http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/20...omalia-062611/
"Pentagon sending $45M in equipment to Somalia
By Lolita C. Baldor - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Jun 26, 2011 14:45:32 EDT
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is sending nearly $45 million in military equipment, including four small drones, to Uganda and Burundi to help battle the escalating terror threat in Somalia.
The latest aid, laid out in documents obtained by The Associated Press, comes as attacks intensify in Somalia against the al-Qaida-linked terror group al-Shabab, including an airstrike late Thursday that hit a militant convoy, killing a number of foreign fighters, according to officials there.
U.S. officials, including incoming Pentagon chief Leon Panetta, have warned that the threat from al-Shabab is growing, and the group is developing stronger ties with the Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. Panetta told lawmakers earlier this month that as the core al-Qaida leadership in Pakistan undergoes leadership changes, with the killing of Osama bin Laden, the U.S. needs to make sure that the group does not relocate to Somalia.
The Pentagon plan is aimed at helping to build the counterterrorism of Uganda and Burundi, two African Union nations that have sent about 9,000 peacekeeping forces to Somalia. The military aid includes four small, shoulder-launched Raven drones, body armor, night-vision gear, communications and heavy construction equipment, generators and surveillance systems. Training is also provided with the equipment.
In addition, the Pentagon will send $4.4 million in communications and engineering equipment to Uganda."
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As for the "military industrial complex" .... that is pocket change .... on surplus. For the anti-military groupies on here, look at like a jobs program from a stimulus package. Rather than passing out "Lone Star" cards or union jobs to build a bankrupt solar panel company, clean up some dusty stuff off the shelves and have a garage sale to raise some bucks, even if it is only $45 million. Besides if you want to dismantle our military what are you going to do with the "stuff" ... sell it for domestic hunting equipment?
As for the motivation, looks like an "end around" through Uganda. .... and for you "old grunts" ....through South Vietnam to Cambodia and Laos.
As for SE Asia experience, when JFK was sworn "we" had roughly 8,000 on the ground and were flying almost daily (weather permitting) sorties into Cambodia and Loas .... JFK was not "briefed" until after he was sworn.
If we can clean up some in Somalia the disruption in Somalia will be worthwhile.
Now we are in Uganda
