U.S. Looks at "Localizing" Convoys in Iraq

Defense newsletter Inside the Army takes a fascinating look (sorry subscription only) at nascent plans to "localize" convoys in Iraq:

*The Army is studying the feasibility of creating a locally staffed trucking network in Iraq in order to reduce the number of U.S. and allied military personnel on the road, where they are vulnerable to attacks using improvised explosive devices. *

The study is expected to examine whether “convoy relief” could be provided to the military by allowing local Iraqi trucking companies to take on responsibilities for moving military support supplies and mail to U.S. bases. The Army envisions forming an Iraq Truck Network using privately owned Iraqi companies to form a joint venture.

In an April 27 interview with Inside the Army, retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey called the plan “an incredibly good idea.”

The idea is clear: substituting Iraqis for U.S. soldiers would cut down on U.S. casualties, but it's got some down points, too. For example, it could just increase deaths among Iraqis. McCaffrey also acknowledged that a “huge pilferage rate” could be a problem. McCaffrey, however, seems to have an overall rosey view of the situation:

When asked whether such an enterprise would be vulnerable to the same type of infiltration experienced by the Iraqi police, which have been dominated by sectarian death squads in certain parts of the country, McCaffrey said that was an unlikely scenario. He said individuals operating convoys under the new system would be subject to greater U.S. scrutiny.

Huh? You mean greater scrutiny than for members of the Iraqi security forces? Just by way of reminder, McCaffrey is the former White House Drug Czar whose war against drugs focused on disrupting supply lines for illegal narcotics. Okay, now he's trying to protect supply lines.

At least he's honest: “This does add another card to a logistics system that I have already classified as a house of cards,” he said.