Or: U.S. Military Gets the Shaft in Iraq
Corrected as per G2geek's comment.
Sgt. Jason Young of the 4th Infantry Division called NPR's "Car Talk" guys Tom and Ray from Baghdad for advice on how to keep heavily armored Humvees operating in a hostile environment.
Sgt. Young: With the "op tempo" and the roads around here, we frequently go through ball joints, shocks, springs, a-arms, tie-rod ends, and we change them out every 30 to 60 days.
I gather the "op tempo" Sgt. Young refers to is "fast and furious."
More.
Tom and Ray's advice: Grease the ball joints daily. Keep lots of spare parts on hand. And replace parts before they wear out.
The segment was lighthearted and heartbreaking at the same time, another reminder that, after three and a half years in Iraq, our soldiers are still struggling with inadequate equipment and equipment shortages. Makes you wonder where all the money is going.
All the best to Sgt. Young. Stay safe.
Cross posted at guerrilla noises