Pentagon rushing 10,000 jammers to Iraq (to counter roadside bombs)

[Barrett808]

Washington, DC, May. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has approved $10 million to rush 10,000 new jammers to Iraq to help combat roadside bombs, Pentagon officials said Thursday.

The $10 million is being released under an emergency authorization provision approved by Congress that lets the Pentagon move up to $100 million without going through the standard reporting procedures so long as it is done for troop force protection reasons.

"We are replacing miles of paperwork and lots of bureaucracy with personal accountability," said House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.

Each of the jammers costs $1,000. They were just tested last month and will be flooded into Iraq in the next two months, CQ Today reported this week.

(more)

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050505-052026-1653r.htm