Military Leaders Did Nothing about Known Bomb Threats in Iraq

An internal Pentagon investigation that was recently obtained by the Associated Press indicates that the Marine Corps left U.S. troops stationed in Iraq vulnerable to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by ignoring a request from Corps commanders for specially-armored vehicles designed to withstand such blasts. The initial request for such armored vehicles came in February 2005 but was apparently not heeded, even though the supped-up Humvees, referred to as "MRAPs," were available commercially prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The report noted that, "as a result, the department entered into operations in Iraq without having taken available steps to acquire technology to mitigate the known mine and IED risk to soldiers and Marines." Senator Kit Bond, R-MO, a big critic of the U.S. military’s wartime procurement and distribution procedures called the report footnote the most "damning conclusion" and went on to say, "It appears that some bureaucrats at the Pentagon have much to explain to the families of America troops who were killed or maimed when a lifesaving solution was within reach."

The inquiry into the supposed transgressions was undertaken by the inspector general after complaints by Franz Gayl, a civilian defense official who accused the Marine Corps of "gross mismanagement" that caused the long delay in having the MRAPs shipped to Iraq. Though the report does not directly link the Marine Corps’ failure to provide MRAPs in a timely manner to the death or injury of particular soldiers, or to particular instances of damaging IEDs, the report is sure to cause a stir both internally at the Pentagon and with families of fallen servicemen and women.