The United States military expeditions in Iraq began in high gear. The military operations quickly brought down Sadam Hussein’s reign. un- able to counter the power of the, United States of America combatants the Iraq soldiers resorted to, counterrisurgency operations, often staged on complex urban terrain. The change in venue and operational tempo left U.s Troops, in their lightly armored vehicles exposed to road side attacks from improvised explosive devices. Michael J. Sullivan (2009:56-67)
The American Department of Defense responded, with a $25 billion dollar plan, to acquire Mine Resistant Ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles. To shield their soldiers from attacks because, these trucks are best suited to protect troops from IEDs. Initially it looked like an ideal solution to the us problems in Iraq. The (MRAP) did solve the issue of roadside insurgent attacks, because of the vehicle’s height and weight besides its V –shaped under carriage which deflects the force of IEDs away from the vehicle.
The situation surrounding the war in Iraq could not allow the U.s Department of defense, to put in place the necessary sustainable and maintenance logistics, before the procurement of vehicles. The hurried up procurement of 15,000 (MRAPs) has presented formidable challenges to maintenance and sustainment of vehicles in theatre.
In order to contain the situation the D.O.D has to come up with sustainable plan and methods. The U.S military should work hand in hand with, MRAP suppliers to oversee maintenance and sustainability by allowing contractors to work together with military mechanics. When the military men gain, the necessary skills they will be left on their own. Paul J and Bolt, Daemon (2005:25-29).
The original MRAP original equipment manufacturers should come up with a new model of vehicles. The vehicles that will make available the spare-parts based on the technology similar to that of MRAP all terrain vehicles. MRAPAT is built on the marine tactical vehicle replacement (MTVR), chassis. This caters for the compatibility of some parts hence reducing the logistics burden for the U.s military.
The vehicle manufacturers should make new vehicles alongside their spare parts, that is for every MRAP manufactured there should be similar duplicate parts. Besides, companies should involve themselves in the producing factory trained technicians, in the form of field representative in theatre to give instructions and advice or provide maintenance and repair. The equipments’ manufactured should be able to be repaired at the lowest maintenance costs.
Communication network in a war context is very important. The speedy procurement of MRAP got the communication equipment suppliers unaware hence they had to device a method to fit the communication gargets within a short time. They also need to work with uniformed network operators, so as to train them to fix the communication gargets and troubleshooting the devices. They also need to send their few field representatives alongside the military force to their operation bases to set up communication units.
To ensure that all these programs are realized the MRAP should be funded through the normal budgetary process as opposed to special wartime appropriation alongside the incorporation of MRAPs in the military and marine structures. Thomas p, (2006:204-204)
REFERENCES.
1. Michael J. Sullivan (2009). Rapid Acquisition of MRAP Vehicles Defense Acquisitions
2. Paul J and Bolt, Daemon (2005) American defense policy, THU press.
3. Thomas p, (2006) the pentagon’s New Map, Berkley books.
