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Iraq
Army to Send Even Better Body Armor to Iraq
2006-01-12
The Army plans to send thousands of ceramic body armor plates to Iraq this year to better protect soldiers while the Marine Corps already is delivering such gear, military officers said Wednesday. In a private appearance before members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the officers defended the body armor available to U.S. troops. A Pentagon study done last summer but only disclosed recently found that improved armor may have prevented or minimized torso wounds that proved fatal to Marines in Iraq. The committee chairman, Sen. John Warner, said he was satisfied the military was ensuring that U.S. troops had adequate body armor. ``Everything that can be done, is being done,'' said Warner, R-Va.

But some Democrats urged more congressional oversight on body-armor issues. ``Our soldiers and their families deserve nothing less,'' Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said in a statement.
Well yeah, but it's not like you know what they need.
After the briefing, Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson said the Army decided to send soldiers side protective plates after troops driving military vehicles made the suggestion over the past year. He said the Army has finished determining the specifications for the plates and hopes to begin production soon that 230,000 sets can be provided this year. Sorenson said the protective vest that soldiers now wear has been improved seven times. ``It already has some side protections'' that were added a year ago, he said. The vest also contains ceramic plates covering the chest and back.
Continuous improvement and a willingness to listen to what the soldiers need.
Army spokesman Paul Boyce said soldiers in Iraq will get 3 pound ceramic side plates as well as the Velcro-attached pouches into which the plates will fit on the vest.

The Marine Corps said that since June it has shipped to Iraq 9,000 sets of side plates and that a total of 28,000 will be in the combat zone by April. ``We're fielding the best body armor and equipment available, we think, in the world today, and as we have the opportunity to upgrade the equipment, we do that,'' Marine Maj. Gen. William Catto said.
Posted by:Steve White

#10  I'm torn on this issue. My son is a young Marine who served in Iraq with the 3/2. Marines did take casualties that could possibly have been prevented by the addition of these new side body plates. However, summer temps can reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit in Iraq and that puts one hell of a stress on the body when hauling all of the gear that these Marines are required to carry. I know of many boys that were overcome by that heat. Add to that the potential loss of mobility. It makes me wonder if we could be doing more harm than good. Though I know the intentions are sincere. I know there are people out there working to develop a more light weight protective plate. I've met some of those people. Lets all hope that one of them makes a breakthrough soon.
Posted by: Buzzsaw   2006-01-12 18:07  

#9  But some Democrats urged more congressional oversight on body-armor issues.

Oh, great! Boy, nothing would kill initiative and inventiveness quicker than congressional oversight. Not to mention stretching out development times and increasing costs. Somebody please shoot this bunch of idiots before they cost us another war.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2006-01-12 16:14  

#8  Six pounds is a ton of weight to add to what they already wear. Are they even going to wear that stuff once they get it?
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2006-01-12 13:28  

#7  6 pounds doesn't sound like a lot but any added weight makes a difference. How much ammo or other stuff will be left? One of the problems on D-Day in Europe was the soldiers, (airborne and infantry) were overloaded, many of them carrying over 100 pounds of stuff. There are the quick and there are the dead. Speed makes a BIG difference.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2006-01-12 11:18  

#6  "Sorenson said the protective vest that soldiers now wear has been improved seven times." Sounds like they are doing exactly what should be done: Find flaws and improve. Teddy and Shillary think that if we add another 50 pounds of armor each soldier will be invincible. Idiots!
Posted by: Cyber Sarge   2006-01-12 10:48  

#5  Do HUMVEES float? Well, they should...
Posted by: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy   2006-01-12 09:46  

#4  ``Our soldiers and their families deserve nothing less,'' Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said in a statement.

Just like Mary Jo Kopechne, eh, Senator?
Posted by: Raj   2006-01-12 08:39  

#3  The committee chairman, Sen. John Warner, said he was satisfied the military was ensuring that U.S. troops had adequate body armor. ``Everything that can be done, is being done,'' said Warner, R-Va. ......Congressman Barney Franks D-MA indicated he was taking personal interest in the utility and functionality of velcro cod pieces.
Posted by: Besoeker   2006-01-12 07:20  

#2  How much do the ceramic inserts for the side weigh, per square inch of coverage?
Posted by: Phil   2006-01-12 01:02  

#1  So just adding the two side plates adds 6 pounds to the vest?

I can't help but wonder if titanium plate might be better... believe it or not, there's one company manufacturing titanium and/or ceramic and/or other composites (they're a little secretive) scale mail (with circular scales).
Posted by: Phil   2006-01-12 01:02  

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