Logistical Costs Burden Operations In Afghanistan

Wars are expensive there is no doubt. As part of the planning for adding troops to Afghanistan the U.S. Department of Defense was asked why it costs about a $1 billion a year for a 1,000 soldiers to operate there. One of the main expenses it turns out is fuel. To get one gallon of JP8 to a soldier or airman who needs it costs about $400 if all related costs are taken into account. This figure alone is giving Congress second thoughts.

That is because the gas is shipped to Pakistan and then trucked to Afghanistan. To get it to the various outposts and bases sometimes requires aircraft and helicopters. For a helicopter to carry a gallon of gas probably takes a few gallons of gas and at a high maintenance rate. There is also the cost of all the personnel and contractors to handle the gas and supplies.

This should not really surprise anyone. In John Ellis’ book about World War II soldiers, On The Front Lines, he estimated it took about eleven personnel to support one front line soldier in the Pacific and almost ten in the European. That counted everyone who touched a ton of supplies as it moved from the U.S. to the actual soldier. That cost alone was fairly high. Take into account the gas used to move it and the maintenance of the ships, trucks and aircraft and the costs go up even more. Afghanistan is remote and costs even more.

L-3 contracted for laser marksmanship tech

September 22, 2009 by admin · Comment
Filed under: Syndicated Industry News 

NEW YORK, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has awarded L-3 Communications a follow-on contract to deliver its laser-based marksmanship simulator system designed to support soldier training.

DRC to evaluate Army training programs

August 26, 2009 by admin · Comment
Filed under: Syndicated Industry News 

ANDOVER, Mass., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has awarded Dynamics Research Corp. seven task orders to provide evaluation services of soldier training programs.

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