thedrifter
03-04-06, 07:23 AM
O.C. Antiballistic Armor Given to Marine Unit
By Jean O. Pasco, Times Staff Writer
March 4, 2006
Along with the prayers and family mementos, a Marine unit deployed to Iraq in late January left with something extra courtesy of Orange County government: surplus antiballistic armor.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department donated 125 outdated bulletproof vests and 805 protective panels to the Marines, which will be used to line military vehicles in Iraq.
Troops there are especially vulnerable to being killed or injured by roadside bombs from insurgents. Such bombings have been blamed for more than half of U.S. combat deaths in Iraq.
County supervisors unanimously approved the gift retroactively this week. The unit that received the vests faced imminent deployment in January and there wasn't time to get the board's permission in advance, according to a Sheriff's Department memo.
Supervisor Chris Norby said he was happy to join his colleagues in approving the donation. However, he said he was dismayed that the Marines needed the donated armor.
"We're happy to do our part to help our troops, but if the federal government relies on surplus county property to protect our troops, it raises questions about the level of protection they have," Norby said.
Sheriff's officials declined to provide more details about the donation, including which unit received the materials and who requested them.
A Marine Corps spokesman said Friday that the gifts were not solicited.
All vehicles leaving "forward operating bases" in Iraq are outfitted with the necessary amount of armor, Marine Lt. Lawton King said from Camp Pendleton. "That is in compliance with improved standards that we are strictly enforcing," he said.
However, he said, the Marines appreciate the generosity of citizens and organizations.
The Orange County vests and panels were going to be destroyed if they hadn't been given to the Marines. In use for more than nine years, the vests and panels were vulnerable to being punctured by current types of ammunition, according to the Sheriff's Department memo.
Ellie
By Jean O. Pasco, Times Staff Writer
March 4, 2006
Along with the prayers and family mementos, a Marine unit deployed to Iraq in late January left with something extra courtesy of Orange County government: surplus antiballistic armor.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department donated 125 outdated bulletproof vests and 805 protective panels to the Marines, which will be used to line military vehicles in Iraq.
Troops there are especially vulnerable to being killed or injured by roadside bombs from insurgents. Such bombings have been blamed for more than half of U.S. combat deaths in Iraq.
County supervisors unanimously approved the gift retroactively this week. The unit that received the vests faced imminent deployment in January and there wasn't time to get the board's permission in advance, according to a Sheriff's Department memo.
Supervisor Chris Norby said he was happy to join his colleagues in approving the donation. However, he said he was dismayed that the Marines needed the donated armor.
"We're happy to do our part to help our troops, but if the federal government relies on surplus county property to protect our troops, it raises questions about the level of protection they have," Norby said.
Sheriff's officials declined to provide more details about the donation, including which unit received the materials and who requested them.
A Marine Corps spokesman said Friday that the gifts were not solicited.
All vehicles leaving "forward operating bases" in Iraq are outfitted with the necessary amount of armor, Marine Lt. Lawton King said from Camp Pendleton. "That is in compliance with improved standards that we are strictly enforcing," he said.
However, he said, the Marines appreciate the generosity of citizens and organizations.
The Orange County vests and panels were going to be destroyed if they hadn't been given to the Marines. In use for more than nine years, the vests and panels were vulnerable to being punctured by current types of ammunition, according to the Sheriff's Department memo.
Ellie