Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Iraq has been grabbing U.S. military surplus ahead of the
American withdrawal in late 2011.

Officials said the Iraqi military expects to acquire nearly $1 billion
of U.S. military surplus by the end of the year. They said the Iraqi Defense
Ministry has already agreed to receive more than $300 million worth of
American equipment.

“They never say no,” U.S. Army Sgt. William Rivera said.

Officials said the U.S. military transfer to Iraq was taking place even
as negotiations continued for an extension of a small American force in the
Arab League state. They said more than 3.3 million pieces of American
military equipment have been transferred to Iraq since 2009, including everything
from body armor to combat vehicles.

Under military regulations, U.S. Central Command, also fighting a war in
Afghanistan, was granted first right of refusal. After two weeks, the
equipment would be made available to the Iraqi military.

Much of the equipment provided to Iraq was non-combat, including mobile
homes, refrigerators and Kevlar body vests. Officials said another surplus
item has been the Humvee combat vehicle. Already, the Iraqi military was
absorbing 8,500 Humvees.

The equipment claimed by Centcom has been driven by truck to
neighboring Kuwait. So far, the U.S. military has moved more than 900 tons
of material per month out of Iraq.

  Arab League, Army Sgt. William Rivera, Kuwait, U.S. Central Command, U.S. military, U.S. military surplus bonanza: Iraq to have acquired $1 billion’s worth by year’s end