Eric Umansky

Marines seriously underequipped in Iraq

Historically, the Marines  have always been stuck with b-list equipment. But this is  remarkable, from the Boston Globe:

WASHINGTON -- Marine Corps units fighting in some of the most dangerous terrain in Iraq don't have enough weapons, communications gear, or properly outfitted vehicles, according to an investigation by the Marine Corps' inspector general provided to Congress yesterday.

The report, obtained by the Globe, says the estimated 30,000 Marines in Iraq need twice as many heavy machine guns, more fully protected armored vehicles, and more communications equipment to operate in a region the size of Utah.

The Marine Corps leadership has ''understated" the amount and types of ground equipment it needs, according to the investigation, concluding that all of its fighting units in Iraq ''require ground equipment that exceeds" their current supplies, ''particularly in mobility, engineering, communications, and heavy weapons."

[...]

The report says that about a quarter of the Second Marine Expeditionary Force's Humvees lack sufficient armor to protect troops against roadside bombings, including 1,000 vehicles that have yet to be fitted with armor plates to protect the undercarriage.

Check out the accompanying graphic:

Read the article. But here's the question that it leaves me with:  Why is this happening? I don't mean that rhetorically. I mean, is this just another example of how in reality our military just can't keep up its current rate of operations?  And if Marine commanders have 'understated' the problem, then why?  There's a larger context going on here, and I'm not sure I grasp it.

(HT: Stygius)

"All we are doing around here is getting blown up."

The AP's Fisnik Abrashi hangs out with Marines near the Syrian border, who said they're under-staffed, under-armored, and overwhelmed:

"We are losing guys left and right," says Cpl. Cody King, 20, of Phoenix, not hiding his anger. "All we are doing around here is getting blown up."

But here's what's most interesting:

In recent months, Marine fatalities have exceeded Army deaths — even though the Army has at least three times as many troops in Iraq.

It is difficult to pinpoint the reasons for the unusually high death toll for the Marines because they limit details on the circumstances of battle deaths to either "enemy action" or "non-combat related." The Army specifies the type of weapon that caused the death as well as the city where it happened.

"After you lose so many Marines, you just keep fighting to stay alive," says King, the son of a Vietnam veteran.

But for some of the Marines, lack of armor, few vehicles and too restrictive rules of engagement are partly to blame.

"We need more armor, more vehicles and more bodies," says King.

One possibility that isn't mentioned: The Marines are in charge of the most FUBAR province, al-Anbar. But in any case, the Marines' much higher casualties is a story waiting to be done.