Military

DATE=10/18/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= U.S. MILITARY/IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-319754

BYLINE= NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE= PENTAGON

HEADLINE: US Military Unit in Iraq Refuses Mission, Blaming Equipment Shortages

INTRO: The U.S. military in Iraq is investigating a case of insubordination among as many as 19 reservists who refused orders last week to take part in a re-supply mission, saying they lacked the proper equipment to carry out the mission. From the Pentagon, Correspondent Nick Simeone tells us the American general who until recently was the senior commander of U.S. forces in Iraq says he has also made similar complaints about equipment shortages to the Pentagon.

TEXT: The Army has confirmed a Washington Post (newspaper) report that Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, the top U.S. commander in Iraq until earlier this year, had informed the Pentagon that equipment shortages, including a lack of body armor, were threatening the ability of his troops to maintain military readiness and engage in combat.

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"That came right at the end of a high operational tempo where a lot of activities were taking place and the insurgency had peaked."

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Army Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Healy:

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"There were logistical challenges and I think he just wanted to ensure that they were being addressed and be able to meet his needs. And today, every one of the readiness areas mentioned in that letter is at a high state of readiness so I guess that would show that General Sanchez did get what he wanted."

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While the Army maintains General Sanchez received everything he requested, last week a group of American reservists refused to carry out an order saying they were assigned unworthy vehicles and otherwise not properly equipped to take on a re-supply mission in a combat zone. The military is describing that incident as a temporary breakdown in discipline.

On American Television (ABC), Johnny Coates, the father of one of the reservists, says his son told him how his unit felt troops were not properly equipped for such a dangerous assignment.

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"The heavy armor was broke down and the truck was broke down, and he said it felt like it was a suicide mission to go back out there again and break down and risk his life."

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The military acknowledges the reservists who refused orders raised valid issues. Their commanding officer is Brigadier General James Chambers, who says steps will be taken to insure the problem has been addressed.

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"Vehicles will be thoroughly inspected and the unit will retrain and certify for their mission. We will also assess armor protection for each of their vehicles and make an assessment to provide additional steel plating if it is required."

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It will now be up to military investigators to determine whether the incident amounted to a violation of the Uniform Military Code of Justice and if so, whether to bring charges in a court martial.

///REST OPT///EDS. FOLLOWING ACTUALITY ALSO IN MALONE/KERRY MONDAY///

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has raised the issue of equipment and manpower shortages throughout the campaign for next month's presidential election. During a speech in Florida he said the latest reports show President Bush is not giving the troops in Iraq everything they need to win the war.

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"Despite the president's arrogant boasting that he has done everything right in Iraq and that he has made no mistakes, the truth is beginning to come out and it is beginning to catch up with him."

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President Bush, the Republican Party candidate, declined to comment, saying he will leave it to military officials to respond to the newspaper reports. During the campaign, Mr. Bush has repeatedly said the U.S. military is supplied everything it needs to carry out its mission. (SIGNED)

NEB/NJS/KBK/RAE