much of it is used, and you can see where patches were removed.

[lacrew]

I fear when we leave Afghanistan. All those vehicles would have to go through Pakistan to get out. I hope the military has a warehouse full of thermite grenades, to destroy this stuff when Saigon...err..Kandahar falls.

[whd23]

while I agree that it would be silly to ship the stuff home... you would think it would of been smart to just drive the stuff a few miles across the border into where they will be based now in Afghanistan.

Iraq and Afghanistan don't share a border. Do you suppose Iran will allow us to convoy across their country?

[Lazamataz]

That was actually a little gross.

And I'm very hard to gross out.

[Roccus]

We used to have a ton of them in NYC, but they went the way of the dodo.

I wonder how many municipalities are spending Homeland Security grants to buy generators and othe heavy equipment while we leave them in the sand box.

[TexasFreeper2009]

wow, man I need to brush up on my geography, I thought they bordered each other. I must of been thinking of Afghanistan and Pakistan

[pfflier]

Thank you. Another voice of reason presents a simple fact that others seemed to have missed. Can you imagine the cost effectiveness of shipping a ten year old air conditioner?

[GreyFriar]

That photo is not of US Navy folks getting rid of US Huey, but pushing a Vietnamese owned Huey overboard to make room for others that were flying out of Saigon and other places when the North Vietnamese Regular Army defeated the supply starved (courtesy of the Democrat controlled Congress) in April 1975.

Take note of the red outline of the star and bar insignia and that the inside of the bar is yellow with red stripe, thus the South Vietnamese flag.