Logistics managers for the military services in Iraq are planning the transport of eight years of war materiel within months. It is uncertain whether US bases will remain in Iraq next year, and logistics staff estimate that they will have to arrange the shipping of about 1 million pieces, either to other locations or within the country.
Service members say their units are reluctant to ship out equipment until they know the outcome of bilateral talks.
“As quickly as I can move a (shipping) container out, another one comes in,” said Sgt. 1st Class William Rivera Junior, a supply sergeant at Forward Operating Base Union III in Baghdad’s International Zone.